Naruto: Path

I read Naruto, Vol. 68

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

Review: WAYWARD #7

WAYWARD #7
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

STORY: Jim Zub – @jimzub
ART: Steve Cummings – @stekichikun
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain – @TBonvillain
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon – @MarshallDillon
COVER: Steve Cummings with Tamra Bonvillain
VARIANT COVER: Sie Nanahara
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

The latest issue of Image Comics' Wayward is in comic book shops today (Wednesday, April 29, 2015).  The comic book, which launched late last summer, is set in Japan and features those creatures of Japanese folklore, yokai.

Wayward is the creation of writer Jim Zub and artist Steve Cummings.  Wayward focuses on Rori Lane, a half-Irish/half-Japanese teen girl, who is trying to start a new life in Japan with her mother, Sanae.  Instead, Rori finds herself connected to the magic and ancient creatures that lurk in the shadows of Tokyo.

Wayward #7 (“Chapter Seven”) continues the focus on Ohara Emi, a high school girl to whom most people pay little or no attention.  Now, she does have people paying attention to her, Ayane and Nikaido, two teens who are part of Rori Lane's little monster-hunting band.

With the arrival of Obon, the Japanese festival of the dead, Ayane wonders what has happened to Rori and Shirai, who were lost during a battle with several powerful creatures.  Meanwhile, these “corrupted children” are the subject of a meeting between Nurarihyon and other yokai, who are themselves in for quite a surprise.

In a bid to keep the word going about his comic book, Wayward writer/co-creator, Jim Zub, sent out an advanced review PDF copy of Wayward #7.  I like this comic book and support it by buying copies, even after reading it for free.

Recently, someone said that Wayward is the next Saga.  I wouldn't know, as I have yet to read Saga, but if it is as good as Wayward, then, I must read it immediately.  This seventh issue of Wayward is, so far, the best issue of the new story arc.  Sometimes, comic books about magic don't feel very magical.  Like The Sandman, this series has a sense of enchantment about it that is... well, enchanting.  I heartily recommend... Oh, the hell with it.  Read this, dammit!

A

[Wayward #7 contains another engrossing essay, “Obon – The Festival of the Dead,” by Zack Davisson (@ZackDavisson).]

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 29, 2015

DC COMICS

JAN150306     BATMAN #40 (ENDGAME) (NOTE PRICE)     $4.99
DEC140379     BATMAN HC VOL 06 THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT (N52)     $24.99
JAN150363     BATMAN TP VOL 05 ZERO YEAR DARK CITY (N52)     $16.99
FEB150150     CONVERGENCE #4     $3.99
FEB150214     CONVERGENCE ACTION COMICS #1     $3.99
FEB150216     CONVERGENCE BLUE BEETLE #1     $3.99
FEB150218     CONVERGENCE BOOSTER GOLD #1     $3.99
FEB150220     CONVERGENCE CRIME SYNDICATE #1     $3.99
FEB150222     CONVERGENCE DETECTIVE COMICS #1     $3.99
FEB150224     CONVERGENCE INFINITY INC #1     $3.99
FEB150226     CONVERGENCE JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #1     $3.99
FEB150228     CONVERGENCE PLASTIC MAN FREEDOM FIGHTERS #1     $3.99
FEB150230     CONVERGENCE SHAZAM #1     $3.99
FEB150232     CONVERGENCE WORLDS FINEST COMICS #1     $3.99
JAN150397     FABLES TP VOL 21 HAPPILY EVER AFTER (MR)     $17.99
JAN150373     GOTHAM CITY SIRENS TP BOOK 02     $24.99
JAN150370     GREEN ARROW TP VOL 06 BROKEN (N52)     $14.99
FEB150244     HE MAN THE ETERNITY WAR #5     $2.99
FEB150243     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR THREE ANNUAL #1     $4.99
JAN150250     JUSTICE LEAGUE #40     $3.99
JAN150238     MULTIVERSITY #2     $5.99
JAN150286     SUPERMAN #40     $3.99
FEB150275     VERTIGO QUARTERLY SFX #1 (MR)     $7.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

SEP140356     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT BATMAN AF     $24.95
SEP140357     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT HARLEY QUINN AF     $24.95
SEP140358     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT SCARECROW AF     $24.95
NOV140355     DC COMICS SUPER HEROES NIGHTWING BUST     $49.95

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 29, 2015

MARVEL COMICS

FEB150810     ALL NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA #6     $3.99
FEB150860     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE TP     $15.99
FEB150705     AVENGERS #44 TRO     $4.99
FEB150848     AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION BEHOLD VISION TP     $34.99
FEB150849     AVENGERS VISION AND SCARLET WITCH TP NEW PTG     $19.99
FEB150850     AVENGERS WEST COAST VISION QUEST TP NEW PTG     $24.99
FEB150780     DAREDEVIL #15     $3.99
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JAN150904     ELEKTRA TP VOL 02 REVERENCE     $17.99
FEB150796     FANTASTIC FOUR #645     $5.99
NOV140864     FANTASTIC FOUR OMNIBUS HC VOL 03 ROSS CVR     $99.99
FEB150671     INHUMAN #14     $3.99
JAN150891     MARVEL SH SECRET WARS ACTIVITY BOOK FACSIMILE COLL TP     $24.99
FEB150755     MARVEL UNIVERSE ULT SPIDER-MAN WEB WARRIORS #6     $2.99
FEB150846     MARVELS AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON ART OF MOVIE SLIPCASE HC     $49.99
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FEB150754     NOVA #30     $3.99
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FEB150836     X-MEN #26     $3.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 29, 2015

IDW PUBLISHING

JAN150553     COMPLETE CHESTER GOULD DICK TRACY HC VOL 18     $39.99
FEB150355     GARBAGE PAIL KIDS FABLES FANTASY & FARTS (ONE SHOT)     $3.99
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FEB150375     GI JOE (2014) #8     $3.99
FEB150452     HAUNTED HORROR #16     $3.99
FEB150469     HEADSPACE TP     $19.99
JAN150559     IDW SPRING 2015 SCI-FI & ADVENTURE SAMPLER     PI
FEB150329     JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #2     $3.99
FEB158135     JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #2 PLUGGED IN ED     $3.99
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FEB150405     TMNT ONGOING #45     $3.99
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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 29, 2015

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB150035     CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #22 MARKED FOR DEATH PT 4     $2.99
FEB150096     CONAN RED SONJA #4     $3.99
FEB150095     CONAN THE AVENGER #13     $3.50
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FEB150019     PASTAWAYS #2     $3.99
FEB150027     RESIDENT ALIEN SAM HAIN MYSTERY #0     $3.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 29, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

FEB150588     ALEX + ADA #14     $2.99
JAN150670     BITCH PLANET #4 (MR)     $3.50
JUN140502     CYBER FORCE REBIRTH TP VOL 02     $19.99
FEB150607     FUSE #12 (MR)     $3.50
FEB150524     GONERS TP VOL 01 WE ALL FALL DOWN     $9.99
FEB150613     INVINCIBLE #119     $2.99
FEB150617     MICE TEMPLAR V NIGHTS END #2 CVR A OEMING     $5.99
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FEB150633     SKULLKICKERS #32     $3.50
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IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

OCT148147     TMP NBA TIM DUNCAN LTD ED AF COLL BOX     PI
DEC140776     WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 7 AF     PI
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DEC140780     WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 7 GARETH AF     PI
DEC140779     WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 7 MICHONNE AF     PI
DEC140777     WALKING DEAD TV SERIES 7 MUD WALKER AF     PI

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for April 29, 2015

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
MAR150006     PREVIEWS #320 MAY 2015     $3.99
MAR150009     PREVIEWS #320 MAY 2015 CUSTOMER ORDER FORM     PI

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAR151557     ABSENCE HC (MR)     $19.99
JAN151581     ALICE IN COUNTRY OF CLOVER MARCH HARES REVOLUTION GN (MR)     $13.99
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MAR151439     COSPLAY BASICS A BEGINNERS GUIDE GN     $18.95
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MAGAZINES
FEB151882     BRICKJOURNAL #34     $8.95
FEB151868     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1454     PI
FEB151883     FILMFAX #140     $9.95
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FEB151888     STAR WARS INSIDER #157 NEWSSTAND ED     $7.99
FEB151889     STAR WARS INSIDER #157 PX ED     $7.99

BOOKS
MAR151732     100 THINGS AVENGERS FANS SHOULD KNOW DO BEFORE THEY DIE SC     $14.95
FEB150940     ARCLIGHT THE ART OF JOE WIGHT SIGNED ED     $25.00
MAR151758     ART OF PIMP ONE MANS SEARCH FOR LOVE SEX & MONEY (MR)     $26.95
MAR151728     CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE CELEBRATING MODERN BLACK PIN UP HC (MR)     $34.99
FEB151837     DARTH VADER & FRIENDS HC     $14.95
MAR151746     DINO MIKE & MUSEUM MAYHEM YR MMPB     $5.95
DEC141875     DISNEY FROZEN POSTER COLLECTION SC     $24.99
MAR151722     FAIRY TALES BY ELIAS ART OF ELIAS CHATZOUDIS SC (MR)     $14.95
JAN151798     GOLDEN AGE MASTERWORKS FROM GOLDEN AGE ILLUSTRAT HC VOL 01     $44.95
MAR150876     HEAVENLY NOSTRILS CHRONICLE GN VOL 01 PHOEBE & HER UNICORN     $9.99
DEC141893     HOBBIT DEFINITIVE MOVIE POSTER COLLECTION SC     $24.99
MAR151765     LEGO STAR WARS CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA UPDATED EXPANDED     $18.99
MAR151734     LOIS LANE FALLOUT YA HC NOVEL     $16.95
JAN151619     LOST IN NYC SUBWAY ADVENTURE HC     $16.95
FEB151806     MAD GREATEST WRITERS FRANK JACOBS 5 DECADES GRTEST WORK HC     $30.00
MAR151561     ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD TOON GRAPHIC HC     $16.95
DEC141855     SEX & HORROR ART OF EMANUELE TAGLIETTI SC     $29.95
MAR151764     SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 95 JADE DRAGON & CHINESE TAPESTRY     $14.95
FEB151831     SILVER DREAM INTERWORLD NOVEL SC     $9.99
FEB151841     STAR WARS EPIC YARNS HC VOL 01 NEW HOPE     $9.95
FEB151842     STAR WARS EPIC YARNS HC VOL 02 EMPIRE STRIKES BACK     $9.95
FEB151843     STAR WARS EPIC YARNS HC VOL 03 RETURN OF THE JEDI     $9.95
FEB151838     STAR WARS LORDS OF SITH HC     $28.00
FEB151753     SWORD ART ONLINE NOVEL VOL 04 FAIRY DANCE     $13.00
MAR151766     ULTIMATE STAR WARS DEFINATIVE GUIDE STAR WARS UNIV HC     $40.00
MAR151733     WONDER WOMAN AMAZON HERO ICON HC SALE ED     $19.99
NOV141820     WORLD ACCORDING TO IRON MAN HC     $24.95
NOV141821     WORLD ACCORDING TO THOR HC     $24.95

Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire - Secrets of a Hooded Woman

I read Resident Evil, Vol. 3: The Marhawa Desire

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

2015 Eisner Award Nominations Announced; Buell, Woggon Inducted into Hall of Fame

Marjorie ”Marge” Henderson Buell (creator of Little Lulu) and Bill Woggon (creator of Katy Keene) elected into Comic Industry's Hall of Fame.

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, also simply know as the “Eisner Awards,” are awards annually given for creative achievement in American comic books.  The awards are named for pioneering comic book writer, artist, and publisher, Will Eisner.  Some consider the Eisner Awards to be the preeminent awards that honor American comic books, even referring to the awards as “the Oscars of comic books.”

The Eisner Awards also include the Comic Industry's Hall of Fame.  The Eisner Awards are associated with the annual Comic-Con International convention held in San Diego, California, in July.  The Eisner Awards have been given annually since 1988, with the exception of 1990.

The 2015 Eisner Award nominations were recently announced.  They winners winners will be announced Friday, July 10, 2015 at a gala ceremony held during Comic-Con International (2015).

The 2015 Eisner Awards judging panel:
Carr D’Angelo – comics retailer: Earth-2 Comics, Los Angeles
Richard Graham – librarian at University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Sean Howe – author Marvel Comics: The Untold Story
Susan Kirtley – academic/scholar at Portland State University)
Ron McFee – a Comic-Con International volunteer
Maggie Thompson – writer/editor, best known for her work on the Comics Buyers Guide

2015 Eisner Awards Nominations:

Best Short Story

• “Beginning’s End,” by Rina Ayuyang, muthamagazine.com
• “Corpse on the Imjin!” by Peter Kuper, in Masterful Marks: Cartoonists Who Changed the World (Simon & Schuster)
• “Rule Number One,” by Lee Bermejo, in Batman Black and White #3 (DC)
• “The Sound of One Hand Clapping,” by Max Landis & Jock, in Adventures of Superman #14 (DC)
• “When the Darkness Presses,” by Emily Carroll, http://emcarroll.com/comics/darkness/ (link is external)

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)

• Astro City #16: “Wish I May” by Kurt Busiek & Brent Anderson (Vertigo/DC)
• Beasts of Burden: Hunters and Gatherers, by Evan Dorkin & Jill Thompson (Dark Horse)
• Madman in Your Face 3D Special, by Mike Allred (Image)
• Marvel 75th Anniversary Celebration #1 (Marvel)
• The Multiversity: Pax Americana #1, by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely (DC)

Best Continuing Series

• Astro City, by Kurt Busiek & Brent Anderson (Vertigo)
• Bandette, by Paul Tobin & Colleen Coover (Monkeybrain)
• Hawkeye, by Matt Fraction & David Aja (Marvel)
• Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples (Image)
• Southern Bastards, by Jason Aaron & Jason Latour (Image)
• The Walking Dead, by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, & Stefano Gaudiano (Image/Skybound)

Best Limited Series

• Daredevil: Road Warrior, by Mark Waid & Peter Krause (Marvel Infinite Comics)
• Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland, by Eric Shanower & Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)
• The Multiversity, by Grant Morrison et al. (DC)
• The Private Eye, by Brian K. Vaughan & Marcos Martin (Panel Syndicate)
• The Sandman: Overture, by Neil Gaiman & J. H. Williams III (Vertigo/DC)

Best New Series

1. The Fade Out, by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips (Image)
2. Lumberjanes, by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson, & Brooke A. Allen (BOOM! Box)
3. Ms. Marvel, by G. Willow Wilson & Adrian Alphona (Marvel)
4. Rocket Raccoon, by Skottie Young (Marvel)
5. The Wicked + The Divine, by Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie (Image)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)

• BirdCatDog, by Lee Nordling & Meritxell Bosch (Lerner/Graphic Universe)
• A Cat Named Tim And Other Stories, by John Martz (Koyama Press)
• Hello Kitty, Hello 40: A Celebration in 40 Stories, edited by Traci N. Todd & Elizabeth Kawasaki (VIZ)
• Mermin, Book 3: Deep Dives, by Joey Weiser (Oni)
• The Zoo Box, by Ariel Cohn & Aron Nels Steinke (First Second)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12)

• Batman Li’l Gotham, vol. 2, by Derek Fridolfs & Dustin Nguyen (DC)
• El Deafo, by Cece Bell (Amulet/Abrams)
• I Was the Cat, by Paul Tobin & Benjamin Dewey (Oni)
• Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland, by Eric Shanower & Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)
• Tiny Titans: Return to the Treehouse, by Art Baltazar & Franco (DC)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)

• Doomboy, by Tony Sandoval (Magnetic Press)
• The Dumbest Idea Ever, by Jimmy Gownley (Graphix/Scholastic)
• Lumberjanes, by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson, & Brooke A. Allen (BOOM! Box)
• Meteor Men, by Jeff Parker & Sandy Jarrell (Oni)
• The Shadow Hero, by Gene Luen Yang & Sonny Liew (First Second)
• The Wrenchies, by Farel Dalrymple (First Second)

Best Humor Publication

• The Complete Cul de Sac, by Richard Thompson (Andrews McMeel)
• Dog Butts and Love. And Stuff Like That. And Cats. by Jim Benton (NBM)
• Groo vs. Conan, by Sergio Aragonés, Mark Evanier, & Tom Yeates (Dark Horse)
• Rocket Raccoon, by Skottie Young (Marvel)
• Superior Foes of Spider-Man, by Nick Spencer & Steve Lieber (Marvel)

Best Digital/Web Comic

• Bandette, by Paul Tobin & Colleen Coover, Monkeybrain/comiXology.com (link is external)
• Failing Sky by Dax Tran-Caffee, http://failingsky.com (link is external)
• The Last Mechanical Monster, by Brian Fies, http://lastmechanicalmonster.blogspot.com (link is external)
• Nimona, by Noelle Stephenson, http://gingerhaze.com/nimona/comic (link is external)
• The Private Eye by Brian Vaughan & Marcos Martin http://panelsyndicate.com/ (link is external)

Best Anthology

• In the Dark: A Horror Anthology, edited by Rachel Deering (Tiny Behemoth Press/IDW)
• Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, edited by Josh O’Neill, Andrew Carl, & Chris Stevens (Locust Moon)
• Massive: Gay Erotic Manga and the Men Who Make It, edited by Anne Ishii, Chip Kidd, & Graham Kolbeins (Fantagraphics)
• Masterful Marks: Cartoonists Who Changed the World, edited by Monte Beauchamp (Simon & Schuster)
• To End All Wars: The Graphic Anthology of The First World War, edited by Jonathan Clode & John Stuart Clark (Soaring Penguin)

Best Reality-Based Work

• Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast (Bloomsbury)
• Dragon’s Breath and Other True Stories, by MariNaomi (2d Cloud/Uncivilized Books)
• El Deafo, by Cece Bell (Amulet/Abrams)
• Hip Hop Family Tree, vol. 2, by Ed Piskor (Fantagraphics)
• Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood, by Nathan Hale (Abrams)
• To End All Wars: The Graphic Anthology of The First World War, edited by Jonathan Clode & John Stuart Clark (Soaring Penguin)

Best Graphic Album—New

• The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil, by Stephen Collins (Picador)
• Here, by Richard McGuire (Pantheon)
• Kill My Mother, by Jules Feiffer (Liveright)
• The Motherless Oven, by Rob Davis (SelfMadeHero)
• Seconds, by Bryan Lee O’Malley (Ballantine Books)
• This One Summer, by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki (First Second)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint

• Dave Dorman’s Wasted Lands Omnibus (Magnetic Press)
• How to Be Happy, by Eleanor Davis (Fantagraphics)
• Jim, by Jim Woodring (Fantagraphics)
• Sock Monkey Treasury, by Tony Millionaire (Fantagraphics)
• Through the Woods, by Emily Carroll (McElderry Books)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips (at least 20 years old)

• Winsor McCay’s Complete Little Nemo, edited by Alexander Braun (TASCHEN)
• Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Tarzan: The Sunday Comics, 1933–1935, by Hal Foster, edited by Brendan Wright (Dark Horse)
• Moomin: The Deluxe Anniversary Edition, by Tove Jansson, edited by Tom Devlin (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Pogo, vol. 3: Evidence to the Contrary, by Walt Kelly, edited by Carolyn Kelly & Eric Reynolds (Fantagraphics)
• Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse, vols. 5-6, by Floyd Gottfredson, edited by David Gerstein & Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books (at least 20 Years Old)

• The Complete ZAP Comix Box Set, edited by Gary Groth, with Mike Catron (Fantagraphics)
• Steranko Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
• Walt Disney’s Donald Duck: Trail of the Unicorn, by Carl Barks, edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)
• Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: The Son of the Son, by Don Rosa, edited by David Gerstein (Fantagraphics)
• Walt Kelly’s Pogo: The Complete Dell Comics, vols. 1–2, edited by Daniel Herman (Hermes)
• Witzend, by Wallace Wood et al., edited by Gary Groth, with Mike Catron (Fantagraphics)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

• Beautiful Darkness, by Fabien Vehlmann & Kerascoët (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Blacksad: Amarillo, by Juan Díaz Canales & Juanjo Guarnido (Dark Horse)
• Corto Maltese: Under the Sign of Capricorn, by Hugo Pratt (IDW/Euro Comics)
• Jaybird, by Lauri & Jaakko Ahonen (Dark Horse/SAF)
• The Leaning Girl, by Benoît Peeters & François Schuiten (Alaxis Press)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia

• All You Need Is Kill, by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, Ryosuke Takeuchi, Takeshi Obata & yoshitoshi ABe (VIZ)
• In Clothes Called Fat, by Moyoco Anno (Vertical)
• Master Keaton, vol 1, by Naoki Urasawa, Hokusei Katsushika, & Takashi Nagasaki (VIZ)
• One-Punch Man, by One & Yusuke Murata (VIZ)
• Showa 1939–1943 and Showa 1944–1953: A History of Japan, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki, by Mamoru Hosada & Yu (Yen Press)

Best Writer

• Jason Aaron, Original Sin, Thor, Men of Wrath (Marvel); Southern Bastards (Image)
• Kelly Sue DeConnick, Captain Marvel (Marvel); Pretty Deadly (Image)
• Grant Morrison, The Multiversity (DC); Annihilator (Legendary Comics)
• Brian K. Vaughan, Saga (Image); Private Eye (Panel Syndicate)
• G. Willow Wilson, Ms. Marvel (Marvel)
• Gene Luen Yang, Avatar: The Last Airbender (Dark Horse); The Shadow Hero (First Second)

Best Writer/Artist

• Sergio Aragonés, Sergio Aragonés Funnies (Bongo); Groo vs. Conan (Dark Horse)
• Charles Burns, Sugar Skull (Pantheon)
• Stephen Collins, The Giant Beard That Was Evil (Picador)
• Richard McGuire, Here (Pantheon)
• Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo: Senso, Usagi Yojimbo Color Special: The Artist (Dark Horse)
• Raina Telgemeier, Sisters (Graphix/Scholastic)

Best Penciller/Inker

• Adrian Alphona, Ms. Marvel (Marvel)
• Mike Allred, Silver Surfer (Marvel); Madman in Your Face 3D Special (Image)
• Frank Quitely, Multiversity (DC)
• François Schuiten, The Leaning Girl (Alaxis Press)
• Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)
• Babs Tarr, Batgirl (DC)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

• Lauri & Jaakko Ahonen, Jaybird (Dark Horse)
• Colleen Coover, Bandette (Monkeybrain)
• Mike Del Mundo, Elektra (Marvel)
• Juanjo Guarnido, Blacksad: Amarillo (Dark Horse)
• J. H. Williams III, The Sandman: Overture (Vertigo/DC)

Best Cover Artist

• Darwyn Cooke, DC Comics Darwyn Cooke Month Variant Covers (DC)
• Mike Del Mundo, Elektra, X-Men: Legacy, A+X, Dexter, Dexter Down Under (Marvel)
• Francesco Francavilla, Afterlife with Archie (Archie); Grindhouse: Doors Open at Midnight (Dark Horse); The Twilight Zone, Django/Zorro (Dynamite); X-Files (IDW)
• Jamie McKelvie/Matthew Wilson, The Wicked + The Divine (Image); Ms. Marvel (Marvel)
• Phil Noto, Black Widow (Marvel)
• Alex Ross, Astro City (Vertigo/DC); Batman 66: The Lost Episode, Batman 66 Meets Green Hornet (DC/Dynamite)

Best Coloring

• Laura Allred, Silver Surfer (Marvel); Madman in Your Face 3D Special (Image)
• Nelson Daniel, Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland, Judge Dredd, Wild Blue Yonder (IDW)
• Lovern Kindzierski, The Graveyard Book, vols. 1-2 (Harper)
• Matthew Petz, The Leg (Top Shelf)
• Dave Stewart, Hellboy in Hell, BPRD, Abe Sapien, Baltimore, Lobster Johnson, Witchfinder, Shaolin Cowboy, Aliens: Fire and Stone, DHP (Dark Horse)
• Matthew Wilson, Adventures of Superman (DC); The Wicked + The Divine (Image), Daredevil, Thor (Marvel)

Best Lettering

• Joe Caramagna, Ms. Marvel, Daredevil (Marvel)
• Todd Klein, Fables, The Sandman: Overture, The Unwritten (Vertigo/DC); Nemo: The Roses of Berlin (Top Shelf)
• Max, Vapor (Fantagraphics)
• Jack Morelli, Afterlife with Archie, Archie, Betty and Veronica, etc. (Archie)
• Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo: Senso, Usagi Yojimbo Color Special: The Artist (Dark Horse)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

• Alter Ego, edited by Roy Thomas (TwoMorrows)
• Comic Book Creator, edited by Jon B. Cooke (TwoMorrows)
• Comic Book Resources, edited by Jonah Weiland, www.comicbookresources.com (link is external)
• Comics Alliance, edited by Andy Khouri, Caleb Goellner, Andrew Wheeler, & Joe Hughes, www.comicsalliance.com (link is external)
• tcj.com, (link is external) edited by Dan Nadel & Timothy Hodler (Fantagraphics)

Best Comics-Related Book

• Comics Through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas (4 vols.), edited by M. Keith Booker (ABC-CLIO)
• Creeping Death from Neptune: The Life and Comics of Basil Wolverton, by Greg Sadowski (Fantagraphics)
• Genius Animated: The Cartoon Art of Alex Toth, vol. 3, by Dean Mullaney & Bruce Canwell (IDW/LOAC)
• What Fools These Mortals Be: The Story of Puck, by Michael Alexander Kahn & Richard Samuel West (IDW/LOAC)
• 75 Years of Marvel Comics: From the Golden Age to the Silver Screen, by Roy Thomas & Josh Baker (TASCHEN)

Best Scholarly/Academic Work

• American Comics, Literary Theory, and Religion: The Superhero Afterlife, by A. David Lewis (Palgrave Macmillan)
• Considering Watchmen: Poetics, Property, Politics, by Andrew Hoberek (Rutgers University Press)
• Funnybooks: The Improbable Glories of the Best American Comic Books, by Michael Barrier (University of California Press)
• Graphic Details: Jewish Women’s Confessional Comics in Essays and Interviews, edited by Sarah Lightman (McFarland)
• The Origins of Comics: From William Hogarth to Winsor McCay, by Thierry Smolderen, tr. by Bart Beaty & Nick Nguyen (University Press of Mississippi)
• Wide Awake in Slumberland: Fantasy, Mass Culture, and Modernism in the Art of Winsor McCay, by Katherine Roeder (University Press of Mississippi)

Best Publication Design

• Batman: Kelley Jones Gallery Edition, designed by Josh Beatman/Brainchild Studios (Graphitti/DC)
• The Complete ZAP Comix Box Set, designed by Tony Ong (Fantagraphics)
• Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, designed by Jim Rugg (Locust Moon)
• Street View, designed by Pascal Rabate (NBM/Comics Lit)
• Winsor McCay’s Complete Little Nemo, designed by Anna Tina Kessler (TASCHEN)

-----------------


The Eisner Awards judges have selected two individuals to automatically be inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame for 2015. These inductees are Marjorie ”Marge” Henderson Buell (creator of Little Lulu) and Bill Woggon (creator of Katy Keene).

The judges have also chosen 13 nominees from which voters will select 4 to be inducted in the Hall of Fame this summer. These nominees are Lynda Barry, John Byrne, Chris Claremont, Howard Cruse, Kim Deitch, Matt Groening, Denis Kitchen, Frank Miller, Francoise Mouly, Paul S. Newman, Lily Renée Peters Phillips, Bob Powell, and Frank Robbins.

----------------

Terra Formars: Spine-Tailed Swift

I read Terra Formars, Vol. 5

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

Review: "The Uncanny Inhumans #0" Has Soule Power

THE UNCANNY INHUMANS #0

WRITER: Charles Soule
PENCILER: Steve McNiven
INKER: Jay Leisten
COLORIST: Justin Ponsor
LETTERER: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Steven McNiven with  Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Simone Bianchi; Jim Cheung; Jerome Opena; Siya Oum; Mike Perkins with Christian Ward

“Things to Come” Double-Page Spread by Brandon Peterson

“End Times”

Marvel has been pumping up the Inhumans for a while.  They have been popping up all over the Marvel Universe.  Inhumans and Ms. Marvel have been two good additions to the Marvel line-up of series.  Now, they give us The Uncanny Inhumans.  Everybody is “uncanny” these days.  I can't wait until the Uncanny Power Pack hits the stands.

Back to the reason for this review:  As an appetizer for the main course, The Uncanny Inhumans #0 left my mouth watering.  Charles Soule subtly foreshadows future conflicts that Black Bolt and the Inhumans will be facing.  Just in this issue, we get to see some street level crime, some royal family drama, father-son conflict, and an evil master of time.  Soule piqued my interest with each of these story lines.

With Black Bolt, a writer has to use other characters and events to direct us through the story line.  Even then, we can only assume what Black Bolt's intentions are in relation to the true direction of the story.  Medusa claims that she knows what Black Bolt is thinking, but who really knows.  Black Bolt is the biggest mystery in his own stories.  Soule uses this aspect of the character to build our anticipation of coming events.  Oh, yeah!  Black Bolt is an awesome “insert your own slang.”  Mine included a lot of profanity and bureaucrat was not one.

As a “0” issue, this has been one of the best reads in awhile, and Soule was effective in his use of what is basically a preview of things to come.  Most of the time, “0” issues are epic fails, and I don't like to waste energy on them.

“Evolution”
Writer: Ryan Stegman; Artist: Ryan Lee; Colors: James Campbell

Marvel was so kind as to give us a bonus feature in The Uncanny Inhumans #0.  Like we are willing to give $5 for anything they deem worthy.  This was a cool back-up featuring Iso and Flint.  We get good action, and the characters reach turning points in their lives.  This story added a different flavor to the issue.  The issue just keeps drawing you into the Inhuman universe.

This is the book for all comic book art aficionados.  Give all the artists who worked on this issue their credit.  You go through page after page of beautiful Steve McNiven art; then, BAM! you get hit with the Brandon Peterson spread.  This is the kind of art that makes you feel like you owe Marvel some money.  I wonder if Peterson saw McNiven's art before he did his spread and knew he had to turn up.  Wait.  I'm going back and look at this book again.

I rate this issue “Buy Your Own Copy” (#2 on the Al-o-Meter), and the art alone is worth every penny!

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

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

Review: GYO Deluxe Edition

GYO DELUXE EDITION
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTONIST: Junji Ito
TRANSLATION & ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Yuji Oniki
LETTERS: Stephen Dutro
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7915-3; paperback (April 2015); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
400pp, B&W with some color, $22.99 U.S., $26.99 CAN, £14.99 UK

Gyo is a horror manga written and drawn by Junji Ito.  Gyo was originally serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Big Comic Spirits, in 2001 and 2002.  Gyo follows a young man and his girlfriend who witness the beginning of an invasion of the Japanese island of Okinawa by mutated sea creatures.  They return to Tokyo only to discover that the invasion has followed them.

VIZ Media first published the series in English in 2003.  In 2007, VIZ released a second printing that collected Gyo in two paperback graphic novels.  VIZ Media is publishing Gyo in English again.  Gyo Deluxe Edition is a 2-in-1 book collecting both paperbacks in a single hardcover edition.  This definitive edition of Gyo features a new cover design and full-color end papers.  The Gyo Deluxe Edition will be published under the VIZ Signature imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $22.99 U.S. and $26.99 CAN.  Gyo Deluxe Edition also reprints two short stories by Junji Ito, “The Sad Tale of the Principal Post” and “The Enigma of Amigara Fault.”  Both stories were reprinted in Gyo Volume 2.

Gyo finds a young man named Tadashi and his girlfriend, Kaori Sawahara, vacationing on the Japanese island of Okinawa.  Kaori is whiny and neurotic, and that is why Tadashi mostly ignores her complaints about a terrible smell.  After a peculiar encounter near their hotel, they find a strange fish with spider-like legs in their room.  Soon, Tadashi and Kaori discover that the horrible death-stench is just the first sign that many strange denizens of the sea are invading the island.  They return to Tokyo only to discover they have escaped neither the stench nor the grotesque visitors from the sea.

This is my second reading of the Gyo manga.  I think that no matter how times I read this masterpiece of 21st century horror it will retain its ability to unsettle me.  Junji Ito is the illustrator that H.P. Lovecraft (one of Ito's influences) would have wanted to bring his writing to life as black and white drawings.

Graphically, Gyo has the power to transform the reader's mind.  It actually made me feel itchy; in fact, many sequences made me feel like I immediately needed a hot shower or two.  The chapter, “Shark Attack,” is one of the scariest, most visually striking comics sequences that I have ever read.  It is genius.  I'm jealous.  I wish I could create a comic book that did what Gyo does to me.

I recommend Gyo Deluxe Edition without hesitation or qualification to fans of horror comic books.  It is a masterpiece by one of the international masters of the comics medium.  Anyone who has ever read and enjoyed a horror comic will find joy in Gyo Deluxe Edition, and those who have never enjoyed horror comics will finally discover one that they can like.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Read Webcomic Grumble: Chapter Two - Page 1

Grumble Chapter Two, Page 1 is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbletwopage001.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

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 22, 2015

DC COMICS

FEB150240     BATMAN 66 #22     $2.99
DEC140386     BATMAN 66 HC VOL 03     $19.99
JAN150377     BATMAN 66 TP VOL 02     $14.99
FEB150238     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT #3     $3.99
FEB150146     CONVERGENCE #3     $3.99
FEB150194     CONVERGENCE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #1     $3.99
FEB150196     CONVERGENCE BATMAN & THE OUTSIDERS #1     $3.99
FEB150198     CONVERGENCE FLASH #1     $3.99
FEB150200     CONVERGENCE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1     $3.99
FEB150202     CONVERGENCE HAWKMAN #1     $3.99
FEB150204     CONVERGENCE JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #1     $3.99
FEB150206     CONVERGENCE NEW TEEN TITANS #1     $3.99
FEB150208     CONVERGENCE SUPERBOY & THE LEGION #1     $3.99
FEB150210     CONVERGENCE SWAMP THING #1     $3.99
FEB150212     CONVERGENCE WONDER WOMAN #1     $3.99
FEB150281     EFFIGY #4 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150372     JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 TP VOL 02 THE CAMELOT WAR (N52)     $14.99
FEB150272     MAD MAGAZINE #533     $5.99
FEB150287     SUICIDERS #3 (MR)     $3.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
NOV140348     BATMAN ANIMATED NBA CREEPER AF     $24.95
NOV140356     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY IVAN REIS     $79.95

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 22, 2015

MARVEL COMICS

FEB150820     ALL NEW X-MEN #40     $3.99
FEB150724     AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #17.1     $3.99
FEB150824     AMAZING X-MEN #19     $3.99
JAN150836     AVENGERS MAGAZINE #1     $9.99
FEB150696     AVENGERS MILLENNIUM #4     $3.99
FEB150687     AVENGERS OPERATION HYDRA #1     $3.99
FEB150717     AVENGERS WORLD #20 TRO     $3.99
FEB150809     BLACK WIDOW #17     $3.99
FEB150741     GOTG AND X-MEN BLACK VORTEX OMEGA #1 BV     $4.99
FEB150746     GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #26     $3.99
FEB158110     HOWARD THE DUCK #1 QUINONES 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
FEB150795     HULK #15     $3.99
JAN150909     HULK FUTURE IMPERFECT TP NEW PTG     $19.99
FEB150673     INHUMAN SPECIAL #1     $4.99
DEC140977     LOKI AGENT OF ASGARD TP VOL 02 I CANNOT TELL A LIE     $17.99
FEB150757     MARVEL UNIVERSE GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #3     $2.99
FEB158128     PRINCESS LEIA #1 DODSON 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
FEB158109     SILK #2 JOHNSON 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
FEB158104     SPIDER-GWEN #2 RODRIGUEZ 2ND PTG VAR     $3.99
JAN150908     SPIDER-MAN COMPLETE ALIEN COSTUME SAGA TP BOOK 02     $44.99
FEB150684     STAR WARS #4     $3.99
JAN150888     SUPERIOR IRON MAN PREM HC VOL 01 INFAMOUS     $24.99
FEB150767     TRUE BELIEVERS ARMOR WARS #1     $1.00
FEB150760     TRUE BELIEVERS INFINITY GAUNTLET #1     $1.00
FEB150779     UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #4     $3.99
JAN150895     VISION YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW TP NEW PTG     $19.99
FEB150828     WOLVERINES #15     $3.99
JAN150898     WOLVERINES TP VOL 01 DANCING WITH DEVIL     $15.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 22, 2015

IDW PUBLISHING

FEB150335     ANGRY BIRDS #10     $3.99
NOV140487     BEST OF EC ARTIST ED HC VOL 02     PI
DEC140593     BORDERLANDS FALL OF FYRESTONE #8 TANNIS & THE VAULT PT 4     $3.99
JAN150503     CARTOON NETWORK ALL-STAR OMNIBUS TP     $24.99
DEC140589     COMPLETE LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE HC VOL 11     $49.99
JAN150552     CREEPLE PEEPLE #3     $3.99
FEB150450     DRONES #1     $3.99
FEB150325     EDWARD SCISSORHANDS #7 WHOLE AGAIN     $3.99
FEB150345     EMPIRE UPRISING #1     $3.99
FEB150353     FLY OUTBREAK #2     $3.99
FEB150327     GALAXY QUEST JOURNEY CONTINUES #4     $3.99
FEB150379     GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #213     $3.99
FEB150433     GODZILLA RULERS OF THE EARTH #23     $3.99
FEB150348     INFINITE LOOP #1     $3.99
FEB150332     LITTLEST PET SHOP SPRING CLEANING (ONE SHOT)     $7.99
FEB150333     LITTLEST PET SHOP SPRING CLEANING (ONE SHOT) SUBSCRIPTION VA     $7.99
DEC142561     MACHI KORO GAME MAT     $19.99
FEB150423     MAXX MAXXIMIZED #18     $3.99
FEB150372     MIAMI VICE REMIX #2     $3.99
FEB150321     MY LITTLE PONY FIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #4 NIGHTMARE MOON     $3.99
FEB150453     POPEYE CLASSICS ONGOING #33     $3.99
FEB150343     POWERPUFF GIRLS SUPER SMASH-UP #4     $3.99
FEB150440     ROBERT HEINLEINS CITIZEN OF THE GALAXY #3     $3.99
FEB150418     ROT & RUIN TP WARRIOR SMART     $19.99
JAN150504     SAMURAI JACK #18     $3.99
FEB150339     SKYLANDERS #8 RTN OF DRAGON KING     $3.99
OCT140520     STARLING HC ASHLEY WOOD BOOK 01     $17.99
FEB150404     TMNT COLOR CLASSICS SERIES 3 #4     $3.99
DEC140535     TRANSFORMERS CLASSICS TP VOL 08     $29.99
FEB150398     TRANSFORMERS WINDBLADE COMBINER WARS #2     $3.99
FEB150309     UNCLE SCROOGE #1     $3.99
NOV140416     WILD BLUE YONDER HC     $29.99
FEB150415     WINTERWORLD TP VOL 02 STRANDED     $17.99
JAN150548     WORMWOOD GENTLEMAN CORPSE HC THE FIRST FEW PINTS     $49.99
FEB150361     X-FILES SEASON 10 HC VOL 04     $24.99
FEB150427     ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS #4     $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 22, 2015

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC140107     ART OF THE UNCHARTED TRILOGY HC     $39.99
FEB150055     BTVS SEASON 10 #14 MAIN CVR     $3.50
FEB150091     CREEPY COMICS #20     $3.99
DEC140093     CRIMNIAL MACABRE THIRD CHILD TP     $17.99
NOV140120     FRANK FRAZETTA DEATH DEALER STEIN     $19.99
FEB150071     FRANKENSTEIN UNDERGROUND #2     $3.50
OCT140149     GAME OF THRONES FIGURE JOFFREY BARATHEON     $24.99
JAN150181     GAME OF THRONES PLAYING CARDS 2ND ED     $4.99
DEC140091     GRINDHOUSE DRIVE IN BLEED OUT #4     $3.99
FEB150107     HALO ESCALATION #17     $3.99
OCT140141     LEGEND KORRA AANG MEMORIAL STATUE     $149.99
FEB150018     MIND MGMT #32     $3.99
FEB150026     MISTER X RAZED #3     $3.99
DEC140084     STRAIN HC VOL 02 THE FALL     $29.99
FEB150108     TOMB RAIDER #15     $3.99
DEC140071     WITCHFINDER TP VOL 03 MYSTERIES OF UNLAND     $19.99
DEC140119     X TP VOL 05 FLESH AND BLOOD (MR)     $14.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 22, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

JAN150576     BEYOND BELIEF #1 CVR A HESTER     $3.50
JAN150577     BEYOND BELIEF #1 CVR B WU     $3.50
JAN150578     BEYOND BELIEF #1 CVR C CAST PHOTO     $3.50
FEB150597     CHEW #48 (MR)     $2.99
FEB158277     CHRONONAUTS #1 2ND PTG (MR)     $3.50
FEB150518     CRIMINAL TP VOL 04 BAD NIGHT (MR)     $14.99
FEB150510     DEADLY CLASS #12 CVR A CRAIG (MR)     $3.50
FEB150511     DEADLY CLASS #12 CVR B OPENA (MR)     $3.50
FEB150605     EMPTY #3     $3.50
FEB150611     INTERSECT #6 CVR A FAWKES (MR)     $3.50
FEB150612     INTERSECT #6 CVR B ZDARSKY (MR)     $3.50
FEB150614     INVISIBLE REPUBLIC #2 (MR)     $2.99
FEB150480     KAPTARA #1     $3.50
FEB150615     LAZARUS #16 (MR)     $3.50
DEC140742     MANIFEST DESTINY #14 (MR)     $2.99
FEB150530     MPH TP     $14.99
FEB150623     POSTAL #3 CVR A SEJIC     $3.99
FEB150624     POSTAL #3 CVR B GOODHART     $3.99
FEB150629     SATELLITE SAM #13 (MR)     $3.50
SEP140760     VELVET #10 (MR)     $3.50

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS
DEC140788     HALO 4 SERIES 3 AF     PI
DEC140789     HALO 4 SERIES 3 CMDR PALMER AF     PI
DEC140791     HALO 4 SERIES 3 JUL MDAMA AF     PI
DEC140790     HALO 4 SERIES 3 SPARTAN THORNE AF     PI

Comics, Magazine and Books from Diamond Distributors for April 22, 2015

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JAN151588     12 BEAST GN VOL 01 (MR)     $12.99
FEB158329     ADVENTURE TIME #36 (2ND PTG)     $3.99
FEB151188     ADVENTURE TIME #39     $3.99
DEC141575     ADVENTURES OF BASIL AND MOEBIUS HC VOL 01 (MR)     $19.99
FEB151740     AKAME GA KILL GN VOL 02     $13.00
JAN151673     ARMOR HUNTERS DLX ED HC     $49.99
JAN151088     BALLISTIC TP VOL 01 (MR)     $14.99
FEB151741     BARAKAMON GN VOL 04     $15.00
FEB151096     BART SIMPSON BLASTOFF TP     $15.99
FEB150976     BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #233     $6.99
FEB150956     BLACK HOOD #3 REG FRANCAVILLA CVR (MR)     $3.99
FEB151216     BLAKE & MORTIMER GN VOL 20 SEPTIMUS WAVE     $15.95
JAN151393     CAPTAIN KEN GN VOL 01     $13.95
JAN151596     CAPTAIN STONE #5 (MR)     $3.99
FEB151477     CARTOON INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY TP     $17.95
FEB151784     CHARMED SEASON 10 #7 A CVR SEIDMAN (MR)     $3.99
JAN151305     CHASTITY TP VOL 01 LIFE DEATH     $19.99
JAN151584     CLAY LORD MASTERS OF GOLEMS GN VOL 01     $12.99
FEB151156     CLIVE BARKERS NIGHTBREED #12 (MR)     $3.99
FEB151133     CURB STOMP #3     $3.99
FEB151147     DAWN OF PLANET OF APES #6     $3.99
FEB151680     DEATH DEFYING DR MIRAGE TP     $9.99
SEP141395     DF ALL NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 GOLD ED ROMITA SR SGN     $299.99
OCT141448     DF AVENGERS X-MEN AXIS #1 DF EXC ROMITA SR SGN     PI
NOV141411     DF DAWN VAMPIRELLA #1 MIDTOWN EXC LINSNER     $15.00
NOV141404     DF JUSTICE #1 BCC ARTBOARD EXC ROSS SGN     $49.99
DEC141472     DF STAR WARS #1 REMARK HAESER JANGO FETT SKETCH     PI
DEC141480     DF WOLVERINES #1 REMARK HAESER SABRETOOTH COLOR SKETCH     $81.00
DEC141559     DISNEY 101 DALMATIANS CINESTORY TP VOL 01     $14.99
DEC141560     DISNEY PHINEAS AND FERB OMNIBUS TP VOL 01     $14.99
JAN158294     DIVINITY #1 3RD PTG     $3.99
FEB151664     DIVINITY #3 CVR A KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC (NEXT)     $3.99
FEB151665     DIVINITY #3 CVR B MULLER (NEXT)     $3.99
JAN151116     EVIL EMPIRE TP VOL 01     $14.99
FEB151010     FATHOM KIANI VOL 4 #3 DIRECT MARKET CVR A     $3.99
FEB151011     FATHOM KIANI VOL 4 #3 DIRECT MARKET CVR B     $3.99
FEB150881     FIGHT LIKE A GIRL LEARNING CURVE TP     $14.99
DEC141330     FRANK THORNE RED SONJA ART ED HC SGN VOL 03     $300.00
DEC141329     FRANK THORNE RED SONJA ART ED HC VOL 03     $150.00
JAN150979     GEARHEARTS STEAMPUNK MUSICAL SPECIAL #1 (ONE SHOT)     $3.99
FEB151768     GFT LITTLE MERMAID #3 A CVR KROME (MR)     $3.99
FEB151769     GFT LITTLE MERMAID #3 B CVR ANDOLFO (MR)     $3.99
FEB151770     GFT LITTLE MERMAID #3 C CVR MENDONCA (MR)     $3.99
FEB158330     GIANT DAYS #1 (2ND PTG)     $3.99
FEB151070     GOD IS DEAD #33 (MR)     $3.99
FEB151072     GOD IS DEAD #33 CARNAGE WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
FEB151074     GOD IS DEAD #33 ENCHANTING CVR (MR)     $3.99
FEB151073     GOD IS DEAD #33 END OF DAYS CVR (MR)     $3.99
FEB151071     GOD IS DEAD #33 ICONIC CVR (MR)     $3.99
FEB150912     HAUNTER GN     $15.00
DEC141429     HOLMES VS HOUDINI #5 CVR A CAMPBELL MAIN     $3.99
FEB151742     INU X BOKU SS TP VOL 07     $11.99
FEB151217     IRS TP VOL 06 BLACK GOLD WAR     $11.95
FEB151743     KAGEROU DAZE GN VOL 01     $13.00
FEB151218     KENYA GN VOL 02 ENCOUNTERS     $11.95
JAN151285     KING FLASH GORDON #3     $3.99
FEB151086     LADY MECHANIKA TABLET OF DESTINIES #1 MAIN CVRS (MR)     $3.99
FEB151328     LADY RAWHIDE LADY ZORRO #2     $3.99
FEB151361     LEGENDERRY GREEN HORNET #3 RARE DAVILA VIRGIN CVR     $50.00
FEB151272     LEGENDERRY RED SONJA #3     $3.99
FEB151489     LETS DANCE A WALTZ GN VOL 01     $10.99
FEB151529     LIFE AFTER #9 (MR)     $3.99
FEB151219     LUCKY LUKE TP VOL 51 PAINTER     $11.95
FEB151358     MASKS 2 #1 RARE WORLEY MISS FURY VIRGIN CVR     $50.00
NOV141179     MELUSINE GN VOL 01 HOCUS POCUS     $9.99
JAN151611     MONO V2 #1     $3.99
FEB150934     NATHAN HALES HAZARDOUS TALES HC VOL 05 UNDERGROUND ABDUCTOR     $12.95
FEB151651     NINJAK #2 CVR A LAROSA (NEXT)     $3.99
FEB151652     NINJAK #2 CVR B JOHNSON (NEXT)     $3.99
FEB151653     NINJAK #2 CVR C GUERRA (NEXT)     $3.99
FEB151334     PATHFINDER HC VOL 03 CITY OF SECRETS     $29.99
FEB151744     PUELLA MAGI TART MAGICA LEGEND OF JEANNE D ARC GN VOL 01     $13.00
FEB151166     REALIST ORIGINAL GN HC (MR)     $24.99
FEB151359     REANIMATOR #1 RARE FRANCAVILLA VIRGIN CVR     $50.00
MAR151253     RED SONJA TRAVELS TP VOL 02     $29.99
OCT140978     ROMAN RITUAL #4 (MR)     $3.99
FEB151587     ROOM FOR LOVE HC GN     $22.95
AUG141586     SCOTT PILGRIM COLOR HC VOL 06     $24.99
DEC141589     SCOTT PILGRIM COLOR HC VOL 06     $24.99
FEB151515     SEPARATORS #5     $3.99
DEC141593     SIXTH GUN GUNSLINGER ED HC VOL 02     $80.00
FEB151745     SO I CANT PLAY H GN VOL 01 (MR)     $13.00
DEC141372     SOLAR MAN OF ATOM #11 CVR A LAMING MAIN     $3.99
FEB150988     SONIC UNIVERSE #75 REG CVR     $3.99
FEB151157     SUICIDE RISK #24     $3.99
FEB151746     SWORD ART ONLINE PROGRESSIVE GN VOL 02     $13.00
FEB151747     TENA ON S STRING GN VOL 07 (NOTE PRICE)     $30.00
DEC141591     TERRIBLE LIZARD TP     $19.99
FEB151547     THRILLING ADVENTURES OF LOVELACE & BABBAGE HC GN     $28.95
FEB151498     TOWN CALLED DRAGON TP VOL 01     $14.99
FEB151346     TUROK DINOSAUR HUNTER TP VOL 02 WEST     $16.99
FEB151725     VAGABOND GN VOL 37 (MR)     $9.95
JAN150933     VAMPLETS NIGHTMARE NURSERY #1     $3.99
FEB151223     WISHER GN VOL 03 GLEE     $11.95
FEB151686     WITCHCRAFT WORKS GN VOL 04     $12.95
JAN150958     WOODLAND WELFARE MANIFESTO GN     $7.95
FEB151224     XIII CINEBOOK ED GN VOL 20 BAIT     $11.95
DEC148406     YOUR LIE IN APRIL GN VOL 01     $10.99
FEB150897     ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #10 MAIN CVR (MR)     $3.99

MAGAZINES
JAN151567     2000 AD PACK MAR 2015     $21.40
JAN151865     ALTER EGO #132     $8.95
JAN151866     BACK ISSUE #80     $8.95
FEB151085     BLEEDING COOL MAGAZINE #16 (MR)     $5.99
FEB151867     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1453     PI
FEB151869     COMIC SHOP NEWS FCBD 2015 SPECIAL #32     PI
JAN151872     DOCTOR WHO ESSENTIAL GUIDE #4 THE MASTER     $19.99
OCT141886     DRAW #30 (MR)     $8.95
FEB151885     LOCUS #651     $7.50
OCT141899     MEGAMI JAN 2015     $16.60
OCT141900     NEWTYPE JAN 2015     $16.00
FEB151877     SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE #97     $9.95
FEB151871     ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN MAGAZINE #3     $4.99

BOOKS
JAN151510     DAY OT DESTROYERS NOVEL HC JIMMIE FLINT AGENT X11 AMERICA     $23.95
FEB151748     DEVIL IS PART TIMER LIGHT NOVEL VOL 01     $14.00
JAN151847     ELDER SCROLLS ONLINE TALES OF TAMRIEL HC VOL 01 LAND     $34.99
FEB151417     HARVEY KURTZMAN HC MAD AND HUMOR IN AMERICA     $34.99
FEB151749     IS IT WRONG TRY PICK UP GIRLS IN DUNGEON NOVEL VOL 02     $14.00
FEB151828     JOSS WHEDON COMP COMPANION REVISED & UPDATED SC     $19.95
FEB151750     LOG HORIZON LIGHT NOVEL VOL 01     $14.00
NOV141244     MAGE WARS NATURE OF THE BEAST NOVEL     $12.99
FEB151830     NEIL GAIMAN INSTRUCTIONS POB HC     $8.99
FEB151751     NO GAME NO LIFE LIGHT NOVEL VOL 01     $14.00
FEB151752     SPICE AND WOLF NOVEL VOL 14 (MR)     $13.00
MAR151757     VOICES FROM KRYPTON UNOFF ADV OF SUPERMAN FILM & COMICS     $19.95
FEB152676     WARHAMMER 40K DAMNATION OF PYTHOS MMPB     $9.99
JAN152624     WARHAMMER 40K DAMOCLES TP     $16.00

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


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