Original Graphic Novel, "THE WRATH OF KARAPACE," is Now Available at Amazon

Hi, It's Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You (Patreon).  My first original graphic novel, THE WRATH OF KARAPACE: A BIG SPIRITS EPIC, which is published by Candle Light Press.  Co-created by Carter J. Allen, (Warning Comics), The Wrath of Karapace is now on sale at Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.  Also, have some milk and cookies while reading this wonderful graphic novel.

Other online shops that are selling "The Wrath of Karapace" include the following:

- AmazonUK;

- Bookshop.org;

- ElmStreetBooks;

- the German book shop, OrrellFussli;

- Powells.com;

- Russell Books.com;

- SuperBookDeals.com;

- Walmart online.

Of note, The Wrath of Karapace is also available on eBay from a few different sellers.

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"The Wrath of Karapace" also a "Google Books" listing.

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Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

I Reads You Juniors: May 2025 - UPDATE #20

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

TREATS - From AnotherCookie:  There is a new online cookie retailer. It is called "AnotherCookie?" and the cookies are delicious.

NEWS:

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics writer, Jonathan Hickman, says that Marvel will publish comic books based on Fox's former sci-fi drama, "The X-Files."  He also says that "The X-Files" comic books will crossover with other Marvel titles.

From Negromancer:  Leroy Douresseaux offers a review of the new "Star Wars #1" from Marvel Comics.

IDW - From BleedingCool:  Starting later this year, IDW Publishing with start publishing "Event Horizon: Dark Descent," a prequel comic book series to the 1997 science fiction-horror film, "Event Horizon."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Just in time for the 45th anniversary of the 1980 film, "The Blues Brothers," is a graphic novel, "The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake," which is due in October 2025 from Z2 Comics.

EN MEMORIAM - From CBR:  The longtime Marvel and DC Comics artist, Jackson "Butch" Guice, has died at the age of 63, Wednesday, May 1, 2025.  Guice may be best for his long career with Marvel where he drew every major character at one time or another.  His big break was drawing Marvel's "Micronauts" series and the four-issue limited series, "X-Men and the Micronauts." His work with DC Comics included a run on Action Comics from the early to mid 1990s and on the cult series, "Resurrection Man."

From BleedingCool:  The comic book industry remembers veteran comic book artist, Jackson " Butch" Guice, who died Thurs., May 1st, at the age of 63.

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JACK KIRBY - From Forward:  This article looks at how Jack Kirby's Jewish upbringing influenced his art and storytelling as the first career retrospective of the great artist, "Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity," debuts May 1, 2025 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  The bankruptcy saga of Diamond Comic Distributors may be winding down.  The Baltimore Bankruptcy Court has approved the sale of Diamond to Universal Distribution and Sparkle Pop (a holding company for Ad Populum).  Universal Distribution will pay $49,634,950, plus or minus a few other factors. Sparkle Pop will pay $7,459,050, though with certain provisos for payments owed to NECA and WizKids, brands owned by Ad Populum. That's a total of around $57 million. Alliance Entertainment, which offered more than 70 million at the bankruptcy auction, are currently suing and filing complaints.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  There will be a new "Batman #1" from writer Matt Fraction and artist Jorge Jimenez.  Launching in September 2025, this new "Batman" series will offer a "revamped aesthetic," a "throwback" costume, and a new Batmobile.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Who gets what creator credits in "Thunderbolts*" from Disney/Marvel Studios.

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APRIL 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Summer of Superman" titles for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  DSTLRY Media for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" titles for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate: titles for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for April 2025

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for April 2025

MAY 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion Productions for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute DC" titles for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Media for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day 2025 titles for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" titles for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" titles for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Massive Publishing for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics "Conan" and "Solomon Kane" titles for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for May 2025

From BleedingCool:  Valiant-Alien Books for May 2025

JUNE 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Comics for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dren Comics for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Media for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainent for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Keensport Entertainment for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" crossover titles for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Universe" for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" with "Scarlet Witch" for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion #1" for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for June 202

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for June 2025

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for June 2025

JULY 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Superman" titles for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due Studios for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazine for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Skybound "Energon" titles for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" titles for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Bring on the Bad Guys" titles for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" tie-in titles for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Massive Publishing for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Midnight Factory for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for July

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2025

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2025

AUGUST 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Bring on the Bad Guys" titles for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "One World Under Doom" titles for August 2025

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#IReadsYou Movie Review: THUNDERBOLTS*

Thunderbolts* (2025)

Running time: 126 minutes (2 hours, 6 minutes)

MPA – PG-13 for strong violence, language, thematic elements, and some suggestive and drug references

DIRECTOR: Jake Schreier

WRITERS:  Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo (based upon the Marvel Comics)

PRODUCER: Kevin Feige

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Andrew Droz Palermo (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Angela M. Catanzaro and Harry Yoon

COMPOSER:  Son Lux (Ryan Lott, Rafiq Bhatia, Ian Chang)

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION and DRAMA

Starring:  Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Geraldine Viswanathan, Olga Kurylenko, and Wendell Pierce

Thunderbolts* is a 2025 American superhero fantasy film and action movie directed by Jake Schreier and produced by Marvel Studios.  It is the 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).  The film features Marvel Comics' “Thunderbolts,” an antihero and super-villain superhero team created by writer Kurt Busiek and artist Mark Bagley that first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 (cover dated: January 1997).  Thunderbolts* the movie focuses on an unconventional team of antiheroes that takes on a conniving CIA official and a dangerous super-being while confronting their own dark pasts.

Thunderbolts* opens in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  There, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) destroys an O.X.E. Group laboratory on behalf of CIA director, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).  Valentina is facing a Congressional committee that wants to impeach her in order to have her removed as CIA director, so she is having to conceal all her illicit programs.  One of those programs in need of concealment is the O.X.E. Group's “Sentry” project, which involves experimentation on humans in order to develop a superhuman.

Valentina dispatches Yelena to a remote O.X.E. facility on a mission to destroy sensitive materials.  After entering the facility, however, Yelena discovers that she is not alone.  John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) are also there, under the pretense of a mission.  The real reason all of them are in the facility is so that Valentina can have them and any incriminating evidence against her be destroyed simultaneously.  Another of this mission's surprises is the sudden appearance of a mysterious man named “Bob” (Lewis Pullman).

Now, Yelena and this bunch of reprobates embark on mission to punish Valentina, and they are joined by Yelena's father, Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).  They gather in New York City for a showdown, but there are wildcards.  Who is “Sentry?”  And what is “Void?”

Thunderbolts* is like a sequel, of sorts, to the 2021 Marvel Studios film, Black Widow.  It also references such previous Marvel Studios films as Marvel's The Avengers (2012) and the recent Captain America: Brave New World (2025), and also the Disney+ television series, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” (2021), to name a few.

At the center of Thunderbolts* is Yelena Belova, and the good thing is that the actress playing the character, Florence Pugh, is quite good.  Pugh gives Yelena gravitas, and I find myself believing almost everything about the character.  That said I would have preferred Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes a.k.a. “The Winter Soldier” as the “magnetic center” of Thunderbolts*, but I guess the character has already had plenty of time to showcase himself in previous Marvel Studios productions.

Beyond those two characters, I found myself bored with Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina, although I am a long time fan of Louis-Dreyfus because of her role in the former NBC sitcom, “Seinfeld.”  I like actor David Harbour as “Red Guardian,” but the character is a bit overwrought, while Hannah John-Kamen is overly wasted as “Ghost.”  Geraldine Viswanathan is very nice in the supporting role of Mel, Valentina's assistant.  Lewis Pullman, who seems very skilled at creating a new personality for each acting role he takes on, is very, very good as “Bob.”  Marvel Studios would do well not to waste the potential of what Pullman can bring to the MCU.

All that said, Thunderbolts* is my least favorite MCU team movie.  Don't get me wrong.  It is a very entertaining film because director Jake Schreier makes the most of an offbeat screenplay and of the work of the film editors, cinematographers, and other collaborators.  The result is that they deliver a movie that is surprisingly humorous and is often laugh-out-loud funny.

I don't buy all the depression and battling-personal-demons melodrama of the film's story.  It is often overdone, contrived, and tedious enough to drag down the moments when that does feel genuine.  There is enough enjoyment in Thunderbolts* to make me give it a relatively high rating.  If this movie were made by most other film studios, however, I would give it a lower rating.

[Thunderbolts* has an extra scene in the middle of the credits and one at the end of the credits.]

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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

The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You #132

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) #132

DC COMICS

STORY: Sholly Fisch

PENCILS: Randy Elliot; Robert Pope

INKS: Randy Elliot; Scott McRae

COLORS: Silvana Brys; Jason Lewis

LETTERS: Saida Temofonte

EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Alex Antone (reprint)

COVER: Randy Elliot with Silvana Brys

32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2025)

Ages 8+

“Trial and Error”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I continue to renew my subscription so that I can continue to review this series for you, dear readers.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #132 opens with “Trial and Error,” which is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Randy Elliot.  The story finds Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma at the county courthouse.  Why are they there?

The gang are witnesses for the prosecution in the trial of the crooked real estate developer, “Ethical” Ed Morrissey, who pretended to be an “alien gorilla” as part of his real estate scams.  The problem is that a trio ghosts:  a judge, a prosecutor, and bailiff, has appeared, and these apparitions are determined to put our favorite ghost-hunting detectives on trial.  And the punishment is being sent down the River Styx. 

As usual, the second story, “Go for Broke,” is a reprint story.  It is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Robert Pope (pencils) and Scott McRae (inks).  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You #31 (cover date: May 2013).]  The story opens at Bunny's ski lodge where a ghost on skis is terrorizing and, in some cases, even hurting the lodge's guests.  Now, it's time for Mystery Inc. to get involved, but the last time they tangled with that ghost, they all ended up with broken legs!

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #132 offers as a theme scheming ghosts.  For me, however, the best part is that this issue offers the work of some of my favorite Scooby-Doo artists.  Randy Elliot rocks the courtroom with some traditional Scooby-Doo antics, while the art team of Robert Pope and Scott McRae dazzle (as always) with a mystery that is staged in a traditional Scooby-Doo setting, the haunted ski lodge.

Writer Sholly Fisch anchors this issue with two imaginative tales.  Stalwart Scooby-Doo comics colorist, Silvana Brys, delivers the goods, as usual, while colorist Jason Lewis dazzles in the reprint story, “Go for Broke.”  Letterer Saida Temofonte is perfect for Scooby-Doo.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #132 is as enjoyable as Issue #131 was, so hopefully, this is the start of a good run in the series.  So grab your “Scooby Snacks” and read this issue, and maybe watch a Scooby-Doo movie, later.  And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the DC Comics original graphic novel, “Primer: Clashing Colors” by Jennifer Muro & Thomas Krajewski and Gretel Lusky.]

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

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The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: RONIN BOOK II #1

RONIN BOOK II #1

FRANK MILLER PRESENTS LLC

STORY: Frank Miller

LAYOUTS: Frank Miller

ART: Philip Tan and Daniel Henriques

LETTERS: John Workman

BOSSES: Frank Miller, Dan DiDio, and Silenn Thomas

COVER: Philip Tan and Daniel Henriques

VARIANT COVER: Frank Miller

56pp, B&W, 7.99 U.S. (November 2022)

Ronin created by Frank Miller

Ronin is a six-issue comic book miniseries published between 1983 and 1984 by DC Comics.  The series was written and drawn by Frank Miller, with Miller's artwork painted by Lynn Varley.  Ronin takes place in a near-future New York City, a dystopia in which an unnamed ronin (in Japan, a samurai without a master) and his mortal enemy, the demon “Agat,” are reincarnated.  The series also features a security officer, Casey McKenna, “The Aquarius Corporation” and its artificial intelligence, “Virgo,” which may hold the true secrets of the ronin and Agat.

Late last year, Frank Miller's new publishing concern, Frank Miller Presents, launched a sequel to Ronin.  Entitled Ronin Book II, the series is written by Miller; drawn by Philip Tan (pencils), Daniel Henriques (inks), and Miller (layouts); and lettered by John Workman.  The new series follows Casey McKenna and her infant son, Billy, as they travel across a ravaged America.

Ronin Book II #1 finds Casey dreaming of her trials and tribulations.  The world is a vampire (so to speak), and the artificial intelligence, Virgo, still haunts Casey's life.  Now, she has a baby boy, and they must traverse the ravaged landscape of America.  However, sinister evils and the old ghosts still abound, one in the form of the infamous Agat.

THE LOWDOWN:  When the launch of Frank Miller Presents was announced to much fanfare in the spring of 2022, I was interested.  After all, Frank Miller was one of the first comic book creators whose name I learned when I started reading comic books in high school.  I found Daredevil #189 (cover dated: December 1982) in one of those comic book three-packs, I fell in love with Miller and his collaborator, Klaus Janson.  Their union would be made rock-solid (solid as a rock!) when the duo collaborated on the 1986 miniseries, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

Between Daredevil and Batman, Frank Miller unleashed his landmark six-issue miniseries, Ronin.  It blended the Japanese comics (manga) with the French comics (bande dessinée) that influenced Frank Miller.  I would say that the work of French comic book creator, Jean “Moebius” Giraud, had the biggest influence on Ronin's artwork and narrative style.  Ronin was essentially Miller's Moebius comic book slash graphic novel.

In its press offerings, Frank Miller Presents has stated that Ronin Book II “captures all the energy and excitement of the original series, taking the characters and world into a direction all its own.”  I can accept that, but after reading Ronin Book II #1, I believe that a sequel to Ronin is at least 30 years too late.  Why?

Well, Ronin Book II #1 looks and reads like a comic book drawn by either Todd McFarlane or Jim Lee in the early 1990s.  That would include McFarlane's 1990-launched Spider-Man series and his Image Comics' title, Spawn (1992), and Lee's 1991-launched X-Men series and his Image title, WildC.A.T.S: Cover Action Teams (1992).

Ronin Book II #1 reads like McFarlane's “BOOM BOOM BOOM” script for Spider-Man #1 (cover dated: August 1990), and Philip Tan and Daniel Henriques' art could be a catalog of Jim Lee's pencil art inked by Scott Williams, Marc Silvestri, Whilce Portacio, and just about every art assistant in the former Homage Studios gang.  There is indeed some beautiful panoramic black and white art, especially towards the end of the story, but...

What's it like to read this first issue.  Well, the guy who wrote powerfully in the 1980s is not as powerful now.  I wouldn't call Ronin Book II #1 incomprehensible, but I would say that it is incomprehensible that Miller thinks he can get away with a new series that seems like nothing more than a shoddy riff on the legendary manga, Lone Wolf and Cub.  So Miller may be taking Ronin Book II in “a direction all its own,” but I hope that the rest of the series does not read like old Todd McFarland and Jim Lee comics.

I don't know if I will buy any more issues of this series.  I may be too curious – because its Miller and Ronin – to just ignore Ronin Book II.  Also, I'm being generous with the grade I'm giving it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Frank Miller and of his Ronin comic book will want to at least sample Ronin Book II.

B-

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

"Ronin Book II" is now known as "RONIN RISING" and is available is both a hardcover and manga paperback edition via Amazon.

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The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: NEMESIS: ROGUES' GALLERY #1

NEMESIS: ROGUES' GALLERY #1 (OF 5)

DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Valerio Giangiordano

COLORS: Lee Loughridge

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Valerio Giangiordano with Lee Loughridge

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2024)

Age range: 14+

Nemesis created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery is a five-issue comic book miniseries from writer Mark Millar.  It is a sequel to the miniseries, Nemesis Reloaded (2023) and Big Game (2023).  Published by Dark Horse comics, the new series finds the super-killer, Nemesis, on a mission of revenge.  Rogues' Gallery is drawn by Valerio Giangiordano; colored by Lee Loughridge; and lettered by Clem Robins.

Nemesis: Rogues Gallery #1 opens in the hospital wing of Colton Brown Penitentiary, California.  Nemesis was the world's greatest super-villain. Now, he is merely a paraplegic (as a result of the battle with the superheroes that began in Big Game #1) named Matthew Anderson.  However, his former acquaintances, a group lurking in their Temple of Panza, can bring him back to what he was, but is he willing to pay the price?

Meanwhile, someone Nemesis hurt is also getting an offer he won't refuse.

THE LOWDOWN:  This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics.  I mark my return with Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery #1.

Nemesis Reloaded #1 was a helluva first issue.  This first issue of Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery is a bit more subdued.  It's an introduction to Nemesis' situation and how he got there.  This is like Millard's quiet before the storm, but oh, what a storm it will be judging by the last page.

The art by Valerio Giangiordano provides the perfectly dark, edgy, and moody storytelling this issue needs.  Giangiordano's art is like a mash-up of the graphic stylings of Frank Quietly and of the late Richard Corben, and it perfectly depicts the restrained intensity of Nemesis' utter insanity.  Lee Loughridge colors the art by actually dialing back on the colors, and this steeps the story in darkness even more.  Clem Robins, as usual, captures the spirit of Millar's ideas with his pitch-perfect lettering.

Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery promises to be a good time.  It may also end up being the best Batman comic book in ages.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar's comic books will desire Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery.

A

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

The NEMESIS: ROGUES' GALLERY trade paperback is available at Amazon.

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The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for May 7, 2025

BOOM! STUDIOS

OCT240053 CREEPING BELOW #3 (OF 5) CVR A DEL REY (MR) $4.99

OCT240054 CREEPING BELOW #3 (OF 5) CVR B BURZO (MR) $4.99

OCT240057 CREEPING BELOW #3 (OF 5) CVR E FOC REVEAL VAR (MR) $4.99

FEB250020 HELLO DARKNESS #10 CVR A MERCADO (MR) $5.99

FEB250021 HELLO DARKNESS #10 CVR B FRISON (MR) $5.99

FEB250022 HELLO DARKNESS #10 CVR C WARD VIR (MR) $5.99

FEB250023 HELLO DARKNESS #10 CVR D ANNIVERSARY VAR (MR) $5.99

JAN257977 HELLO DARKNESS #10 CVR F 10 COPY INCV PUEBLA VIR (MR) $5.99

JAN250060 IN BLOOM #4 (OF 5) CVR A PEARSON $4.99

JAN250061 IN BLOOM #4 (OF 5) CVR B TEMPLESMITH $4.99

JAN250080 JIM HENSONS LABYRINTH #7 (OF 8) CVR A MALAVIA $4.99

JAN250081 JIM HENSONS LABYRINTH #7 (OF 8) CVR B TORQUE $4.99

FEB250073 MOUSE GUARD DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE #2 (OF 3) CVR A RODRIGUEZ $4.99

FEB250074 MOUSE GUARD DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE #2 (OF 3) CVR B PETERSEN $4.99

FEB250076 MOUSE GUARD FACSIMILE EDITION #1 $4.99

FEB250067 UNCANNY VALLEY #9 (OF 10) CVR A WACHTER $4.99

FEB250068 UNCANNY VALLEY #9 (OF 10) CVR B FLEECS $4.99

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