Review: The Adventures of NIKKI HARRIS the Cybermation Witch #11

THE ADVENTURES OF NIKKI HARRIS THE CYBERMATION WITCH No. 11
CANDLE LIGHT PRESS/Warning Comics – @candlelightpres @attila71

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Carter Allen – @attila71
28pp, Color, $3.00 U.S. (2017)

The Fall of Nikki Harris, Part 2: “In the Grip of Evil”

The long-running independent sci-fi/space fantasy/adventure/humor comic book, The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch, is racing towards a conclusion.  When last we saw her, Nikki Harris (cybermation witch and sci-fi heroine) she had to play it like former President... I mean... former Vice-President Dick Cheney and take it to the dark side.  The result was the corruption and transformation our beloved space super woman.

The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch #11 (“In the Grip of Evil”) opens on Earth.  Nikki is no more; she is now Siste Søster, and she is doing the damn evil thing.  The battle with Green Stygma forced Nikki to turn all bad guy, and Stygma's now her pal and partner.  But can Siste Søster prove to the evil cybermation witches that this ain't no sister act and that she is no longer Nikki Harris?  A sacrifice is needed, while in orbit above Earth, the real power plots.

I can say this every time:  The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch is always entertaining.  I can say this every time:  it not only gets better with each issue, but it also offers some new, novel treat with each installment.  I can also say this every time:  creator Carter Allen embraces the inherent weirdness of comic books and presents his readers with inventive characters.

The shame of it all is that Nikki Harris #11 is apparently the penultimate issue of the series.  Nikki Harris is ending it all just when she is hitting her stride.  She glows all alabaster in Carter Allen's art, which recalls the late Patrick Nagel in terms of style, if not in execution and rendering.

One good thing about the race towards the end is that the Lovecraftian touches in this series become as obvious as the pop culture references (such as a nod to Mr. Spock).  I can say this every time: it is not too late to enjoy Nikki Harris (the love child of Space Ghost and Demi Moore); back issues and a trade paperback are available.

A+

http://candlelightpress.tumblr.com/
www.nikkithewitch.com
www.warningcomics.com

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS #1

JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS VOL. 2 No. 1 (2016)
ARCHIE COMICS – @ArchieComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Marguerite Bennett and Cameron Deordio
ART: Audrey Mok
COLORS: Andre Szymanowicz
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COVER: Audrey Mok
VARIANT COVERS: Derek Charm, Colleen Coover, Veronica Fish, Francesco Francavilla, Robert Hack, Gisele Legace, Alitha Martinez, Marguerite Sauvage,
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2016)

Josie and the Pussycats began as a 1963 teen-humor comic book entitled She's Josie (cover date:  February 1963).  Published by Archie Comics, it was created by Dan DeCarlo and focused on the fanciful life and times of a teenager, the sweet and level-headed redhead, Josie.  The title was renamed Josie with issue #17 (cover dated:  December 1965).

It became Josie and the Pussycats with issue #45 (cover date:  December 1969), in which Josie and her friend, Melody, formed a band called the Pussycats.  The two friends added bassist Valerie Smith, the new girl in school and one of the first major African-American comic book characters.  The trio donned leopard print band uniforms that came with long tails and cat-ear headbands.  Hanna-Barbera adapted this new-look Josie into the Saturday morning animated television series, “Josie and the Pussycats,” which ran for two seasons.

The comic book ran until Josie and the Pussycats #106 (cover date:  October 1982), but the characters made appearances in other Archie Comics after that and was even the subject of an American manga makeover about a decade ago.  Josie and the Pussycats are remade, redesigned, and re-imagined again, this time as part of Archie Comics new-look line of comic books.  This new Josie and the Pussycats is written by Marguerite Bennett and Cameron Deordio; drawn by Audrey Mok; colored by Andre Szymanowicz, and lettered by Jack Morelli.

Josie and the Pussycats #1 opens in the bar, “Win Some Booze Some,” in Riverdale.  The owner, Pepper, has allowed her pal, Josie, to try out her folksy vocals, but customers are not interested, and even Josie's frenemy, Alexandra, stops by to rub it in.  Josie would so like to perform at the charity benefit concert for the Riverdale Animal Shelter, but it is for bands only.  Despondent, Josie does not realize how close she is to having a band, but will she know how work it when she gets one?

I have to keep it real.  I only have a passing interest in the new-look Archie Comics, and that interest is not strong enough to make me read even the review PDFs I get from Archie Comics.  However, I have been in love with Josie and the Pussycats since I was a tyke, so I gave this new look a look.

It isn't bad.  Actually, this first issue is average, at best.  Honestly, my Josie is drawn by Dan DeCarlo and the other Archie Comics artists who mimicked DeCarlo's style for four decades of Josie comics.  New-look Josie artist, Audrey Mok, draws beautiful covers, but her interior art for Josie and the Pussycats #1 but does not rise to the level of her cover art for issue #1.  The story is OK, and I might come back for the second issue and maybe a third issue if the second issue entices me.

But this ain't my Josie.  This really isn't Josie, but to be fair, I won't grade this series, yet.

[This issue reprints the Josie and the Pussycats story, “Pussy Footing,” which was written by Dick Malmgren; drawn by Dan DeCarlo (pencils) and Rudy Lapick (inks); and lettered by Bill Yoshida.]

Now, these are my girls.  I think “Pussy Footing” was one of two Josie chapters in Josie and the Pussycats #45.  I love it.  Now, I need to get to eBay.

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE LOST BOYS #1

THE LOST BOYS No. 1
DC COMICS/Vertigo – @DCComics @vertigo_comics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Tim Seeley
ART: Scott Godlewski
COLORS: Trish Mulvihill
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Tony Harris
VARIANT COVER: Joelle Jones with Trish Mulvihill
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Suggested for mature readers

“The Lost Girl” Part 1 of 6

Many of your favorite characters from the 1987 vampire horror-comedy film, The Lost Boys, are back in DC Comics' new comic book sequel to the film.  Entitled (what else) The Lost Boys, this six-issue comic book is written by Tim Seeley; drawn by Scott Godlewski, colored by Trish Mulvihill, and lettered by Clem Robins.

The Lost Boys #1 (“The Lost Girl” Part 1) opens with Sam Emerson telling the story of how he and his older brother, Michael, and his mother, Lucy Emerson, moved to Santa Clara, CA to live with his Grandpa.  Michael fell in love with Star, a beautiful and mysterious young woman, who happened to be a vampire.  The Emerson boys joined the Frog Brothers, Edgar and Alan, fearless young vampire hunters, to clean out the nest of head vampire, Maxwell “Max” Hooker.  That nest included the beautiful, bad boy vampire, David, who was Star's boyfriend (more or less)

Sam is telling his story to another mysterious young woman who has stopped by his place of employment, “Fantasy World Comics.”  Like his brother and friends, Sam is in a bit of a post-vampire-slaying funk.  What to do next?  Well, there is one thing about Santa Clara that never changes; there is always more darkness.

I did not see The Lost Boys when it was first released to movie theaters.  I saw it on cable – probably on HBO.  I couldn't' believe how good it was – at least to me.  Afterwards, I watched it every chance I got, and I eventually bought the film on DVD.

The film's titular vampires, “The Lost Boys,” never grew old and never died, and the film certainly has grown old, but it has a timeless quality.  It never looks old, and because of that, The Lost Boys has always begged for sequels.

This new comic book is a sequel, one that is set shortly after the events of the original film.  I have read a few comic books written by Tim Seeley, and I have enjoyed them to one extent or another.  The Lost Boys is my favorite Tim Seeley comic book, so far.  The dialogue snaps and crackles; to me, this comic book reads as if the writer is having a blast writing it.

Artist Scott Godlewski captures the visual sensibilities of the first film and draws the characters in a way that resembles the live-action actors of the original film just enough to remind the readers where they are.  Godlewski is respectful, however, considering that not all the actors of the original film are still living.

I liked this comic book and could not stop reading it.  I even went back and reread sections of it while reading it the first time.  I feel comfortable recommending it to fans of The Lost Boys film, as well as to fans of vampire comic books and films.  I can tell after The Lost Boys #1 that this comic book series is going to be a blast to read.  Please, don't disappoint me, guys.

A

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: All Time Comics: BULLWHIP #1

ALL TIME COMICS: BULLWHIP No. 1
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS/ALL TIME COMICS – @fantagraphics @alltimecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Josh Bayer and Benjamin Marra
SCRIPT: Josh Bayer
PENCILS: Benjamin Marra
INKS: Al Milgrom
LETTERS: Rick Parker
COLORS: Matt Rota
MISC. ART: Jason T. Miles and Ken Landgraf; Eric Haven
COVERS: Das Pastoras; Gilbert Hernandez; Tony Millionaire
24pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2017)

“Web of Oblivion!”

Alternative comix mainstay, Fantagraphics Books, is currently publishing comic books set in a new shared superhero universe.  Entitled “All Time Comics,” this imprint/universe will see the release of six comic books, each a stand-alone story featuring a particular superhero or set of superheroes.

The hook with All Time Comics is that each title is a mash-up of and throwback to classic 1970s comic books, especially those published by Marvel Comics.  The second title is All Time Comics: Bullwhip.  It is plotted by Josh Bayer and Benjamin Marra; scripted by Bayer; drawn by Marra (pencils) and Al Milgrom (inks); colored by Matt Rota; and lettered by Rick Parker.

All Time Comics: Bullwhip #1 (“Web of Oblivion!”) opens in Metro City at a concert venue.  Candy Christilliam and her band “Brain Parasites” were about to jam, but the concert is being held up by a woman-hating villain, “The Mysogynist.”  Lucikly the mysterious crime-fighter, Bullwhip, has sworn to keep Metro City safe from villainy, violence, and sexist pigs.

However, The Mysogynist isn't the only evil-doer plaguing the concert and the city.  The second villain is the “Time Vampire,” a strange figure determined to attack one of the twin Alexi sisters.  The third adversary acts from the shadows; he is Raingod.

Like All Time Comics: Crime Destroyer #1, Bullwhip #1 is a retro comic book, recalling the past, but not as much as the Crime Destroyer.  For me, Bullwhip reads like an almost, but not quite pure comic book.  The difference is that Bullwhip is a female superhero and a rock solid feminist, who kicks ass with all the gusto of the most ballsy male superheroes.  And, well, pure comic books seem to keep women on the side – at least the pure comics of the past.

All Time Comics: Bullwhip #1 feels like a Fantagraphics Books alt-comix title, with the art owing more to Dan Clowes or Peter Bagge than it does to Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, or Gil Kane – three of the most influential graphic artist comic book storytellers in modern superhero comic books.  The story is also retro, part Silver Age Marvel Comics and part Charlton Comics oddball horror / superhero comic book.

In the end, influences and inspiration aside, I had a blast reading this comic book, and dammit, I want more... NOW!  I heartily recommend it.

A

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE WATER DRAGON'S BRIDE Volume 2

THE WATER DRAGON'S BRIDE, VOL.2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Rei Toma
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Abby Lehrke
LETTERS: Monalisa de Asis
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9256-5; paperback (July 2017); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

The Water Dragon's Bride is a romantic adventure shojo manga from Rei Toma, who is also the creator of the Dawn of the Arcana manga.  This series follows a modern-day girl who is transported to a mysterious world where she meets a supernatural being known as the “water dragon god.”

A modern-day girl named Asahi is pulled into a pond and is whisked away from her happy home.  Suddenly, she is a stranger in a strange and mysterious new land.  She meets a boy, Subaru, the son of a prominent family of a nearby village.  Subaru takes Asahi home, but his mother immediately dislikes the girl and plots to sacrifice her to the god of the Great Lake.  The Water Dragon God wants Asahi to be his wife; she refuses, and he steals her voice.

As The Water Dragon's Bride, Vol. 2 (Chapters 5 to 8) opens, Asahi hovers near the brink of death because of a burn inflicted upon her by Subaru's mother.  The Water Dragon God decides to heal Asahi although she has rejected him.  Feelings of compassion for the girl have awakened in the deity, but Asahi still fears him and is also desperate to go home.  When she hears rumors of another modern person who lives in this new world, Asahi hopes that she has discovered a way out, before her grief destroys this world.

[This volume includes Bonus Comics 1 and 2.]

I did not read the first volume of The Water Dragon's Bride manga, but my VIZ Media rep did send me a copy of the second graphic novel in this series.  The series, however, is easy to follow thanks to summaries on the back cover and near the front of the book and also because of the clean translation and straightforward English adaptation by Abby Lehrke.

The Water Dragon's Bride Volume 2 epitomizes Rei Toma's trademark of shojo manga with pretty art and edgy storytelling.  The graphical storytelling and art is soft-focused and has a sweet-nature, but the story it tells has hard edges and a dark center.  However, I don't know what to make of this manga.  The title character is shallow and not likable at this point in the story, and the lead character is a cry baby.  The characters are simplistic and simple, although I think that overall this narrative has an interesting premise.  I am curious to see where Toma takes this, as I was really impressed by her manga, Dawn of the Arcana.

B
6 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 12, 2017

DC COMICS

MAY170196    ACTION COMICS #983    $2.99
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APR170448    CLEAN ROOM TP VOL 03 WAITING FOR THE STARS (MR)    $16.99
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APR170416    JUSTICE LEAGUE REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 01    $34.99
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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 12, 2017

MARVEL COMICS

MAY170784    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #30 SE    $3.99
MAY170880    BLACK PANTHER CREW #4    $3.99
APR171165    DAKEN DARK WOLVERINE TP PUNISHMENT    $39.99
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