Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 21, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

AUG150527     BEAUTY #3 CVR A HAUN (MR)     $3.50
AUG150528     BEAUTY #3 CVR B MITTEN (MR)     $3.50
AUG150529     BEAUTY #3 CVR C HAUN (MR)     $3.50
AUG150533     EMPTY ZONE #5 (MR)     $3.50
AUG150534     FADE OUT #10 (MR)     $3.50
AUG150523     INVINCIBLE #124     $2.99
AUG150537     ODDLY NORMAL TP VOL 02     $9.99
AUG150540     REYN #9     $2.99
AUG150543     SHUTTER #16 (MR)     $3.99
AUG150606     SUPERFIGHT CARD GAME CORE DECK     $35.00
JUN150585     TALES OF HONOR BRED TO KILL #3 CVR A SEJIC     $3.99
JUN150586     TALES OF HONOR BRED TO KILL #3 CVR B EKEDAL     $3.99
AUG150549     TITHE #6 CVR A EKEDAL     $3.99
AUG150550     TITHE #6 CVR B SEVY     $3.99
AUG150517     TOKYO GHOST #2 CVR A MURPHY & HOLLINGSWORTH (MR)     $3.99
AUG150518     TOKYO GHOST #2 CVR B MURPHY (MR)     $3.99
AUG150552     WOLF #4 (MR)     $3.50

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

AUG152558     ASSASSINS CREED IV HIDDEN BLADE GAUNTLET     PI
SEP150643     WALKING DEAD TV BUILD SET BMB SER 3     PI
SEP150648     WALKING DEAD TV BUILD SET BOILER ROOM     PI
SEP150639     WALKING DEAD TV BUILD SET DALES RV     PI
SEP150647     WALKING DEAD TV BUILD SET HOSPITAL DOORS     PI
SEP150641     WALKING DEAD TV BUILD SET PRISON CATWALK     PI
SEP150646     WALKING DEAD TV BUILD SET PRISON CELLS     PI
SEP150644     WALKING DEAD TV BUILD SET WALKER BARRIER     PI
SEP150640     WALKING DEAD TV BUILD SET WB ASSAULT VEH     PI
SEP150645     WALKING DEAD TV BUILD SET WOODBURY ARENA     PI

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 21, 2015

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUN151274     ADULT CONTEMPORARY GN (MR)     $26.95
AUG151260     ADVENTURE TIME FIONNA & CAKE CARD WARS #4     $3.99
AUG151261     ADVENTURE TIME FIONNA & CAKE CARD WARS #4 SUB TERRACE     $3.99
AUG151218     ADVENTURE TIME TP VOL 07     $14.99
JUL151578     AKUMA NO RIDDLE GN VOL 01 RIDDLE STORY OF DEVIL     $12.99
AUG151368     ALICE COOPER VS CHAOS #2 RARE CHIN VIRGIN ED     $50.00
AUG151369     ALIENS VAMPIRELLA #2 RARE HARDMAN VIRGIN ED     $50.00
AUG151607     ARAB OF THE FUTURE GRAPHIC MEMOIR SC     $26.00
JUL151452     ATTACK ON TITAN COLOSSAL ED TP VOL 02     $49.99
AUG151016     BABY BLUES COLLECTION TP NO YELLING     $18.99
JUN151451     BAD MACHINERY VOL 04 CASE OF THE LONELY ONE     $19.99
AUG151617     BEHIND STORY GN VOL 02     $11.99
AUG151068     BETTY & VERONICA #278 REG CONNECTING CVR A PARENT     $3.99
SEP151739     BIG HERO 6 MANGA GN VOL 02     $12.00
AUG151239     BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA #17     $3.99
AUG151726     BLACKLIST #4 REG LOBEL     $3.99
AUG151727     BLACKLIST #4 SUBSCRIPTION PHOTO     $3.99
JUL151277     BLADE DANCE OF ELEMENTALERS GN VOL 01     $12.95
SEP151273     BOBS BURGERS ONGOING #3 RARE AGUINALDO VIRGIN ED     $50.00
AUG151762     BOOK OF DEATH FALL OF X-O MANOWAR #1 CVR A NORD (ONE SHOT)     $3.99
AUG151763     BOOK OF DEATH FALL OF X-O MANOWAR #1 CVR B SEGOVIA (ONE SHOT     $3.99
APR151707     CAPTAIN STONE VOL 1 HC     $24.99
MAY150899     CAVEWOMAN SHORTS #1 CVR B MASSEY     PI
MAY150900     CAVEWOMAN SHORTS #1 CVR D ROOT     PI
JUL151577     CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC ACCELERATOR GN VOL 01     $12.99
AUG151618     CHIRO GN VOL 03 STAR PROJECT     $11.99
AUG151814     CLAYMORE COMPLETE BOX SET     $214.99
AUG151188     COGNETIC #1 MAIN CVR     $4.99
AUG151619     CORE SCRAMBLE GN VOL 02     $11.99
SEP151047     CROSSED BADLANDS #75 SCHOOL DAY CVR (MR)     $9.99
SEP151016     CROSSED DEAD OR ALIVE #1 (MR)     $3.99
SEP151017     CROSSED DEAD OR ALIVE #1 ART DECO CVR (MR)     $5.99
SEP151020     CROSSED DEAD OR ALIVE #1 HORROR CVR (MR)     $5.99
SEP151019     CROSSED DEAD OR ALIVE #1 MISSING CVR (MR)     $9.99
SEP151018     CROSSED DEAD OR ALIVE #1 TURBULENCE CVR (MR)     $9.99
SEP151021     CROSSED DEAD OR ALIVE #1 VIP TRIPLE SIGNED CVR (MR)     $19.99
SEP151023     CROSSED DEAD OR ALIVE #2 (MR)     $3.99
SEP151024     CROSSED DEAD OR ALIVE #2 ART DECO CVR (MR)     $5.99
SEP151025     CROSSED DEAD OR ALIVE #2 HORROR CVR (MR)     $5.99
SEP151026     CROSSED DEAD OR ALIVE #2 VIP TRIPLE SIGNED CVR (MR)     $19.99
NOV141002     CROSSED PLUS 100 #2 CGC NUMBERED ED (MR)     $99.99
DEC141106     CROSSED PLUS 100 #3 CGC NUMBERED ED (MR)     $99.99
JAN151339     DAWN VAMPIRELLA #5     $3.99
AUG151730     DEATH SENTENCE LONDON #5 (MR)     $3.99
MAY151337     DF ARCHIE #1 DF EXC LEE CVR WAID SGN     PI
AUG151416     DF GRUMPY CAT #1 DF EXC BENNINGTON     $10.00
JUL151302     DF SECRET WARS #1 DF EXC LAND SGN     PI
SEP151312     DF SECRET WARS #1 DF EXC LTD RED ZECK SGN     PI
SEP151313     DF SECRET WARS #1 DF EXC LTD SILVER ZECK SGN     $69.99
JUL151301     DF SECRET WARS #1 DF EXC ZECK CVR SGN     PI
AUG151717     DOCTOR WHO 10TH YEAR TWO #2 REG RONALD     $3.99
AUG151718     DOCTOR WHO 10TH YEAR TWO #2 SUBSCRIPTION PHOTO     $3.99
JUL151611     DOCTOR WHO 12TH #13 REG HUGHES     $3.99
JUL151612     DOCTOR WHO 12TH #13 SUBSCRIPTION PHOTO     $3.99
APR151712     DOCTOR WHO 9TH #4 REG SHEDD     $3.99
APR151713     DOCTOR WHO 9TH #4 SUBSCRIPTION PHOTO     $3.99
JUN151499     DRONE FATAL ERROR #4     $3.50
SEP151179     EMBER #0 IN FASHION CVR (MR)     $9.99
AUG151237     ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK #11     $3.99
AUG151113     ETERNAL SOULFIRE #4 DIRECT MARKET CVR A     $3.99
AUG151114     ETERNAL SOULFIRE #4 DIRECT MARKET CVR B     $3.99
AUG151115     ETERNAL SOULFIRE #4 DIRECT MARKET CVR C     $3.99
AUG151116     ETERNAL SOULFIRE #4 DIRECT MARKET CVR D     $3.99
JUL150920     FM PRES BORNHOME #3 CVR A JOHNSON     $3.99
JUL150921     FM PRES BORNHOME #3 CVR B ROBERTSON     $3.99
AUG151858     GFT GRIMM TALES OF TERROR VOL 2 #1 A CVR ERIC J (MR)     $3.99
AUG151859     GFT GRIMM TALES OF TERROR VOL 2 #1 B CVR PREITANO (MR)     $3.99
AUG151860     GFT GRIMM TALES OF TERROR VOL 2 #1 C CVR REI (MR)     $3.99
AUG151871     GFT WONDERLAND #40 A CVR MYCHAELS (MR)     $3.99
AUG151872     GFT WONDERLAND #40 B CVR WIMBERLY (MR)     $3.99
AUG151873     GFT WONDERLAND #40 C CVR MEGURO (MR)     $3.99
AUG151254     GIANT DAYS #7     $3.99
AUG151620     GIVE TO THE HEART GN VOL 05     $11.99
JUL150932     GOLD DIGGER HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 2015     $3.99
AUG151366     GRUMPY CAT #1 RARE UY ART & PHOTO VIRGIN ED     $50.00
AUG151246     HACKTIVIST VOL 2 #4     $3.99
JUN151453     HELHEIM TP VOL 02 BRIDES OF HELHEIM     $19.99
AUG151470     HIP HOP FAMILY TREE #3     $3.99
AUG151636     INVADER ZIM #4     $3.99
JUL151203     JON SABLE FREELANCE OMNIBUS TP VOL 02     $39.95
JUN151580     KILL LA KILL GN VOL 01     $12.99
SEP151178     LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #25 SAN DIEGO VIP CVR (MR)     $19.99
SEP151175     LADY DEATH APOCALYPSE #2 CENTURY HINDSIGHT CVR (MR)     $39.99
SEP151176     LADY DEATH APOCALYPSE #6 ART NOUVEAU CVR (MR)     $9.99
SEP151177     LADY DEATH PREMIERE NEW YORK COMIC CON CVR (MR)     $5.99
SEP151180     LADY DEATH SHI #0 PREVIEW COLL BOX SET (MR)     $139.99
AUG151591     LDK GN VOL 01     $10.99
AUG151345     LOOKING FOR GROUP #7     $4.99
AUG151252     LUMBERJANES #19     $3.99
JUL151585     MAGIKA SWORDSMAN & SUMMONER GN VOL 02 (MR)     $12.99
AUG151083     MEGA MAN #54 REG CVR A SPAZ     $3.99
AUG151191     MEMETIC TP     $14.99
JUL150861     MEN OF MYSTERY #98     $29.95
SEP151075     MERCURY HEAT #1 SAN DIEGO COMICON CVR (MR)     $9.99
AUG151280     MESSENGER LEGEND JOAN OF ARC GN HC     $21.99
AUG151011     MISADVENTURES OF SALEM HYDE HC VOL 05 FROZEN FIASCO     $14.95
AUG151010     MISADVENTURES OF SALEM HYDE SC VOL 05 FROZEN FIASCO     $6.95
AUG151531     MISTRY PI #4     $2.99
AUG151799     NINJA SLAYER GN VOL 01 MACHINE OF VENGEANCE (MR)     $12.95
JUL151587     NURSE HITOMIS MONSTER INFIRMARY GN VOL 03 (MR)     $12.99
AUG150942     NUTMEG #5     $3.99
AUG151497     OMAHA BEACH ON D-DAY JUNE 6 1944 HC     $24.99
JUL151588     PANDORA IN THE CRIMSON SHELL GHOST URN GN VOL 02 (MR)     $12.99
JUN151103     PEANUTS TP VOL 06     $13.99
AUG150963     PRINCELESS RAVEN PIRATE PRINCESS #4 MAIN CVR     $3.99
AUG151779     RAI #11 CVR A INTERLOCKING CRAIN     $3.99
AUG151780     RAI #11 CVR B INTERLOCKING CRAIN     $3.99
AUG151781     RAI #11 CVR C SOOK     $3.99
AUG151370     RED SONJA CONAN #3 RARE BENES VIRGIN ED     $50.00
AUG151732     RIVERS OF LONDON #4 (MR)     $3.99
MAY151448     SERPIERI COLLECTION HC VOL 01 (MR)     $22.50
MAY151449     SERPIERI COLLECTION HC VOL 02 (MR)     $22.50
AUG151678     SEVEN PERCENT #2     $3.50
APR151021     SHIELD (DARK CIRCLE) #1 REG CVR     $3.99
AUG151185     SIMPSONS COMICS #224     $2.99
JUL151104     SLEEPY HOLLOW TP VOL 01     $14.99
AUG151001     SNOOPY CONTACT TP     $9.99
JUL150980     SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #277 REG CVR     $3.99
AUG151509     SUNFLOWER #1     $3.99
AUG151621     SWEET BLOOD GN VOL 03     $11.99
AUG151371     SWORDS OF SORROW #6 RARE LUPPACHINO VIRGIN ED     $50.00
JUL151186     TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #94 HALLOWEEN PHOTO CVR (MR)     $19.99
AUG150965     TRANCERS #1 MAIN CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN151350     TRIBES OF KAI GN     $24.95
JUL151597     TWISTED DARK GN VOL 04     $14.99
SEP151048     UBER #25 BRICKHOUSE CVR (MR)     $9.99
AUG151363     VOLTRON FROM THE ASHES #2     $3.99
AUG150997     WALTER DEAN MYERS MONSTER GN     $9.99
AUG150998     WALTER DEAN MYERS MONSTER GN HC     $17.99
JUL151276     WALTZ IN THE CLINIC GN     $12.95
JUN151568     WE LOVE YOU CHARLIE BROWN TP 1957-1959 (TITAN ED)     $6.99
AUG158724     WELCOME BACK #1 (2ND PTG)     $3.99
JUL151082     WILDS END TP VOL 01 FIRST LIGHT     $19.99
AUG151364     WILL EISNER SPIRIT #4 CVR A POWELL     $3.99
JUL150975     WORLD OF ARCHIE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #53     $5.99

MAGAZINES
JUL151559     2000 AD PACK SEP 2015     $26.75
JUL151936     CINEMA RETRO #33 (MR)     $11.99
AUG152037     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1479     PI
AUG152863     DELIRIUM MAGAZINE #7     $10.00
JUN151785     HOBBY JAPAN SEP 2015     $18.00
AUG152031     ILLUSTRATORS MAGAZINE #11     $24.99
AUG152061     LOCUS #657     $7.50
MAY151859     MEGAMI AUG 2015     $18.00
AUG151735     MONSTER HIGH MAGAZINE #16     $4.99
MAY151860     NEWTYPE AUG 2015     $18.00
JUL151926     SCREAM MAGAZINE #32 (MR)     $8.99
AUG152059     WALKING DEAD MAGAZINE #14 NEWSSTAND ED (MR)     $9.99
AUG152060     WALKING DEAD MAGAZINE #14 PX ED (MR)     $9.99

BOOKS
AUG151982     BACK TO THE FUTURE ULTIMATE VISUAL HISTORY HC     $50.00
AUG151916     BEFORE EVER AFTER LOST LECTURES DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIO HC     $40.00
AUG151913     DC SUPER HERO SUPER BABY STARTER LIBRARY     $39.99
JUL151868     DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 84 MEN VANISHED & DEATH HOUSES     $14.95
MAY151779     DOCTOR WHO OFFICAL ANNUAL 2016 HC     $12.99
AUG151931     EXPLORERS GUILD HC NOVEL     $29.99
APR151901     HEAVENS HELL SC     $24.95
JUL151859     JAPANESE ANIMATION HC FROM PAINTED SCROLLS TO POKEMON     $19.98
AUG152010     ORDINARY PEOPLE CHANGE THE WORLD GIFT SET     $50.00
AUG152897     WARHAMMER 40K HONOUR GUARD SC     $14.00
AUG152900     WARHAMMER 40K STORMCALLER SC     $14.00
SEP151650     WORLD OF PROFESSOR LAYTON SC     $39.99
AUG151295     YOU ARE A KITTEN PICK-A-PLOT SC VOL 03 (MR)     $19.95

Nisekoi: Bouquet

I read Nisekoi: False Love, Vol. 11

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Review: SUPERMAN #41

SUPERMAN #41
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Gene Luen Yang
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr.
INKS: Klaus Janson
COLORS: Dean White
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: John Romita, Jr. and Klaus Janson with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER: Karl Kerschl (Joker 75th anniversary cover)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

“Before Truth” Part 1

DC Comics' new-look slash new-direction, “DCYou,” not only means the launch of new comic book series, but it also means a change for ongoing titles.  One of those titles taking on a new direction is Superman, featuring the debut of acclaimed graphic novelist, Gene Luen Yang, as the series' new regular writer.  The art team of Superman remains the same as it has been for the last year:  John Romita, Jr. (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks), with colorist Dean White and letterer Rob Leigh.

Superman #41 (“Before Truth” Part 1) opens with a tease of what is to come for Superman.  The story returns to the “present” with Clark Kent still dealing with the changes in his Superman powers and abilities.  Something else that is new in Kent's life is unknown figures who sends mysterious text messages that offer tips about the kind of illegal activities that Superman fights.

One tip guides Kent and Jimmy Olsen, who now knows that Clark is Superman, to the underground factory of a black market, hi-teach weapons dealer.  It is indeed a hot and accurate tip, but what are the real motives of this “unknown source?”  And how does it affect Superman's future?

Although I am aware of Gene Luen Yang's work, I have never read any of it.  I was curious about how he would approach Superman, but I expected only a minor change in tone.  Boy, was I wrong.  Everything about Superman #41 seems fresh and, in some instances, new.  This is a Superman that looks forward, with hope and possibility and ready for whatever comes with change.  I think that Superman has always been about tomorrow, about hope, and about the new.  The character grows moribund when the status quo takes hold for years at a time.

In fact, I think that Yang is a better Superman writer for John Romita, Jr.  Previous Superman writer, Geoff Johns, played to Romita's ability to summon the spirit of Jack Kirby in creating king-sized brawls between super-powered beings.  Yang plays to Romita's strengths as a storyteller who is both inventive and imaginative, also to his ability to change mood, tone, and atmosphere within a single chapter.  So this new direction for Superman is about both Gene Luen Yang and John Romita, Jr.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Tiger & Bunny: Boss Ouroboros

I read Tiger & Bunny, Vol. 7

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Review: FARLAINE THE GOBLIN, Trade Paperback Volume 1

FARLAINE THE GOBLIN, VOL. 1
STUDIO FARLAINE – @TreeGoblin

CARTOONIST: Anonymous
MISC. ART: Jean-Francois Beaulieu; Darrenn E. Canton; Jason May; Jyrki Vainio
ISBN:  978-0-9890058-3-8; paperback (August 2014)
136pp, B&W with some color; $13.00 U.S.

Farlaine the Goblin is a series of graphic novels written and drawn by Anonymous, a cartoonist also credited as “J.”  I think his name is Jean-Francois Beaulieu (which seems obvious to me, at least).  Studio Farlaine recently published Farlaine the Goblin, Book 4, which is available in comic book shops via Diamond Distributors.

J. sent me a review copy of Farlaine the Goblin, Trade Paperback, Volume 1.  This paperback (landscape dimensions 11.8” x 7.75”) reprints Farlaine the Goblin: Book 1 (The Tinklands); Book 2 (The Saltlands); and Book 3 (The Racelands).  It also includes bonus material, such as development art and early Farlaine comics, and a prequel adventure, “The Tinderlands.”

The series focuses on Farlaine the Goblin.  He is a tree goblin and a shaman from the forest of Fin-Din.  He has spent many years wandering the many Oddlands of Wug in search of a forest that he can call his own.  His companion is Ehrenwort, a tree he carries in a sack on his back; Farlaine also talks to Ehrenwort, whom he describes as his “Verdan.”

As Book 1: The Tinklands begins, Farlaine only has 10 lands left in which he can search for his own forest.  When he encounters a group of aggressive rotund robots, the Tinks, Farlaine finds himself on the run.  In Book 2: The Saltlands, Farlaine meets people made of salt and discovers that they are so desperate for shelter that they have tricked someone into seemingly permanent indentured servitude.  In Book 3: The Racelands, Farlaine may have found his forest, but he will have to race for it.

Apparently, Anonymous is self-publishing his Farlaine the Goblin series because he could not find a publisher to take on the series.  That is surprising considering all the publishers that claim to want to publish graphic novels for young readers.

Farlaine the Goblin is an imaginative series that mixes fantasy with situation comedy.  It is appropriate for young readers, but does not condescend to young readers, nor does it seek to be safe.  The stories are active and action-oriented without being explicitly or aggressively violent.  Don't be put off, you grown folks; Farlaine the Goblin will captivate both teen and adult readers.

Anonymous is a talented cartoonist who is quite skilled at producing black and white comics, and his color art has a quality similar to children's picture books.  His stories present obstacles and dilemmas that are honest and genuine with sensible and imaginative resolutions.  I expect this series to improve in terms of story and art with each volume, as the cartoonist seems like the kind of artist who is always growing, just like Farlaine grows trees.

facebook.com/FarlianeTheGoblin

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

World Trigger: Repel Thy Neighbor!

I read World Trigger, Vol. 6

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.