Saturday, October 31, 2020

I Reads You Juniors October 2020 - Update #100

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page

DC FUTURE STATE - From TheBeat:   A first look at "Nubai," the classic Wonder Woman character as she will be in DC Future State's "Immortal Wonder Woman."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  A beginner's guide to DC Comics horror.

COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group will team up with independent book publisher Chooseco to create a line of official "Choose Your Own Adventure" graphic novels adapting classic titles from the long-running line of "Choose Your Own Adventure" books.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  DC Comics previews its 2021 middle grade (9-12 years old) graphic novel releases... including a "Hellblazer" title.

COMICS - From ESPN:  Former Chicago Bear, Lance Briggs, is one of the creators of a superhero graphic novel, "The Trap."

DC COMICS - From BusinessInsider:   Two Black former DC Comics editors describe the career obstacles they faced, from white leadership saying they'd never be promoted to their achievements being undercut.

MANGA - From GamesRadar:   TOKYOPOP will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the "Resident Evil" video game with an original graphic novel that ties into the game, "Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  The next "Marvel Made" high-end, archival book will focus on the X-Men work of famed comic book scribe, Chris Claremont.

FANTAGRAPHICS - From BleedingCool:  August 2021, Fantagraphics Books will publish a collection of Jaime Hernandez's cartoon illustrations of women wrestlers, "Queen of the Rings: Wrestling Drawings.  Hernandez and his brother, Gilbert, are the creators of "Love and Rockets."

DC TV - From TheWrap:   Here is a first look at Jason Todd's Red Hood "supersuit" as seen in HBO Max's "Titans" Season 3.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Apparently, DC Comics did not drop UCS Comic Distributors.  UCS dropped DC.

DC TV - From Deadline:   The CW's reveals two new photos of the new Batwoman, Javicia Leslie, as "Ryan Wilder" in a redesigned "Bat-suit."

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  The artists working on the video game, "Mile Morales: Spider-Man" (for PS4 and PS5), are going to draw variant covers for four of Marvel Comics' "Spider-Man" titles shipping in November 2020.

COMICS - From Diamond:   Here is Diamond Comic Distributors "Top 100 Comics: September 2020."  "Venom #28" takes the top spot.

CONVENTION - From TheBeat:   Virtual Baltimore Comic-Con 2020 is live.

DC TV - From GamesRadar:   The CW's new "Batwoman," "Ryan Wilder," will appear in Batgirl #50, the final issue of that series.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics has revealed its "Marvel vs. Aliens" variant covers for January 2021.  And yes, I am talking about "Alien" film franchise.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Ted Adams' Clover Press will republish the entire 18-issuue run of Steve Niles and Scott Hampton's "Simon Dark" comic book series.  It was published by DC Comics/Vertigo from 2007 to 2009.

COMICS TO FILM - From Deadline:  MGM acquires the screen rights to the comic book, "Mercy Sparx," the creation of Josh Blaylock.

DC CINEMA - From IGN:   Actor Jared Leto who played "the Joker" in the film, "Suicide Squad," will reportedly return as the character in "Justice League: Snyder Cut."

MANGA - From BookRiot:   What is the difference between lesbian manga and "Yuri" manga?

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Today's (Wed., Oct. 21st) Marvel Comics includes tributes to "Black Panther" star, the late Chadwick Boseman.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Bleeding Cool talks to Image Comics star Todd McFarlane, Part One.
 
From BleedingCool: Bleeding Cool talks to Image Comics star Todd McFarlane, Part Two.
 
From BleedingCool:  Bleeding Cool talks to Image Comics star Todd McFarlane, Part Three.
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DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics UCS Comic Distributors; the last day to order DC from UCS is November 29, 2020.

COMICS - From GamesRadar:  Marco Rudy is using Kickstarter to fund his hand-painted original graphic novel, "RDW."

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   Oscar-winning screenwriter, John Ridley, has been writing comic books on-and-off for two decades.  In January, he writes for Marvel Comics for the first time when he contributes to the "Wolverine: Black, White and Blood" anthology.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Actor Michael B. Jordan and his production company, Outlier Society, join Reginald Hudlin on the "Static Shock" feature project for Warner Bros.  The film will be based on the DC/Milestone Media comic book, "Static." 

DC TV - From EW:  Actress Adrianne Palicki on starring in NBC's unaired pilot for a "Wonder Woman" TV series back in 2011.

DC COMICS - From FortressofSolitude:   Opinion: Why DC Comics' "Rorshach" is bad news for the comic book industry.

COMICS - From BusinessInsider:  How AWA, a comic book company founded by former Marvel executives, survived the COVID-19 pandemic after launching in March.

MANGA - From ScreenRant:  Yen Press has released a preview of its upcoming manga-graphic novel, "Leia: Princess of Alderaan."

COMICS - From TheBeat:  So Andrew Rev and Terrific Production have turned out to be what many comic book people expected them to be. 

DC FUTURE STATE NEWS:

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will make all their "Future State" comic books returnable for comic book stores.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  DC Future State Superman and Justice League January 2021 solicitations

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   DC Future State Batman January 2021 solicitations

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  "DC Future State" reveals the Next Batman, the fate of Bruce Wayne, and a whole new line of titles

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  "DC Future State" details.

DC Comics - From THR:   DC Comics is starting 2021 by looking into the future of its superhero universe with "DC Future State," a two-month publishing event (January and February 2021) that offers glimpses at what might be coming for Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League.
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DARK HORSE - From THR:   Dark Horse Comics will release "Avatar: The Next Shadow" in 2021.  It will be the first official continuation of James Cameron's 2009 film, "Avatar."

MANGA - From BleedingCool:   Yen Press Announces 11 New Titles at NYCC Metaverse

MARVEL TO FILM - From Messenger:  Luke Hemsworth, the 39-year-old brother of actor, Chris Hemsworth, would love to play Wolverine.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Georges Jeanty is the new artist on Marvel's USAgents comic book that Christopher Priest is writing.

STAN LEE - From WashPost:   The paper's website has a great piece entitled, "Five myths about Stan Lee" by Abraham Riesman.

DC COMICS - From DCComics:  The publisher's website offers a free preview of "Rorschach #1," which is due in stores October 13th.

MARVEL -From BleedingCool:   Artist Ryan Ottley is leaving "The Amazing Spider-Man" with issue #850 simply because he feels its.

DC TV - From Variety:  HBO Max has given a greenlight to a "Green Lantern" TV series and has ordered 10 episodes.  The series will focus on a number of Green Lanterns, including Guy Gardner and Jessica Cruz.

COMICS - From TheBeat:   Denton J. Tipton will head Heavy Metal's recently launched creator-owned impront, "Magma Comix." Tipton was formerly the managing editor at IDW Publishing.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announced the "Sword Art Online Platinum Collector's Edition," a deluxe limited edition box set of the iconic "Sword Art Online" light novel series written by Reki Kawahara with illustrations by abec.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics movies "Eternals #1" January 2021 from November 2020.

OGN - From THR:  Penguin Random House has acquired the publication rights to writer Tom Taylor and artist Jon Sommariva's graphic novel "Neverlanders," which is inspired by "Peter Pan." 

From GamesRadar:  Tom Taylor and Jon Sommariva's "Neverlanders" is part of a two-book graphic novel series.

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COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Award-winning science fiction and fantasy author, N.K. Jemisin, is also the writer-creator of the DC Comics title, "Far Sector."  Now, she is a member of the 2020 class of MacArthur Fellows, which comes with a five-year stipend.

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  There is a trademark battle over the terms, "Comicsgate"... if you care.

DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  For the UK market, Diamond UK will continue to distribute DC Comics titles.

COMICS TO MOVIES - From CinemaBlend:  "Why Spider-Man 3 And The Flash Have Me Concerned About The Future Of Comic Book Movies" by Dirk Libbey

MARVEL-HULU - From BleedingCool:  Jordan Blum and Patton Oswalt share info on the Hulu animated series, "Marvel's M.O.D.O.K."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Spider-Gwen" co-creator, Robbi Rodriguez, will help Valiant Comics relaunch "Harbinger."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Super hot variant cover artist, Peach Momoko, has signed on as a "Marvel exclusive" artist...reportedly. 

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics has announced "Marvel Stormbreakers,"its next "generation" of elite (mediocre) artists.

MANGA - From WhyThe:  A  list of cyberpunk manga.

DIAMOND - From TheBeat:   For the first time since the "Great Suspension" (when Diamond Comic Distributors stopped distributing product due to the COVID-19 shutdown), there is a Diamond monthly sales chart.  Marvel holds all top ten spots for August 2020, although it should be noted that DC Comics is no longer distributed by Diamond.

COMIC SHOPS - From NYDailyNews:   After being closed due to COVID-19, "Loot," the children's comic book shop in Brooklyn, NYC, has reopened.

COMICS - From Leader:   TidalWave Productions is producing a second comic book about Netflix's hit series, "Tiger King."

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Lucky retailers will receive a rare copy of Spawn #311 with a black and white variant cover tribute to the late actor Chadwick Boseman ("Black Panther").

MANGA - From ComicBook:  "One Piece" manga creator, Eiichiro Oda, may be pondering not producing another manga after he concludes "One Piece."

MANGA - From BookRiot:  The website offers "a glossary of manga" terms for manga newcomers.

DARK HORSE - From ComicYears:   Dark Horse Comics has announced a comic book adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel, "Norse Mythology," adapted by Gaiman and frequent collaborator, P. Craig Russell.

IN MEMORIAM - From LATimes: Cartoonist Joaquin Salvador Lavado, who worked under the pen name, "Quino," has died at the age of 88 in Mendoza, Argentina, the city where he was born.  He was best known for the satirical comic strip, "Malfada" (1964-1973), which starred a six-year-old girl named Mafalda.  The strip was very popular in Latin America and in the Spanish-speaking world.

DC COMICS - From DCComics:  DC provides a six-page preview of "American Vampire 1976 #1."

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Now, that DC Comics has left Diamond Comic Distributors, Image Comics has taken advantage and moved up to the #2 spot in Diamond marketplace share... behind Marvel, of course.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:   Yen Press announces "King of Eden" manga.

COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Really talented 1990s comic book artist, Aron Wiesenfeld, explains why he left comics.

MANGA - From ComicBook:  The complete run of the manga, "Shaman King," will be available for digital download at comiXology and for the Kindle beginning Oct. 6th.

COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Emmy-winning actress, Gillian Anderson ("The X-Files," "The Crown") is producing a comic book with artist, Gary Yap."  Entitled "55," the series will raise money for charity, and the first issue is now available through comiXology and the Kindle.

FANTAGRAPHICS - From FantaBlog:  "Tenacious D" (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) were on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" to promote their hot graphic novel, "Post-Apocalypto."

DC TV - From EW:  Actor Victor Morf, recently of Fox's "Gotham," has been cast as "Victor Zsasz," a villain in Season 2 of The CW's "Batwoman."

CONAN - From THR:  Netflix has acquired the rights to produced a TV series based on the "Conan the Barbarian" property.

DC TV - From Variety:   Season Two Batwoman star, Javicia Leslie, unveils first look at he new Batsuit.

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OCTOBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From 1stComicsNews:  AfterShock Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for October 2020

NOVEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Abaze for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press/Lion Forge for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for November 2020

DECEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for December 2020 

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Chapterhouse for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2020

From 2000AD:   Rebellion Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool: VIZ Media for December 2020

JANUARY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  AWA for January 2021 
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2021 
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2021 
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics - King in Black for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Titans Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Vertical Comics for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for January 2021
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for January 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for February 2021


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Friday, October 30, 2020

Book Review: THE SILENT WIFE

THE SILENT WIFE: A NOVEL (Will Trent Series #10)
HARPERCOLLINS/William Morrow

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

AUTHOR: Karin Slaughter
ISBN: 978-0-06-285810-8; paperback; 6x9in. (August 4, 2020)
496pp, B&W, $28.99 U.S., $35.99 CAN

The Silent Wife: A Novel is a 2020 crime novel from American crime writer, Karin Slaughter.  The Silent Wife is the tenth novel in Slaughter's “Will Trent Series,” which stars Will Trent, a special agent in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).  Another star characters is Sara Linton, a doctor and medical examiner from Slaughter's “Grant County” novels.  The Silent Wife finds Trent and Dr. Linton investigating a possible serial killer in a case that connects to Sara's late husband.

The Silent Wife finds the GBI investigating the killing of a prisoner, 38-year-old Jesus Rodrigo Vasquez, during a riot inside Phillips State Prison, a medium security state penitentiary in Buford, Georgia, not far from Atlanta.  During the investigation, GBI investigator Will Trent is confronted with disturbing information.  One of the inmates, Daryl Nesbitt, claims that he is innocent of a brutal attack on college student, Rebecca “Becky” Caterino, eight years earlier, for which he has always been the prime suspect.  Nesbitt, imprisoned for possessing child pornography, insists that he was framed by the corrupt law enforcement city police department of Heartsdale in Grant County.  The primary target of Nesbitt's accusation is Sara Linton's late husband, Jeffrey Tolliver, the former chief of Heartsdale.

Nesbitt claims that the real culprit in the attack on Becky Caterino is still out there – a serial killer who has systematically been preying on women across the state for years.  If Will reopens the investigation and implicates the dead police officer with a hero’s reputation of wrongdoing, the opportunistic Nesbitt says that he is willing to provide the information GBI needs about the riot murder of Vasquez and about an illegal phone distribution system inside the prison.

Only recently, another young woman, Alexandra McAllister, was found viciously murdered in a state park in northern Georgia.  Is it a fluke? Or could there be a serial killer on the loose?  Will realizes that he will have to crack a cold case to catch a killer that still might be active.  Will needs his girlfriend and Jeffrey Tolliver's widow, Sara, to help him hunt down a possible serial killer.  But when the past and present begin to collide, Will realizes that everything he values is at stake . . .

THE LOWDOWN:  I read a “galley copy” of The Silent Wife that William Morrow's marketing department provided to book reviewers and bloggers.  So this edition contains a kind of introduction and also a kind of afterword in which author Karin Slaughter emphasizes to readers that she decided to write a novel that was frank about violence against women.

Last year, I read Slaughter's novel, Pieces of Her, a most delicious read that was also filled with dangerous plot twists and crazy-ass characters.  The Silent Wife easily surpasses Pieces of Her in terms of being a pot boiler thriller that is demented fun to read.  That the killer is a sadistic freak, a savage rapist, and monstrous killer of women did not make me forget that the novel was trying to convey the reality of the almost casual threats of violence and actual violence that many women and girls face everyday.  One of the many things that Slaughter expertly gets across to her readers in The Silent Wife is the everlasting physical and psychological damage that women suffer as a result of the violence done to them by males.

And The Silent Wife is still a great entry in the suspense and mystery genres.  Slaughter does not have to preach to you, dear readers.  She simply crashes into your imagination with a mind-bending plot and superbly executed narrative – with a real-world purpose.  The Silent Wife is one of the best mystery thriller that you will read this year or any year.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of crime thrillers and of Karin Slaughter will want to read The Silent Wife.

10 out of 10

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


https://www.karinslaughter.com/
https://twitter.com/WmMorrowBooks
https://www.facebook.com/WilliamMorrowBooks
https://twitter.com/HarperCollins
https://www.harpercollins.com/


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Thursday, October 29, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: BLUE EXORCIST Volume 22

BLUE EXORCIST, VOL. 22
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Kazue Kato
TRANSLATION & ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: John Hunt, Primary Graphix
EDITOR: Mike Montesa
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0873-4; paperback (September 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
210pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Blue Exorcist is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kazue Kato.  The manga has been serialized in Shueisha's Jump Square magazine since April 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump Advanced” and “Shonen Jump” imprints since April 2011

Blue Exorcist focuses on Rin Okumura.  He has an argument with his foster father, the famous exorcist, Father Shiro Fujimoto.  That is how he learns that the Demon Lord Satan is his father!  Even after Satan suddenly appears and tries to drag him to hell, Rin is still determined to reject his demonic blood line.  He enrolls at True Cross Academy Private High School in order to train to become an exorcist.  Rin’s twin brother, Yukio Okumura, already an exorcist, is one of his instructors.

As Blue Exorcist, Vol. 22 (Chapters 99 to 103) opens, the seals binding the artificial “Gehenna Gate” are broken, and the world is beset by an invasion of demons.  The “Exwires” must fight without brothers, Rin and Yukio Okumara, the latter being under arrest.  Rin, meanwhile, has demanded that Mephisto Pheles, his and his brother's guardian, reveal the Okumara family's past to him.

Mephisto is more than delighted to use his time-traveling powers to show Rin what happened all those years ago.  Rin will meet his mother, Yuri Egin, as a girl and watch her grow, and he will meet his foster father, Shiro Fujimoto, who has a dark and troubled past.  But, Mephisto warns Rin, this story can only end in tragedy.

[This volume contains bonus comics, art, text, etc.]

THE LOWDOWN:  Once a year, I get around to reading the Blue Exorcist manga.  This calendar year, I have read five volumes.

Blue Exorcist Graphic Novel Volume 22 can be joined with Vols. 20 and 21 to form what is one of the series best three-volume runs that I have read.  At this point, creator Kazue Kato brings a turning point to the narrative, but Vol. 22 has a laser focus and is almost intimate in the way Kato unveils the past of the Okumara brothers.

John Werry's usually excellent translation reveals the story in delicate strokes with occasional intimate details.  John Hunt's lettering conveys the constant shifts in tone, especially in regards to Shiro Fujimoto's anger and bitterness.  If you are a manga reader not reading Blue Exorcist, dear readers, you are missing a tremendous read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers looking for dark magic and action comics will want to try the “Shonen Jump Advanced” title, Blue Exorcist.

A+
10 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

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Wednesday, October 28, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: MUJIRUSHI: The Sign of Dreams

MUJIRUSHI: THE SIGN OF DREAMS
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Naoki Urasawa
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Steve Dutro
EDITOR: Karla Clark
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1523-7; paperback with French flaps (July 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
272pp, B&W with some color, $19.99 U.S., $26.99 CAN, £15.99 U.K.

Located in Paris, the Louvre is the world's largest art museum (and perhaps it most famous).  Did you know, dear reader, that the Louvre also publishes comics?  Yes, the most famous art museum in the world has been commissioning French and international comics artists to write their own original stories inspired by the Louvre and its collection for about a decade.  The comics are published via a joint venture between the Louvre (under the imprint, “Louvre éditions”) and the French publisher known as “Futuropolis.”

One of the comics creators approached to produce a Louvre-inspired comic book is legendary “mangaka” (creator of manga), Naoki Urasawa, who is known for variety of titles, including Pineapple ARMY, Monster, and 20th Century Boys.  For the Louvre, Urasawa produced the manga, Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams, known in French as Mujirushi – Le signe des rêves.

Mujirushi was serialized in the Japanese seinen manga magazine, Big Comic Original, from October 20, 2017 to February 20, 2018.  The nine-chapter serial was eventually collected in a single volume (in both a standard and a deluxe edition) by Japanese publisher, Shogakukan.  Louvre éditions and Futuropolis first published Mujirushi in French in a single paperback volume in June 2018; then, as a two-volume manga set in August and October 2018, and finally, in a slipcase edition in November 2018.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of Mujirushi as single-volume, paperback graphic novel under its “VIZ Signature” imprint in July 2020.

Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams features an ensemble cast of characters.  The first is Takashi Kamoda, a failed businessman and tax cheat, who finds himself abandoned by his wife, hounded by creditors, and facing incarceration.  All Kamoda has left is his daughter, Kasumi, and now, he is considering suicide.

Fate brings Kamoda and Kasumi to the France Institute for Research (also known as the “La France Institute for Research”) and its odd director.  “The Director” wears a bow tie and his top front teeth are large and stick out his mouth, making his look like 1960s Japanese pop culture figure, “Iyami.”  A francophone, the Director tells Kamoda that he has a plan that will free him of his debts.  All Kamoda has to do is travel to France and abscond with “The Lacemaker,” a 17th century painting by the Dutch “Old Master” painter, Johannes Vermeer!

The plot also involves several other players.  Their is Michel, a French firefighter, and his singing grandmother, Madame Bardot.  “Kyoko” is the name of a mysterious Japanese woman from Michel and his grandmother's past.  There are French and Japanese police detectives.  Finally, there is Beverly Duncan, a billionaire businesswoman and celebrity who is running for President of the United States.  Oh, Beverly looks like a female Donald Trump!

THE LOWDOWN:  The Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams manga is the first work by Naoki Urasawa that I have read since I read the last volume of VIZ Media's edition of Master Keaton back in September 2017.  Urasawa is one of my favorite manga writer-artists, and I consider him to be one of the very best creators working in the comics medium over the last three decades.

Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams Graphic Novel is my least favorite work of his to date.  A very short work compared to Urasawa's best known manga, Mujirushi is basically a handy graphic novel package composed of Urasawa's familiar storytelling tropes.  First, it is a conspiracy wrapped inside a mystery that begins with a very important or pivotal origin story or back story that occurs decades earlier.

Second, the cast is a collection of odd and eccentric characters who are menacing or are at least behaving suspiciously.  The difference is that none of Mujirushi's characters have the depth and richness of the characters in Urasawa's best work.  Third, the art is trademark Urasawa, but there is nothing to really distinguish it from any other Urasawa graphical storytelling.

Still, even standard Naoki Urasawa is superior to most other mangaka and comics creators' best work.  John Werry's translation and English adaptation result in a story that is hard to stop reading.  Werry has fashioned something that your imagination can't stop chasing until it finds some kind of resolution... any kind of resolution.  Letterer Steve Dutro offers lettering, fonts, and effects that deftly capture the spirit of an Urasawa manga.  So while Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams isn't perfect, it is, to quote singer Grace Jones, perfect for you, dear Urasawa fans.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Naoki Urasawa will want the VIZ Signature graphic novel, Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams.

7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).



Tuesday, October 27, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: PING PONG: Volume 1

PING PONG, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Taiyo Matsumoto
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Michael Arias
LETTERS: Deron Bennett
EDITOR: Mike Montessa
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1165-9; paperback (May 2020)
530pp, B&W with some color, $29.99 US, $39.99 CAN, £23.99 UK

Ping Pong is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Taiyo Matsumoto, who is also the creator of the Tekkonkinkreet and Cats of the Louvre manga, to name a few.  Ping Pong was serialized in Japanese publisher, Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine, Big Comic Spirits, from 1996 to 1997.

Ping Pong tells the story of two boys, Makoto “Smile” Tsukimoto and Yutaka “Peco” Hoshino, who have been friends since childhood despite having drastically different personalities.  They are now both talented members of the table tennis (ping pong) club of Katase High School.  The series depicts the boys' different approach to table tennis.

Shogakukan originally collected Ping Pong's 55 chapters into six tankōbon volumes (graphic novels), and in 2014, Shogakukan re-released the manga in two book volumes under the new title, Ping Pong: Full Game No.  VIZ Media is publishing an English-language edition of Ping Pong: Full Game No as a two-volume, paperback omnibus set under its “VIZ Signature” imprint.

Ping Pong, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 27) introduces longtime friends, Smile and Peco, who are both on the table tennis team at Katase High School.  Peco is all-in as a player, believing that he can beat just about any other ping pong player anytime.  Smile is eccentric and rarely smiles, nor does he take the game of table tennis/ping pong that seriously.  In fact, it seems that he would rather lose than have his opponent experience the agony of losing.

Well, Katase High's Coach Jo Koizumi won't accept that.  He is determined to make Smile a great ping pong player, even if he has to use every trick in his playbook.  Meanwhile, straight out of China comes Wenge Kong, a Chinese ping pong prodigy recruited by the Japanese high school, Tsujido Polytechnic, as a “ringer.”  However, Kong has his own issues and struggles.

[This volume also includes Ping Pong Episode 0: “Tamura.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  Some may know the Ping Pong manga because of the 2002 Japanese live-action film, which is how I first learned of the manga.  Over the last decade and a half, Ping Pong's creator, Taiyo Matsumoto, has become something of a graphic novel star with the English-language releases of his manga,  especially Tekkonkinkreet, Sunny, and Cats of the Louvre.

Ping Pong Graphic Novel Volume 1 provides a look at one of Matsumoto's early long form series, and it reveals that Matsumoto himself was something of a prodigy.  The first 27 chapters of Ping Pong are an impressive display of different graphical storytelling approaches in presenting the personalities, character, and motivations of the story's main players.

In fact, the characters' personalities drive this story.  For instance, Peco's cocky and carefree nature acts as a counter to Smile's stubborn attitude and taciturn nature.  As I read this story, I could almost feel the characters falling on either side of the Peco/Smile divide, and, for me, this gives a spice to the ping pong matches.  Speaking of those, Matsumoto turns the ping pong matches into duels of furious speed and slashing moves in which the players and rackets move as fast as the ping pong balls.

With his translation, Michael Arias' does what he did for Cats of the Louvre – give the readers an engaging tale full of diverse personalities.  Deron Bennett's lettering changes as Matsumoto's illustrations shift in tone and style, both creatives giving this tale depth and richness.  With a title like Ping Pong, one might not think that this story could be as wonderful as it is, and it is indeed wonderful.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Taiyo Matsumoto will want the VIZ Signature edition of Ping Pong.

9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, October 26, 2020

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for October 28, 2020

BOOM! STUDIOS

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 28, 2020

DC COMICS

MAR200636    DC POSTER PORTFOLIO DCEASED TP    $24.99


Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for October 28, 2020

DYNAMITE

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 28, 2020

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Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 28, 2020

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JAN201939    2000 AD MARCH 2020 PROG PACK    $27.96
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JUL201571    VAN HELSING VS LEAGUE MONSTERS #6 CVR D SANTACRUZ    $5.99
AUG201039    VAULT OF CEREBUS ONE SHOT    $4.00
AUG201722    WASTED SPACE #16 (MR)    $3.99
AUG201232    WEED MAGIC #4 (OF 4) (RES) (MR)    $4.20
FEB201935    WEIRD ADVENTURES SOFTEE VOL 01 CITY OF LIVING DEAD VAR CVR (    $24.99
JUL201815    WHO SAYS WARRIORS CANT BE BABES GN VOL 02 (MR)    $12.99
JUL201244    WINGS OF LIGHT SC GN (RES) (MR)    $17.99
AUG201814    WITCH AND BEAST GN VOL 01 (MR)    $12.99
SEP201715    WORLD TRIGGER GN VOL 21    $9.99
JUL201594    WORLDS END HAREM FANTASIA GN VOL 03 (MR)    $13.99
AUG201499    X-VENTURE XPLORERS HC VOL 01 LION VS TIGER    $16.99
AUG201498    X-VENTURE XPLORERS SC VOL 01 LION VS TIGER    $12.99
AUG201125    ZORRO IN LAND THAT TIME FORGOT #1 CVR A MARTINEZ    $3.99
AUG201126    ZORRO IN LAND THAT TIME FORGOT #1 CVR B PUGLIA    $4.99
AUG201127    ZORRO IN LAND THAT TIME FORGOT #1 CVR C LTD ED RANALDI    $9.99

MAGAZINES

DEC191613    007 MAG SPECIAL DANIEL CRAIG JAMES BOND    $25.99
APR201765    007 MAGAZINE BOND GIRLS OMNIBUS (MR)    $25.99
AUG201694    BACK ISSUE #123    $9.95
JUN201409    BRICKJOURNAL #64    $9.95
JAN201973    CINEMA RETRO #47 (MR)    $11.99
AUG201278    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1732    $PI
AUG201468    COMICS REVUE PRESENTS OCTOBER 2020    $19.95
FEB201892    DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #550    $19.99
FEB201893    DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #551    $11.99
MAR202009    DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #552    $11.99
APR201978    DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #553    $11.99
JUN201245    DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #554    $11.99
FEB201937    EERIE TALES MAGAZINE #1    $11.99
AUG201425    HORRORHOUND #85    $6.99
JAN201630    ILLUSTRATORS MAGAZINE #29    $24.99
DEC191577    ILLUSTRATORS SPECIAL #7 PIRATES    $34.99
JAN201940    JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #418    $13.00
JUN201408    RETROFAN MAGAZINE #11    $9.95
SEP201339    RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #197 NOV DEC 2020    $9.95
DEC191856    SCREAM MAGAZINE #60 (MR)    $9.99
JAN201964    SCREAM MAGAZINE #61 (MR)    $9.99
FEB201936    WEIRD MYSTERIES MAGAZINE #1    $11.99

BOOKS

JUL201304    A QUICK & EASY GUIDE TO CONSENT TP (MR)    $7.99
SEP201459    BATMAN & MISSING PUNCHLINE YA SC    $6.95
SEP201708    BLEACH CANT FEAR YOUR OWN WORLD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 02    $17.99
AUG201436    DARK CRYSTAL BESTIARY HC    $29.99
JUN201161    DARK SHADOWS PAPERBACK LIBRARY NOVEL VOL 09 FOE OF BARNABAS    $14.99
JUN201162    DARK SHADOWS PAPERBACK LIBRARY NOVEL VOL 10 PHANTOM & BARNAB    $14.99
SEP201455    DC SUPER HEROES ORIGINS YR TP BATGIRL    $4.95
SEP201456    DC SUPER HEROES ORIGINS YR TP CYBORG    $4.95
SEP201457    DC SUPER HEROES ORIGINS YR TP ROBIN    $4.95
SEP201458    DC SUPER HEROES ORIGINS YR TP SUPERGIRL    $4.95
SEP201153    DC SUPER PETS YR TP CAVE OF KRYPTONITE    $6.95
SEP201154    DC SUPER PETS YR TP CRIME FIGHTING CAT    $6.95
SEP201155    DC SUPER PETS YR TP ICE CREAM CAPER    $6.95
SEP201156    DC SUPER PETS YR TP TROUBLE PARADISE ISLAND    $6.95
AUG201114    DIARY OF A WIMPY KID HC VOL 15    $14.99
JUL201268    DRACULA HC GN    $29.99
SEP201460    FLASH & STORM OF CENTURY YR SC    $6.95
JUL208781    HEROES FEAST OFF D&D COOKBOOK HC    $35.00
SEP201188    I AM C-3PO INSIDE STORY SC    $16.99
AUG201941    IS WRONG PICK UP GIRLS DUNGEON FAMILIA GN VOL 02 FREYA    $15.00
AUG201940    IVE BEEN KILLING SLIMES 300 YEARS NOVEL SC VOL 08    $14.00
AUG201946    KONOSUBA LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 12    $14.00
AUG201942    LEADEN BATTLEGROUNDS LEAVE NO TRACE NOVEL SC VOL 02    $15.00
AUG201605    MARVEL AGE OF COMICS 1961-1978 TASCHEN 40TH ANNIV HC    $25.00
AUG201599    NIER AUTOMATA YORHA BOYS SC    $14.99
SEP201157    SAVE THE DAY WONDER WOMAN HC    $17.99
AUG201951    SISTERS ALL YOU NEED LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 08    $15.00
AUG201947    STRIKE THE BLOOD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 16    $14.00
SEP201461    SUPERMAN & TOXIC TROUBLEMAKER YR SC    $6.95
AUG201943    THAT TIME I REINCARNATED SLIME LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 09    $15.00
SEP201462    WONDER WOMAN & CHEETAH CHALLENGE YR TP    $6.95
JUL201829    YES NO OR MAYBE LIGHT NOVEL    $14.99


DC Comics from Lunar/UCS Distributors for October 27, 2020

DC COMICS:

Absolute Swamp Thing By Alan Moore Volume 1 HC (New Edition), $99.99
Absolute Swamp Thing By Alan Moore Volume 2 HC, $99.99
Action Comics #1026 (Cover A John Romita Jr. & Klaus Janson), $3.99
Action Comics #1026 (Cover B Lucio Parrillo), AR
Batgirl #50 (Cover A Joshua Middleton), $5.99
Batgirl #50 (Cover B Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson), AR
Batman 80 Years Of The Bat Family TP, $29.99
Batman Beyond #48 (Cover A Dan Mora), $3.99
Batman Beyond #48 (Cover B Francis Manapul), AR
Batman Superman #13 (Cover A David Marquez), $3.99
Batman Superman #13 (Cover B Mark Brooks Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman The Man Who Laughs The Deluxe Edition HC, $29.99
Batman Three Jokers #3 (Of 3) Playing Cards, AR
Batman Three Jokers #3 (Of 3)(Cover A Jason Fabok), $6.99
Batman Three Jokers #3 (Of 3)(Cover B Jason Fabok Red Hood Variant), AR
Batman Three Jokers #3 (Of 3)(Cover C Jason Fabok Purple Variant), AR
Batman Three Jokers #3 (Of 3)(Cover D Jason Fabok Black & White Variant), AR
Batman Three Jokers #3 (Of 3)(Cover E Jason Fabok The Killing Joke Hawaiian Shirt And Camera Variant), AR
Batman Three Jokers #3 (Of 3)(Cover F Jason Fabok Stand-Up Comedian Variant), AR
Batman Three Jokers #3 (Of 3)(Cover G Jason Fabok Endgame Mohawk Variant), AR
Batman Three Jokers #3 (Of 3)(Cover H Contact Cover Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal Rise Of The New God #1 (Cover A Ian Bertram), $5.99
Dark Nights Death Metal Rise Of The New God #1 (Cover B Bosslogic Card Stock Variant), AR
DC Connect Checklist Poster #5, AR
DC Poster Portfolio DCeased TP, $24.99
Detective Comics #1029 (Cover A Kenneth Rocafort), $3.99
Detective Comics #1029 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant), AR
Flash #764 (Cover A Bernard Chang), $3.99
Flash #764 (Cover B In-Hyuk Lee), AR
House Of Whispers Volume 3 Watching The Watchers TP, $19.99
John Constantine Hellblazer #11, $3.99
Justice League Dark #27 (Cover A Yanick Paquette), $3.99
Justice League Dark #27 (Cover B Kael Ngu), AR
Last God Songs Of Lost Children #1, $4.99
Legion Of Super-Heroes #10 (Cover A Ryan Sook), $3.99
Legion Of Super-Heroes #10 (Cover B Darko Lafuente), AR
Red Hood Outlaw #50 (Cover A Dexter Soy), $5.99
Red Hood Outlaw #50 (Cover B Philip Tan), AR
Shazam The Deluxe Edition HC, $34.99
Suicide Squad #10 (Cover A Bruno Redondo), $3.99
Suicide Squad #10 (Cover B Travis Moore), AR
Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Who Killed Jimmy Olsen? TP, $29.99
Wonder Woman #765 (Cover A David Marquez), $4.99
Wonder Woman #765 (Cover B Joshua Middleton Card Stock Variant), AR


Sunday, October 25, 2020

#IReadsYou Movie Review: "TEEN TITANS: The Judas Contract"

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract – video (2017)

[Please visit the "Comic Book Movies Review" page.]

Running time:  84 minutes
MPAA – PG-13 for language, some violence, sensuality, thematic elements and brief drug use
DIRECTOR:  Sam Liu
WRITERS:  Ernie Altbacker (based on the comic book story by Marv Wolfman and George Perez and on the DC Comics characters)
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinsk
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann
ANIMATION STUDIO:  The Answerstudios

Starring:  (voices) Sean Maher, Kari Wahlgren, Stuart Allan, Taissa Farmiga, Brandon Soo Hoo, Jake T. Austin, Christina Ricci, Miguel Ferrer, Gregg Henry, Meg Foster, Masasa Moyo, Jason Spisak, Crispin Freeman, and Kevin Smith

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is a 2017 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation.  The films stars the DC Comics superhero team, the Teen Titans.  The film's story is based on “The Judas Contract,” the 1983-84 story arc that was published in The New Teen Titans #39 to #44 and in The New Teen Titans Annual 3, which were created by the writer-artist team of Marv Wolfman and George Perez.  Teen Titans: The Judas Contract the movie focuses on the Teen Titans and their battle against an insane cult leader and his conspiracy against them.

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract opens with the original Teen TitansRobin/Dick Grayson (Sean Maher), Speedy (Crispin Freeman), Kid Flash (Jason Spisak), Beast Boy (Brandon Soo Hoo), and Bumblebee (Masasa Moyo).  During a mission, the Titans rescue an alien princess, Koriand'r of Tamaran (Kari Wahlgren), also known as “Starfire,” from her captors.

Five years later, Dick Grayson, now known as “Nightwing,” rejoins the Teen Titans, who are led by Starfire.  In addition to original member, Beast Boy, the team is now comprised of Raven (Taissa Farmiga), Terra (Christina Ricci), Blue Beetle (Jake T. Austin), and the current Robin, Damien Wayne (Stuart Allan).  The Titans have been battling a high-tech terrorist organization called “H.I.V.E.” and are trying to find its leader, “Brother Blood” (Gregg Henry), the head of a terrorist cult.

Brother Blood has grown tired of the Titans interfering in his plans, but he desires to possess their powers.  Blood hires the mercenary/assassin, Deathstroke (Miguel Ferrer), to capture the Titans, and to that end, Deathstroke has a spy inside the Titans.

For most of the 1980s, The New Teen Titans was one of DC Comics' most popular comic book titles, and for awhile, it was the publisher's most important and popular title.  “The Judas Contract” was The New Teen Titans' signature story line.  Teen Titans: The Judas Contract the movie is true to the spirit of the original story, both in depicting how close a team of disparate individuals can become and in depicting the sting of betrayal committed by one member against the rest of the team.

I really enjoyed this movie, and I am surprised that I liked all the characters and all the voice actors' performances.  Christina Ricci does stand out and conveys the pathos and conflict within Terra Markov, while Brandon Soo Hoo gives comedic depth and dramatic weight to Beast Boy.  I will note, however, that film director, Kevin Smith, appears as a cartoon version of himself, and Teen Titans: The Judas Contract could have done without him.

Fans of the direct-to-video, DC Comics animated films will find that Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is a high point in this long-running series.  Teen Titans fans will also find that, although the film changes the original story quite a bit, this version of The Judas Contract maintains the core of the comic book original, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract.

8 of 10
A

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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