Thursday, December 31, 2020

#IReadsYou Movie Review: WONDER WOMAN

Wonder Woman (2017)

Running time:  141 minutes
MPAA – PG - 13 for sequences of violence and action, and some suggestive content
DIRECTOR:  Patty Jenkins
WRITERS:  Allan Heinberg; from a story by Zack Snyder, Allan Heinberg, and Jason Fuchs (based on characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and created by William Moulton Marston)
PRODUCERS:  Charles Roven, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, and Richard Suckle
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Matthew Jensen
EDITOR:  Martin Walsh
COMPOSER:  Rupert Gregson-Williams

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/WAR/HISTORICAL

Starring:  Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Said Taghmaoui, Ewen Bremner, Eugene Brave Rock, Lucy Davis, Elena Anaya, Lilly Aspell, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Ann Wolfe, Ann Ogbomo, Emily Carey, and James Cosmo

Wonder Woman is a 2017 superhero fantasy, war, and and historical film from director Patty Jenkins.  The film stars the DC Comics superhero, Wonder Woman, who first appeared in All Star Comics #8 (1941) and was created by writer William Moulton Marston (with artist Harry George Peter).  The movie takes place when Wonder Woman was only known as Diana, princess of the Amazons, a young, trained warrior who goes out into the world to discover her full powers and her true destiny.  Wonder Woman is also the fourth film in the DC (Comics) Extended Universe film series.

Wonder Woman opens in present-day Paris, in the Louvre, where Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) works as an archivist of some type.   Bruce Wayne has sent her a gift, a World War I-era photographic plate that contains an image of Diana and three men.

This image returns Diana's memories to her past, beginning when she was a child (Lily Aspell) on the hidden island of Themyscira, home to the Amazon race of warrior women.  Diana is the daughter of the queen, Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), who does not want her daughter trained to be a warrior.  Hippolyta's sister and Diana's aunt, General Antiope (Robin Wright), believes that Diana should be prepared for the eventual day when she will have to fight.

As a young woman, Diana rescues an American pilot and spy, Captain Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), after his plane crashes off the coast of Themyscira.  The Germans pursing Trevor invade Themyscira, but are repelled by the Amazons.  Diana interprets these events as signs that she must accompany Trevor as he returns to the world of men, where Diana believes she must confront the reason for the world war that rages across Europe (World War I).  Diana believes that Ares, the god of war, is behind the so-called “War to End All Wars,” but Diana does not realize that this journey will reveal the truth about her powers, her destiny, and her identity.

Since its release to theaters in the United States (almost a month ago as of this writing) and around the world (over a month as of this writing), Wonder Woman has received rave reviews.  Women and children, especially girls, have embraced the power of this beloved female superhero who finally stars in her own feature film.

I get it; I understand the appeal and the adoration, but for me, Wonder Woman the movie is, at best, a slightly above-average superhero movie.  Gal Gadot is wonderful as Wonder Woman, which surprised me because I thought she was all wrong when I first heard about her casting.  However, here, Gadot is so good that I had trouble imagining another actress (except maybe Linda Carter) as Wonder Woman.  Gadot embodies the strength and independence of a woman raised in a society in which women do not think of themselves as subordinate or inferior to men.

In the character drama, in the film's quiet moments, in the times when Diana fights for the forgotten and ignored (the “little” people?), director Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot deliver on what Wonder Woman has meant, what she means today, and what she can mean in the future.  Jenkins and Gadot depict the ability of women to pursue the best of themselves and to pursue the best for humanity at large – with their endeavors as equal or even superior to those of men.  To nurture and to create; to defend and to take the initiative:  Wonder Woman/Diana and women can do anything men can do.

The problems with Wonder Woman the film are the men who contribute to this film.  Co-producer and co-writer Zack Snyder's handiwork is all over the cheesy, slow-motion camera fight scenes.  The fact that the last act devolves into a ridiculous supernatural battle between Diana and Ares is typical of the previous Warner/DC Comics films.  Those movies reeked with the ludicrous fights that were the climaxes of Snyder's The Man of Steel and Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, as well as last year's Suicide Squad, which is also part of the DC Extended Universe.

Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot deliver some superb movie making with Wonder Woman.  Unfortunately, the perspective of males, one of whom is a hack filmmaker, ruins it.

6 of 10
B

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


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



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I Reads You Juniors: December 2020 - Update #108

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MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Spider-Man gets a new costume for 2021, and it debuts in "The Amazing Spider-Man #63."

MANGA TO FILM - From AlJazeera:   "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Mugen Train," the film based on the manga, is now Japan's top-grossing film of all-time.

DC CINEMA - From IndieWire:   DC Films president, Walter Hamada, says that going forward, there will be six films per year based on DC Comics characters, with the releases of those films split between movie theaters and HBO Max.  The big surprise may be the reveal that there will be "two different film sagas involving Batman — played by two different actors — running at the same time."

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Kieron Gillen is talking about Eternals #1, which Marvel would have us believe will see the light of day (finally) the first week of 3021 ... I mean 2021.

COLORING BOOKS - From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press announces a Vice-President Kamala Harris-themed coloring book.

MATT BAKER - From BleedingCool:  This article about the vintage hero, "Phantom Lady," has some information about the first known African-American comic book artist, Matt Baker.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  Because of the success of "Wonder Woman 1984" ($16.7 million debut at the box office), Warner Bros. is fast-tracking "Wonder Woman 3" for development.

DC CINEMA - From IndieWire:   Pedro Pascal is impressing viewers with his performance as "Maxwell Lord" in "Wonder Woman 1984."  He was played an LAPD detective in TV super-producer Davie E. Kelley's 2011 "Wonder Woman" pilot for NBC.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  What was Wonder Woman really doing back in 1984 ... in the comic books.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  In August 2021, Marvel Comics will publish the "Marvel August 1961 Omnibus" which will collect every title published by Marvel Comics in August 1961.  That includes "The Fantastic Four #1.

CELEBRITY - From BleedingCool:  According to the site's owner, Rich Johnston, Warren Ellis is returning "to some form of digital media outlet" in 2021.  Over this past summer, a series of abuse allegations caused Ellis to withdraw from his social media accounts.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Here is an early look at art from writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Marquez's "Justice League," which is scheduled to begin March 16, 2021.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Talking about the mid-credit scene in "Wonder Woman 1984." Warning: link leads to spoilers.

DC CINEMA - From YahooNews:  Former "The Price is Right" model, Gwendolyn Osborne, will show off her acting and stunt skills as an "Amazon" in "Wonder Woman 1984."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:   In March 2021, "Firefly" is returning, in a new comic book series with new characters with a long legacy. "Firefly: A Brand New Verse" is set twenty years after the original series and movie, with the daughter of Zo and Wash as the new captain of the Serenity, a new crew to captain. Firefly: A Brand New Verse will be created by Josh Lee Gordon and Fabiana Mascolo.

DC TV - From IGN:  Two classic animated Batman TV series are coming to HBO Max.  Starting Jan. 1st, 2021, fans can stream "Batman: The Animated Series" (1992-1995) and "Batman Beyond" (1999-2001) to their heart's delight.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Ablaze Publishing to publish Maria Llovet's "Eros/Psyche."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The notorious Richard Meyer vs. Mark Waid comic book lawsuit has been voluntarily dismissed by Meyer.

COMICS - From THR:   The site has a preview of Tyler Boss' upcoming comic book miniseries, "Dead Dog's Bite."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will publish a line of variant covers featuring two-tone colors and classic interpretations of its characters.  Michael Cho will be the artist.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel will follow its "The Rise of Ultraman" miniseries with a second one, "The Trial of Ultraman," which begins March 2021.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Here is a six-page preview of "Superman #28," the final issue written by Brian Michael Bendis.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Justice League" director Zack Snyder wants to write a comic book in which the Joker would kill Robin.  He wants Jim Lee to draw it.

DC CINEMA - From Insider:   "Wonder Woman 1984" director Patty Jenkins says that she was paid seven times less than male directors to direct the original film.  Even after getting a record setting raise for the sequel, she is still behind a male counterparts.

MANGA - From ComicBook:   "Boruto" manga reveals the "key visual art"for its "Vessel" story arc.

DC COMICS - From IGN:   Yoshitake Amano, the artist by "Final Fantasy," has produced a variant cover for "Harley Quinn #1," which is due March 23, 2020.

DC COMICS-MANGA - From ComicYears:   The studios behind the "Attack on Titan" manga is producing a "Joker" manga for DC Comics.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Here is a preview of this week's "X-Men #17."

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   James Tynion IV talks about Batman for February 2021 and beyond.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:   "Wonder Woman 1984" leads the overseas box office with an estimated take of 38.5 million dollars.

MARVEL - From FlickeringMyth:   Here is a preview of Marvel's upcoming "King-Size Conan #1."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:   Here, is a first look at Ron Garney's art for Keanu Reeves' upcoming comic book, "BRZRKR."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Hot cover artist, Peach Momoko, will writer and draw a five-part X-Men comic book series, entitled "Demon Days: X-Men."

DC CINEMA - From LATimes:   "Wonder Woman" start Gal Gadot hopes that the new film, "Wonder Woman 1984," will end this rough year on a high note.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   Hot Marvel Comics character, America Chavez, will get a new ongoing series beginning March 2021.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   Nightwing returns with a new comic book series in March 2021.  Batgirl will be his partner when he returns to the city of Bludhaven.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Wonder Woman's debut, DC Comics has announced an all-new digital-first series, "Sensational Wonder Woman."  The first issue will be available January 6, 2021 on participating digital platforms.  The print debut is March 2, 2021.

COMICS - From SmashPages:   The Joker is getting his own ongoing monthly comic book via writer James Tynion IV and artist Guillem March.

COMICS - From SmashPages: Archie Comics has announced that "Deadpool" and "Youngblood" creator, Rob Liefeld, will produce a new version of its superhero team, "The Mighty Crusaders."  The four-issue miniseries will also "re-imagine" characters like "The Shield" and "The Comet."

DC COMICS - From THR:   DC Comics has announced a new anthology comic book series, "Batman: Urban Legends," which will debut sometime after the "Future State" event.

DC CINEMA - From THR: Actress Quintessa Swindell will play the character "Cyclone" in the Warner Bros.' DC Comics film, "Black Adam," which stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

DC CINEMA - From EW:  Zack Snyder is hoping to bring his four-hour director's cut of "Justice League" to theaters.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Hot gossip is that Random House will be publishing original DC Comics graphic novels.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  What if Edgar Rice Burroughs' "John Carter" was black?  Scott Fogg talks about his new project ("Prince of the Silent Planet") and his parents.

MANHUA - From CBR:  A Chinese boys' love (BL) comics, "Mo Dao Zu Shi," is hot on Tumblr.

MARVEL - From CommericalAppeal: The "Commercial Appeal" newspaper of Memphis, TN celebrates the fact that four authors born in Memphis or are Memphis-based have a story in a "Black Panther" short story anthology, "Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda."

MANGA - From HypeBeast:   The hit manga, "Chainsaw Man," is set to be adapted into an anime by MAPPA, the studio behind the "Attack on Titan" manga.

DISNEY - From BleedingCool:   David Levithan and Nick Bertozzi are adapting the Broadway musical, "Be More Chill," into a graphic novel that will be published by Disney-Hyperion.

NEWSPAPER COMICS - From YahooEntertainment:   Jean Schulz, the widow of Charles Schulz, the creator of the classic newspaper comic strip, "Peanuts," addresses the recent controversy concerning the depiction of African-American Peanuts character, "Franklin," in the animated holiday TV special, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving."

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Marvel:  Here is a link to all of the Marvel Studios news coming out of The Walt Disney Company’s 2020 Investor Day Presentation

DISNEY+ - From BlackFilm:  Disney+ Teams Up With Kugali To Create Pan-African Comic Book Series “Iwájú”

EISNERS - From BleedingCool:  The "Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards" have named the six judges for the 2021 edition of the awards.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   DC Comics has confirmed the "Tim Fox," brother of Luke Fox (Batwing) and son of Lucius Fox," is the new Batman.

IN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Richard Corben, a comic book artist who worked in everything from underground comics and "Heavy Metal" to small press and Marvel and DC Comics, has died at the age of 80, Thursday, December 2, 2020.

DC CINEMA - From YahooEntertainment: Patty Jenkins On ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Move To HBO Max And Theatrical: “There Was No Good Option”

UK COMICS - From 2000AD: Rebellion has announced the full schedule of Treasury of British Comics graphic novel titles for 2021. The Treasury of British Comics is bringing classics from the world’s largest archive of English language comic books back into print.

MARVEL/MANGA - From ComicWatch:   Marvel is teaming up with Shonen Jump to release a brand new manga series centered around the one and only Merc with a Mouth. The new series will be titled DEADPOOL: SAMURAI and it will be written by Sanshira Kasama with art by Hikaru Uesugi. You will be able to find the manga series on the Shonen Jump+ app on December 10th!

MANGA - From UnreservedCulture:  Japanese tennis star, Naomi Osaka, will star in her own manga.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  DC Comics announces new "Green Lantern" and "Justice League Dark" titles and also "Teen Titans Academy."

DC TV - From MurphysMultiverse:   Here is a first look at Tyler Hoechlin's "Superman" suit in The CW's "Superman and Lois."

MARVEL - From Newsarama:   Marvel releases a trailer for its upcoming miniseries, "Maestro: War and Pax."

COMICS - From Newsarama:   Freddie Williams II, a longtime exclusive comic book artist at DC Comics, is joining writer Tim Seeley at AfterShock Comics for the creator-owned title, "The Bequest."

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:   DC Comics announces a new "Harley Quinn" ongoing series by writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Riley Rossmo launches on March 24th. Gene Luen Yang and Ivan Reis take over the Batman/Superman ongoing series with issue #16, also on March 24th. 

MARVEL/MANGA - From BleedingCool:   The manga, "Deadpool: Samurai," the new Deadpool manga launching in Japan in collaboration with Shonen JUMP, will reportedly fit into Marvel Comics' continuity.

 MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will release its first "Alien" comic book in March 2021.  "Alien #1" by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Salvador Larroca will be based on the original 1979 film, "Alien."

MARVEL TO FILM - From MensHealth:   8 Marvel Comics movies you will never see.

SONY MARVEL U - From WeGotThisCovered:   Rumors suggest that Sony Pictures wants a big "Avengers: Endgame" type finale for Tobey Maguire, the first cinematic Peter Parker/Spider-Man, in an upcoming Spider-Man film.

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS - From PW:   Publishers Weekly talks to cartoonist Peter Bagge about "The Complete Hate," the three-volume, box set collection of his seminal alternative comic book, "Hate."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Also arriving in March 2021 is a new "Suicide Squad" comic book, entitled "The Suicide Squad," and it will be Harley Quinn free.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  One of the first series launching in March 2021 after "Future State" is a new "Swamp Thing" series from writer Ram V and artist Mike Perkins.

DC TV - From THR:   Ava DuVernay is teaming up with Jill Blankenship ("Arrow") to develop a TV series based on the DC Comics title, "Naomi," for The CW.

MARVEL - From TribLive:  The nurses of "Allegheny Health Network" in Pittsburgh, PA are featured in the new Marvel Comics' title, "The Vitals: True Nurse Stories."

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   At the CCXP World event in Brazil, DC Comics reveals that the "Future State" character, "Red X," will be a character from animation that is making the jump to comics.  Fan favorite, Harley Quinn, was originally a character in "Batman: The Animated Series."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   The site has provided an eight-page preview of the new "Batman: Black & White #1," which is due in comic book stores, Tuesday, Dec. 8th or Wednesday, Dec. 9th, 2020.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   Writer John Ridley talks about his hot new DC Comics' miniseries, "The Other History of the DC Universe."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Rob Liefeld apparently has stated that he is returning to Marvel Comics to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first appearance of the character, Deadpool.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Despite recent layoffs, DC Comics is looking to fill three senior level positions.

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS - From TCJ:   Publisher Gary Groth talks to Katie Skelly about creating her graphic novel, "Maids."

FANTAGRAPHICS - From OprahMag:  Two Fantagraphics Books' publications, "Red Rock Baby Candy" and "Stone Fruit," make "Oprah Magazine's" list, "LGBTQ Books That Will Change the Literary Landscape in 2021"

DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  The 500 most ordered comics and graphic novels for October 2020 via Diamond Comic Distributors.

UK COMICS - From DreddEpicsRanked:  A new blog, "Judge Dredd Epics: Ranked" will rank "Judge Dredd" story arcs.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From CBR:  Is this video of actress Hailee Steinfeld as "Kate Bishop" film for the Disney+ series, "Hawkeye?"

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   DC Comics moves "Wonder Woman 1984" variant covers to January 2021.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:  Why a throwaway 2013 "Star Wars" OGN is now a eBay bidding jewel.

IMAGE COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Image Comics and Top Cow Productions are launching a new "Witchblade" series in 2021 with writer Marguerite Bennett and Ariel Kristantina.  The original wielder of the Witchblade, Sara Pezzini.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Legendary "Wolverine" writer Chris Claremont will join artist Steve McNiven to produce an exclusive "Wolverine" comic book.  How can you get it...

DIGITAL COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Here is a list of all the comics and manga coming to "comiXology Unlimited" (comiXology's flat-rate service) in December 2020.

 GRAPHIC NOVELS - From PublishersWeekly:  Simon & Shuster has announced two new graphic novel lines, "Little Simon Graphic Novels" and "Ready-to-Read Graphics," which will be focused on readers in ages 5 to 9.  "Ready-to-Read" will teach kids to read graphic novels.

CONVENTIONS - From PublishersWeekly:  ReedPop has announced that it is "retiring" two of its book publishing trade shows, "BookExpo" and "BookCon."  BookExpo is the largest book publishing trade show in the United States.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "I got screwed" is what Alex Ross is saying about DC Comics.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Tom King said that Batman and Catwoman will have sexual relations in the debut of their upcoming comic book, "Batman/Catwoman #1."

DC CINEMA - From ArsTechnica:   "Justice League: The Snyder Cut" black and white trailer - released Nov. 17th, 2020.

DC TV - From HBOMax:   See HBO Max's "Titans" Season 1-Episode 1 ("Titans," 2018) for free - for the time being.

From HBOMax:  See HBO Max's animated "Harley Quinn" Season1-Episode 1 ("Till Death Do Us Part," 2019) for free - for the time being.

DC FUTURE STATE

From BleedingCool:  DC "Future State" has a video teaser trailer.

From DCComics:  Here is the "Future State" page.

From DCBlog:  DC Future State Takes You Beyond Tomorrow

From GamesRadar:  What is DC saying about the post "Future State" Batman title?

From GamesRadar:  DC Future State "Flash" will be part of a gender-swapped "Teen Titans."

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

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

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

From GamesRadar:   DC Future State Batman January 2021 solicitations

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

From GamesRadar:  "DC Future State" details.

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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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:  Ablaze for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Artists, Writers & Artisans for February 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2021
From TheBeat: DC Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for February 2021 
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "King in Black" for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2021
From 2000AD:   Rebellion Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for February 2021
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for February 2021
From BleedingCool:   Zenescope Entertainment for February 2021
 
MARCH 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2021 
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for March 2021 
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2021 
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  March Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Second Sight for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2021
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2021


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Wednesday, December 30, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: DARTH VADER ANNUAL #1

DARTH VADER ANNUAL No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon. Visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

STORY: Kieron Gillen
PENCILS: Leinil Yu
INKS: Gerry Alanguilan
COLORS: Jason Keith
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Leinil Yu
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2016)

Rated T

Annual


Marvel Comics recently released the first two “Annual” editions of its flagship Star Wars comic book titles, Star Wars and Darth Vader.  Although Marvel published three Star Wars Annuals for its original Star Wars series (1977 to 1986), this is the first Darth Vader Annual, and it is written by Kieron Gillen, who writes the ongoing Darth Vader series.  This inaugural annual features arts by Leinil Yu (pencils) and Gerry Alanguilan (inks); colors by Jason Keith; and letters by Joe Caramagna.

Darth Vader Annual #1 finds Darth Vader traveling to the planet, Shu-torun.  It is a Mid-Rim world known for producing valuable ore needed by the Empire for its ceaseless building projects.  The planet is ruled by the King who must also manage the dukes (“Ore-Dukes”), each one ruling over a domain that mines the precious ore so important to the Empire.

Of late, Shu-torun has failed to meet the delivery quotas set by the Emperor, so he has sent Lord Vader to reinforce the cooperation of the King and the Ore-Dukes.  There is, however, some game afoot.  The King has sent his third child, his daughter Trios, to meet Lord Vader, and perhaps to stall him.  Rebellion is reportedly brewing on Shu-torun, but against whom?  Plus, the malevolent droid duo, 0-0-0 (Triple Zero) and BT-1 (BeeTee One), have fun on their own.

I flipped through Darth Vader Annual #1 about two weeks before I got around to reading it.  Honestly, I put off reading it because it did not look appealing.  I was wrong – so wrong.  Writer Kieron Gillen offers a simple, straight-forward story, but it depicts Vader as the fearsome, bad-ass villain Star Wars fans want him to be.  That's all; this story is just Vader being Vader.

Gillen and Jason Aaron (who writes Star Wars) are proving to be the among the best Star Wars comic book writers ever, and at the rate they are going, I will likely think of them as the best if they can give us a few years of the same high quality at which they are already performing.  Gillen adds to the Star Wars universe, offering another world and another society, without altering anything.  It is nothing groundbreaking, but it enriches the ground that has already been broken.

Leinil Yu and Gerry Alanguilan's art stylistically resembles the work of P. Craig Russell, but the storytelling recalls Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon, which I am sure is one of the works that influenced George Lucas' creation of Star Wars.  This touch of Flash Gordon makes Darth Vader Annual #1 seem like classic space opera, with a touch of interplanetary romantic courtly intrigue.

This is the perfect one-off story for a comic book “Annual” special.  Here's to many more.

A-

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


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


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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, December 29, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: NOW #8

NOW: THE NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY #8
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONISTS: Theo Ellsworth; Sami Alwani; E.S. Glenn; Veronika Muchitsch; Henry McCausland; Zuzu; Noah Van Sciver; Walt Holcombe; Maggie Umber; Tara Booth
DESIGN: Jacob Covey
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Al Columbia
BACKCOVER: Nick Thorburn
ISBN: 978-1-68396-276-2; paperback (March 2020)
128pp, Color, $12.99 U.S.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology is an alternative-comics anthology series launched in 2017 and edited by Eric ReynoldsNOW is published by alt-comix and art comics publisher, Fantagraphics Books.  Over its four-plus decades of existence, Fantagraphics has published what is probably the most diverse collection of comic book anthologies in the history of North American comic books.  That line-up includes such titles as Anything Goes, Critters, Mome, Pictopia, and Zero Zero, to name a few.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology #8 is a recent strong entry in this anthology series.  I wish that everyone could read the introduction to NOW #1, written by Eric Reynolds, even those who have not read that debut issue.  In the intro, Reynolds states that he wants to showcase “...as broad a range of quality comic art as possible...”

Does NOW #8 do that?  Let's take a look at each of NOW #8's cartoonists' contributions:

THE LOWDOWN:  The illustration that acts as NOW #8's cover art is entitled “Isle of Enchantment,” and it is produced by Al Columbia.  It is a beautiful piece – mixing the elements of nature illustration and vintage cartoons.  It is a striking and arresting image, and I can't stop looking at it.

“Psychic Bug Spy” by Theo Ellsworth:
I like the art for this one-page story that opens NOW #8, and speaking of story, “Psychic Bug Spy” does nothing for me.

“The Misfortunes of Virtue” by Sami Alwani:
I totally and completely love this story because it is a sheer delight to read.  So the story follows an alternative cartoonist and art comics creator, “Saehmeh the Dog.” Yes, Saehmeh Aehlawahni is an anthropomorphic dog, and he is also something like a lovable blend of snob and crank.  For years, he struggles as a cartoonist, mainly because most art comics publishers won't take the work of a dog seriously – no matter much they like that dog's work.

Ultimately, this 16-page story plays out, as a theme, this quote that opens the story, “When you desire control, you let desire control you.”  Sami Alwani's drawing style, a kind of pliable and elastic line work, is perfect for this story's shifting landscape of surrealism and Saehmeh's self-absorbed and internal way of living with himself and with others.  “The Misfortunes of Virtue” is the kind of comics short story that will one day be used to justify whatever time NOW exists as an ongoing publication.

“The Gigs” by E.S. Glenn:
This surreal story follows several characters that are criminal types.  Three of them can be described as an artist and a hit man:  Junior, the struggling painter-hit man; Butterfly, the recently paroled blues singer-songwriter-hit man; and Philip T. Crow, a self-published poet-hit man.

The Gigs'” graphical storytelling and graphic design are like a modern take on the revered cartoonist Winsor McCay's old-timey Little Nemo work.  The beautiful clear-line art and the gorgeous rich colors are mesmerizing.  My mind's eye savored the experience of reading this story.

“I, Keira” by Veronika Muchitsch:
Keira lives in an Ikea-like “home goods” store (Store No. 87) as a living mannequin.  The story is a procession of lighting, geometric shapes, colors, and patterns into which Keira becomes another object.  I am more intrigued by the graphics and graphical storytelling than I am by Keira … but I actually want more of this.

“Garden Boys” by Henry McCausland:
Two boys go on a treasure hunt and adventure through urban back lots and vacant properties – all of which seem to have a pastoral theme.  “Garden Boys” is like a young adult graphic novel distilled into 12 beautifully drawn pages.  I want more of this.

“Red” by Zuzu:
I know I've seen Zuzu's art somewhere before, or I saw something that looked like it.  “Red” is a slice-of-life of a larger story, but what is here – an except of friendship – is sweet.

“Saint Cole” by Noah Van Sciver:
I'm calling this an autobiographical comic, although I am not sure that anyone uses that term anymore.  Van Sciver recounts a book store signing in Paris that he did to promote his new graphic novel.  However, one of his best known works, the graphic novel, Saint Cole (Fantagraphics Books, 2015), hangs over the story.  This story offers flashbacks concerning the road Van Sciver took to Saint Cole, which included stints as a sandwich shop manager and hawking his minicomics from one comic book shop to another.

I'm prejudiced, but I love “Saint Cole” the short story, and I guess it's time for me to read the actual graphic novel.  A portrait of the artist as an always striving man … this story is poignant and absorbing because Van Sciver makes cartoon Noah so damn likable.

“Cheminant Avec Emily” by Walt Holcombe:
In English, the title is “Walking with Emily.”  This is another autobiographical tale in which Holcombe recounts his deep friendship with a young woman, Emily, whom he meets at San Diego Comic-Con in the late 1990s.  Their relationship gets a soundtrack when Emily introduces Holcombe to the music of the real-life French-Canadian duo, singer-songwriters and sisters, Kate and Anna McGarrigle.

Beautifully drawn, poignant, and bittersweet, “Cheminant Avec Emily” testifies that it is the bittersweet in life that acts like salt on the fruit of love and friendship – accentuating the sweetness.  This story reveals the art of the comics short story and exemplifies the comics short story as art.  I feel like a traitor making Noah Van Sciver's “Saint Cole” the second best story in NOW #8, but Holcombe's story steamrolls through this comic book like the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James charging into the lane on the way to a power-dunk.

“The Intoxicated” by Maggie Umber:
I think this story is supposed to evoke emotions in the reader.  That it scares me must say something about me.  I like the art which looks as if it were drawn in charcoal.

“Binge Eating” by Tara Booth:
Yeah, if you have issues with eating too much, you will get this in-your-face gem.

“Now” by Nick Thorburn:
This back cover comic strip about the playful evolution of a father-son relationship is an excellent bit of macabre comedy expertly executed in three panels.

So, the final verdict on NOW #8 is that there is a lot of interesting drawing and illustrating going on in here.  Some are simply examples of beautiful illustrating, while others are visually striking.  Others are odd and unique, while others are not so much about being pretty, as they are simply powerful.

Of NOW#1, I said that if the volumes that followed were half as good as the debut was, then, NOW would be a must-read series for serious comic book readers.  NOW #8 is more than half-as-good, much more.  So get NOW … now.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic alternative-comics anthologies will want to discover NOW: The New Comics Anthology.

8.5 out of 10

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


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

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Monday, December 28, 2020

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for December 30, 2020

BOOM! STUDIOS

AUG201005    FIREFLY UNIFICATION WAR TP VOL 01    $14.99
AUG201029    STEVEN UNIVERSE ONGOING TP VOL 09    $14.99


Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 30, 2020

DARK HORSE COMICS

AUG200431    ALEISTER & ADOLF TP (MR)    $19.99
NOV200189    AVATAR NEXT SHADOW #1    $3.99
OCT200296    COLONEL WEIRD COSMAGOG #3 (OF 4) CVR A CROOK    $3.99
OCT200297    COLONEL WEIRD COSMAGOG #3 (OF 4) CVR B SPICER    $3.99
JUL200318    HELLBOY HOLIDAY ORNAMENT    $29.99
MAR200394    LAST OF US PART 2 ELLIE WITH BOW DLX FIGURE    $49.99
NOV200195    NEIL GAIMAN NORSE MYTHOLOGY #4 CVR A RUSSELL    $3.99
NOV200196    NEIL GAIMAN NORSE MYTHOLOGY #4 CVR B MACK    $3.99
NOV200211    OVERWATCH TRACER LONDON CALLING #2 CVR A BENGAL    $3.99
NOV200212    OVERWATCH TRACER LONDON CALLING #2 CVR B GGDG    $3.99
NOV200226    RESIDENT ALIEN YOUR RIDES HERE #3    $3.99
NOV200219    STRANGER THINGS D&D CROSSOVER #3 CVR A GIST    $3.99
NOV200220    STRANGER THINGS D&D CROSSOVER #3 CVR B DITTMANN    $3.99
NOV200221    STRANGER THINGS D&D CROSSOVER #3 CVR C INFANTE    $3.99
NOV200222    STRANGER THINGS D&D CROSSOVER #3 VAR CVR D BECK    $3.99
NOV200207    TRUE LIVES FABULOUS KILLJOYS NATIONAL ANTHEM #4 CVR A ROMERO    $3.99
NOV200208    TRUE LIVES FABULOUS KILLJOYS NATIONAL ANTHEM #4 CVR B CLOONA    $3.99
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JUN200286    UMBRELLA ACADEMY (NETFLIX) LUNCHBOX REPLICA    $19.99
OCT200289    WITCHER FADING MEMORIES #2 (OF 4) CVR A CAGLE    $3.99
OCT200290    WITCHER FADING MEMORIES #2 (OF 4) CVR B WILSON    $3.99


Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for December 30, 2020

DYNAMITE

OCT200847    BOYS DEAR BECKY #8 (MR)    $3.99
OCT209153    BOYS DEAR BECKY #8 ROBERTSON LINE ART PREMIUM FOC BONUS (MR)    $3.99
OCT209154    BOYS DEAR BECKY #8 ROBERTSON VIRGIN ART PREMIUM FOC BONUS (M    $3.99
AUG200890    DEJAH THORIS (2019) #9 GEORGIEV LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
AUG200892    DEJAH THORIS (2019) #9 LAU LTD HOMAGE VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
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MAR201310    LINSNER DAWN CARDS INDIVIDUAL FOIL PACK    $PI
MAR201311    LINSNER DAWN TRADING CARDS BOX (12 PACKS)    $PI
OCT200784    RED SONJA PRICE OF BLOOD #1 GEOVANI LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
OCT200782    RED SONJA PRICE OF BLOOD #1 GOLDEN LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
OCT200786    RED SONJA PRICE OF BLOOD #1 LINSNER CRIMSON RED LINE ART CVR    $100.00
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OCT208011    VAMPIRELLA #16 CASTRO B FOC BONUS VAR    $3.99
SEP200761    VAMPIRELLA #16 CVR A PARRILLO    $3.99
SEP200762    VAMPIRELLA #16 CVR B MOMOKO    $3.99
SEP200763    VAMPIRELLA #16 CVR C DALTON    $3.99
SEP200764    VAMPIRELLA #16 CVR D GUNDUZ    $3.99
SEP200765    VAMPIRELLA #16 CVR E OPHELIA COSPLAY    $3.99
OCT200758    VAMPIRELLA DARK POWERS #1 LEE CRIMSON RED LINE ART CVR    $100.00
OCT200759    VAMPIRELLA DARK POWERS #1 LEE CRIMSON RED LINE ART VIRGIN CV    $300.00
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OCT200752    VAMPIRELLA DARK POWERS #1 LINSNER LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
OCT200756    VAMPIRELLA DARK POWERS #1 MOMOKO CRIMSON RED LINE ART CVR    $100.00
OCT200757    VAMPIRELLA DARK POWERS #1 MOMOKO CRIMSON RED LINE ART VIRGIN    $300.00
OCT200751    VAMPIRELLA DARK POWERS #1 MOMOKO LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
OCT200753    VAMPIRELLA DARK POWERS #1 YOON LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
AUG200918    VAMPIRELLA RED SONJA #12 ACOSTA LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
AUG200917    VAMPIRELLA RED SONJA #12 LEE LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
AUG200919    VAMPIRELLA RED SONJA #12 ROBSON LTD VIRGIN HOMAGE CVR    $50.00


IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for December 30, 2020

IDW PUBLISHING

JUL200538    AIRPLANE SMITHSONIAN COLORING BOOK    $16.99
OCT200448    CANTO II HOLLOW MEN #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP200523    DUNGEONS & DRAGONS AT SPINE OF WORLD #2 (OF 4) CVR A COCCOLO    $3.99
SEP200524    DUNGEONS & DRAGONS AT SPINE OF WORLD #2 (OF 4) CVR B CHARACT    $3.99
OCT190727    MARVEL ACTION AVENGERS #12 FIORITO    $3.99
SEP200486    MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #92 CVR A PRICE    $3.99
SEP200487    MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #92 CVR B HICKEY    $3.99
OCT190780    ROM DIRE WRAITHS #3 (OF 3) CVR A PIZARRI    $4.99
OCT190781    ROM DIRE WRAITHS #3 (OF 3) CVR B HOWELL    $4.99
SEP200458    STAR TREK YEAR FIVE #17    $3.99
OCT200410    TRANSFORMERS ESCAPE #1 (OF 5) CVR A MCGUIRE-SMITH    $3.99
OCT200411    TRANSFORMERS ESCAPE #1 (OF 5) CVR B WINTON CHAN    $3.99
AUG200536    TRANSFORMERS GALAXIES #12 CVR A GRIFFITH    $3.99
AUG200537    TRANSFORMERS GALAXIES #12 CVR B ROCHE    $3.99
OCT200465    USAGI YOJIMBO WANDERERS ROAD #2 (OF 6) PEACH MOMOKO CVR    $3.99


Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 30, 2020

IMAGE COMICS

OCT200211    LOST SOLDIERS #5 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
OCT200215    MONSTRESS TALK-STORIES #2 (OF 2) (MR)    $3.99
OCT200216    NAILBITER RETURNS #8 (MR)    $3.99


Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 30, 2020

MARVEL COMICS

OCT200586    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #55 DELLOTTO VAR LR    $3.99
OCT200583    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #55 LR    $3.99
OCT200585    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #55 RON LIM LEGO VAR LR    $3.99
OCT208180    AVENGERS #38 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
OCT200615    AVENGERS #40    $3.99
OCT200617    AVENGERS #40 SWABY VAR    $3.99
OCT200616    AVENGERS #40 WEAVER CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
OCT208181    CAPTAIN MARVEL #23 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
OCT208182    CHAMPIONS #2 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
APR201022    GHOST RIDER RETURN OF VENGEANCE #1    $4.99
OCT200608    GHOST RIDER RETURN OF VENGEANCE #1 HOTZ KNULLIFIED VAR    $4.99
OCT200606    GHOST RIDER RETURN OF VENGEANCE #1 STEGMAN VAR    $4.99
APR201023    GHOST RIDER RETURN OF VENGEANCE #1 TAN VAR    $4.99
OCT200529    KING IN BLACK IRON MAN DOOM #1    $3.99
OCT200530    KING IN BLACK IRON MAN DOOM #1 MORA VAR    $3.99
OCT200534    KING IN BLACK NAMOR #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAR201128    MARVEL GRAPHIC COMIC BOXES NON-STOP SPIDER-MAN (BUNDLE OF 5)    $50.00
MAR200936    POWER PACK #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
OCT208183    SHANG-CHI #2 (OF 5) 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
OCT200651    SHANG-CHI #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
OCT200653    SHANG-CHI #4 (OF 5) RANDOLPH KNULLIFIED VAR    $3.99
MAR201105    SPIDER-MAN INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE POSTER BOOK TP    $24.99
SEP200736    SPIDER-MAN NOIR TP TWILIGHT IN BABYLON    $15.99
OCT208184    VENOM #29 2ND PTG VAR    $3.99
APR200975    WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #3 (OF 4)    $3.99
OCT200563    WOLVERINE #8    $4.99
OCT200564    WOLVERINE #8 RAPOZA KNULLIFIED VAR    $4.99
OCT200567    WOLVERINE #8 SIENKIEWICZ VAR    $4.99
SEP200741    X-FACTOR BY LEAH WILLIAMS TP    $15.99
OCT200571    X-MEN #16    $3.99
OCT200572    X-MEN #16 COELLO KNULLIFIED VAR    $3.99


Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for December 30, 2020

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

NOV201828    ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM GN VOL 03 PT 1    $14.99
OCT201245    BAD MOTHER #5 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
OCT201056    BAD RECEPTION TP    $16.99
JUN201051    BATMAN THREE JOKERS #1 CGC GRADED    $80.00
OCT201119    BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR TP VOL 03    $10.99
OCT201732    BLUE PERIOD GN VOL 02    $12.99
OCT201828    BREASTS ARE MY FAVORITE THINGS IN WORLD GN VOL 03 (MR)    $13.00
OCT201252    CARDINAL DAGON TP VOL 01 (MR)    $12.99
SEP201009    CARMINE #3 (MR)    $3.99
JUL208672    CARMINE #3 CVR B GALINDO    $3.99
OCT201108    CARSON OF VENUS REALM OF DEAD READER PACK    $10.99
NOV201704    CITY GN VOL 10    $12.95
AUG201166    COARAPTOR ONE SHOT #2 KAIJU OF THE WIND    $4.99
APR201796    DF BATMAN #92 PUNCHLINE VAR TYNION SGN    $29.99
NOV201309    DRAGONERO THREAT TO EMPIRE HC GN    $23.99
OCT201651    ENGINEWARD #6 CVR A EISMA    $3.99
OCT201652    ENGINEWARD #6 CVR B HICKMAN    $3.99
NOV201178    ENTITY (1996) #1/2 NIRA X ROYAL BLUE VAR (MR)    $16.99
OCT201068    FEARLESS DAWN RETURN OF OLD NUMBER SEVEN ONE SHOT    $3.99
OCT201892    GAL GOHAN GN VOL 06 (MR)    $12.99
OCT201767    GENTLE NOBLES VACATION RECOMMENDATION GN VOL 02 (RES)    $12.99
OCT201660    HEIST OR HOW TO STEAL A PLANET TP VOL 01    $19.99
OCT200993    HERMANN ONE SHOT    $4.00
OCT201915    HI SCORE GIRL GN VOL 05    $12.99
OCT201468    HOLLYWOOD TRASH #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
NOV201829    I SHALL SURVIVE USING POTIONS GN VOL 02    $14.99
OCT201669    I WALK WITH MONSTERS #2 CVR A CANTIRINO (MR)    $3.99
OCT201670    I WALK WITH MONSTERS #2 CVR B HICKMAN (MR)    $3.99
OCT201504    INVADER ZIM QUARTERLY HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1 CVR A ALEXOVICH    $5.99
OCT201505    INVADER ZIM QUARTERLY HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1 CVR B WUCINICH    $5.99
OCT201580    JOHN CARPENTERS TALES SCIFI VORTEX 2 #7 (OF 8) (MR)    $3.99
OCT201050    KAIJU SCORE #2    $4.99
NOV201477    KATIE THE CATSITTER HC GN    $20.99
NOV201476    KATIE THE CATSITTER SC GN    $12.99
OCT201897    MACHIMAHO MADE WRONG PERSON MAGICAL GIRL GN VOL 07 (MR)    $12.99
OCT200985    MIRKA ANDOLFOS UNSACRED VOL 2 #2 CVR A  ANDOLFO (MR)    $3.99
OCT200986    MIRKA ANDOLFOS UNSACRED VOL 2 #2 CVR B ZHOU (MR)    $3.99
OCT200987    MIRKA ANDOLFOS UNSACRED VOL 2 #2 CVR C CHATZOUDIS (MR)    $3.99
OCT200988    MIRKA ANDOLFOS UNSACRED VOL 2 #2 CVR D BAGNOLI (MR)    $3.99
SEP209324    PHANTOM STARKILLER #1 2ND PTG    $3.99
OCT201688    ROBYN HOOD 2020 ANNUAL WORLDS APART CVR A VITORINO    $7.99
OCT201689    ROBYN HOOD 2020 ANNUAL WORLDS APART CVR B VIGONTE    $7.99
OCT201690    ROBYN HOOD 2020 ANNUAL WORLDS APART CVR C KHAMUNAKI    $7.99
OCT201836    SACRIFICIAL PRINCESS & KING BEASTS GN VOL 12    $13.00
NOV201701    SAIYUKI ORIGINAL SERIES RESURRECTED HC GN VOL 04    $32.99
OCT201058    SYMPATHY FOR NO DEVILS #3    $3.99
OCT201265    TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #125 ALT PATHS BOO CAT (MR)    $3.99
OCT201823    THAT TIME I REINCARNATED SLIME MONSTER NATION GN VOL 03    $13.00
OCT201061    WAR ON TERROR GODKILLERS TP    $16.99
OCT201657    WASTED SPACE #18 (MR)    $3.99
OCT201907    WHITE ROSE IN BLOOM GN VOL 01 (MR)    $12.99
OCT201463    WOLFWALKERS GN    $14.99
OCT201464    WOLFWALKERS HC GN    $24.99
AUG201353    ZAGOR AMERICAN ODYSSEY GN    $14.99
SEP201423    ZATOPEK GN    $22.99
OCT201109    ZORRO CLASSIC REPRINTS READER PACK    $10.99

MAGAZINES

OCT201299    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1742    $PI
OCT201452    HORRORHOUND #86    $6.99

BOOKS

OCT201422    101 DALMATIANS LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK REISSUE    $5.99
NOV201830    ARCHDEMONS DILEMMA HOW LOVE ELF BRIDE LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 09    $14.99
OCT201908    BERSERK OF GLUTTONY LIGHT NOVEL VOL 01    $13.99
JUL201350    CYBERPUNK 2077 COMP OFFICIAL GUIDE HC (RES)    $39.99
JUL201349    CYBERPUNK 2077 COMP OFFICIAL GUIDE SC (RES)    $24.99
NOV201471    DC SUPER HEROES BATMAN BOOK CROOKS PICTUREBACK    $5.99
NOV201472    DC SUPER HEROES BATMAN COPYCAT YR SC    $5.99
NOV201473    DC SUPERMAN MY DAD IS SUPERHERO BOARD BOOK HC    $6.99
NOV201474    DC WONDER WOMAN MY MOM IS SUPERHERO BOARD BOOK HC    $6.99
NOV201362    DISNEY ITS A SMALL WORLD LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $5.99
JUN201163    DITKO SHRUGGED UNCOMPROMISING LIFE OF THE ARTIST (RES)    $49.99
NOV201876    DRAW FASHIONABLE MANGA GIRLS SC    $12.99
NOV201352    DRAWING WORDS & WRITING PICTURES SC NEW PTG    $36.99
NOV201831    FULL METAL PANIC COLLECTORS ED LIGHT NOVEL HC VOL 4-6    $29.99
NOV201832    INFINITE DENDROGRAM LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 10    $14.99
NOV201363    LOKI LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $5.99
OCT201633    MEDIEVALIST COMICS & AMERICAN CENTURY SC    $30.00
AUG201329    MINDVISCOSITY HC MATT FURIE    $39.99
NOV201833    MY NEXT LIFE AS VILLAINESS ROUTES LEAD DOOM SC NOVEL VOL 05    $14.99
NOV201622    PERSPECTIVE FOR COMIC BOOK ARTISTS SC    $22.99
OCT201912    REINCARNATED AS A SWORD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 07    $13.99
OCT201581    STAR WARS ARCHIVES 1977 1983 TASCHEN 40TH ANNIV ED    $25.00
NOV201365    STAR WARS GALAXY OF HOPE LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $5.99
NOV201215    STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC HC NOVEL LIGHT OF JEDI (RES)    $28.99
NOV201366    TOM & JERRY MEET LITTLE QUACK LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK    $5.99
NOV201367    WALT DISNEYS 101 DALMATIANS LITTLE GOLDEN BOARD BOOK    $7.99
NOV201475    WONDER WOMAN SAVES THE TREES STEP INTO READING SC    $5.99



DC Comics from Lunar/UCS Distributors for December 29, 2020

DC COMICS:

Batman Annual #5 (Cover A Derrick Chew), $4.99
Batman Annual #5 (Cover B InHyuk Lee Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Detective Comics Volume 4 Cold Vengeance TP, $29.99
Batman The Rise And Fall Of The Batmen Omnibus HC, $150.00
Dark Nights Death Metal The Last 52 War Of The Multiverses #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Dan Mora), $8.99
Dark Nights Death Metal The Last 52 War Of The Multiverses #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Gary Frank), AR
Green Lantern By Geoff Johns Volume 4 TP, $39.99
Jinny Hex Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Nick Derington), $4.99
Jinny Hex Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Nick Derington Jinny Hex Variant), AR
Justice League Endless Winter #2 (Of 2)(Cover A Mikel Janin), $4.99
Justice League Endless Winter #2 (Of 2)(Cover B Daniel Warren Johnson Card Stock Variant), AR
New Teen Titans Volume 12 TP, $19.99
Tales From The Dark Multiverse Dark Nights Metal #1 (Cover A David Marquez), $5.99
Wonder Woman Volume 3 Loveless TP, $17.99
Young Justice Volume 2 Lost In The Multiverse TP, $17.99



Sunday, December 27, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: UNDER THE MOON: A Catwoman Tale

UNDER THE MOON: A CATWOMAN TALE
DC COMICS/DC Ink – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Lauren Myracle
ART: Isaac Goodhart
COLORS: Jeremy Lawson
LETTERS: Deron Bennett
ISBN:  978-1-4012-8591-3; paperback; (May 1, 2019)
224pp, Color, $16.99 U.S., $22.99 CAN

Age Range: 13 and up

Catwoman created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane

Catwoman is a DC Comics character that is part of the Batman line of comic books.  Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, Catwoman made her debut as “the Cat” in Batman #1 (cover dated: Spring 1940).  Catwoman is Selina Kyle, and over her eight decades of existence, she has been a villain, an anti-hero, and Batman's love interest in addition to having a complex love-hate relationship with him.

Until it was recently made defunct, “DC Ink” was a DC Comics imprint that offered original graphic novels for readers of the “Young Adult” or “YA” demographic.  DC Ink titles, according to DC Comics, featured coming-of-age stories that encouraged teens to ask themselves who they are and how they relate to others.  [DC Ink is now known as “DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults.”]

Published in May of this year, Under the Moon: A Catwoman's Tale is an original graphic novel (OGN) that focuses on a young Selina Kyle before she becomes Catwoman.  It is written by bestselling author Lauren Myracle (the “Winnie Years” series); drawn by Isaac Goodhart (Image Comics/Top Cow's Postal); colored by Jeremy Lawson; and lettered by Deron Bennett.

Under the Moon: A Catwoman's Tale introduces 15-year-old Selina Kyle.  In her short life, she has had to put up with the string of bad men that her mother, Gayle, picks up on the job at Carl's Tavern.  The worst of the lot is the most recent pick-up, the brawny bully, Dernell.  Soon, Selina figures out that she cannot stay under the same roof as Dernell, and she leaves home.  She also eventually quits attending Gotham High School, where she has friends like Angie and Tristan.

Selina Kyle, however, believes that, at heart, she is a loner.  Still, she connects with the mercurial trio of Ojo, the leader; Yang, the computer genius; and Briar Rose, a young girl who does not talk and really does not want to be touched.  And Selina can't quite get former classmate, Bruce Wayne, out of her mind.  But the streets are dangerous, and some kind of beast, known as the “Gotham Growler,” is terrorizing Gotham City.

Thus far, I have read the first two releases from the DC Ink imprint, the debut release, Mera: Tidebreaker, and now, Under the Moon: A Catwoman's Tale.  Both are lovely reads, and Under the Moon: A Catwoman's Tale offers is a fetching coming-of-age tale about a young woman coming to terms with who she is.  Writer Lauren Myracle presents a teenage girl who says that she prefers caring about no one and no thing, and Myracle takes her on a journey to figure out how she can live to be a loner... with a few friends, of course.

The art team of Isaac Goodhart and colorist Jeremy Lawson deliver some of the most gorgeous comic book art that I have seen this year.  Goodhart's supple line work and lush inking are eye candy, and they make Selina Kyle's story a moody, urban fairy tale filled with a sense of mystery as much as it is filled with angst.  Lawson's colors make love to Goodhart's compositions, putting the moodiness in a jazz-accentuated mode.  Honestly, Goodhart and Lawson's work here reminds me of Daniel Clowes art for his classic graphic novel, Ghost World.

Letterer Deron Bennett, one of the best letterers in American comic books, changes fonts and graphic styles with subtlety and grace.  Bennett knows exactly the tone that is needed, when things should be quite, normal, and out-loud.

In the end, everything is topnotch in this hugely enjoyable read.  Under the Moon: A Catwoman's Tale is one of the best Catwoman comics that I have ever read.

9 out of 10

Under the Moon: A Catwoman's Tale contains the following extras and back matter:
  • Website, phone numbers, and contact information for organization that help with stopping domestic violence, avoiding self-harm, and stopping animal cruelty.
  • A page of character designs by Isaac Goodhart
  • a three-page interview section in which Lauren Myracle and Isaac Goodhart interview each other
  • two author biographical pages
  • a  full-color preview of the graphic novel, Teen Titans: Raven, from Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Saturday, December 26, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: WOOF WOOF STORY... Volume 2

WOOF WOOF STORY..., VOL. 2
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGA-KA: Koikuchi Kiki
ORIGINAL STORY: Inumajin
CHARACTER DESIGN: Kochimo
TRANSLATION: Wesley O'Donnell
LETTERS: DK
ISBN: 978-1-9753-0856-8; paperback (May 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
180pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Woof Woof Story: I Told You to Turn Me Into a Pampered Pooch, Not Fenrir! is a Japanese light novel series created by author Inumajin and illustrated by Kochimo.  Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko (an imprint of Kadokawa Shoten) began publishing the series in late 2017.  Artist Koikuchi Kiki produces a manga adaptation of the novel series, which Kadokawa began publishing on its digital manga reading service, ComicWalker, in February 2018.  Yen Press began publishing an English-language adaptation of the manga in 2019.

[In this review, I sometimes shorten the title, Woof Woof Story: I Told You to Turn Me Into a Pampered Pooch, Not Fenrir!, to Woof Woof Story.]

Woof Woof Story begins with the story of Routa Okami, an office worker and “corporate slave” who is working himself to death.  He has a crazy wish in which he says, “I just want an easy life, even as some rich person's dog...”  One day Routa drops dead in the middle of his busy office.  A goddess heard Routa's wish and brings him back to life as a pampered pooch, a companion for a wealthy young woman named Mary... But Routa isn't just any dog, he is a enormous, white, wolf-like creature, and he has supernatural powers!

As Woof Woof Story: I Told You to Turn Me Into a Pampered Pooch, Not Fenrir!, Vol. 2 (Chapters 8 to 12) opens, Routa's pampered-pooch life is in jeopardy.  Every year, around the same time, Mary falls gravely ill, and this year, it seems life-threatening.  Doctor Hecate says a rare medicinal flower, “the wyrmnil,” can help Mary, and if they can find fully potent samples of the flower, Hecate believes that she can cure Mary of her ailment for good.

However, “the wyrmnil” is named so because it is guarded by a fearsome dragon, and it falls on Routa to obtain the flower.  To cure Mary and to maintain his lifestyle, Routa will have to do some actual work for a change!  And his partner in the quest for the wyrmnil is non-other than the swords woman, Zenobia, who is looking for an excuse to kill Routa!

[This volume includes an “Afterword” and “Translation Notes.”]

The Woof Woof Story: I Told You to Turn Me Into a Pampered Pooch, Not Fenrir!manga is new to me.  I hadn't even heard of the light novel series, but being familiar with novel is not necessary to enjoy the manga.

Woof Woof Story: I Told You to Turn Me Into a Pampered Pooch, Not Fenrir! Volume 2 is a very enjoyable read.  I was not expecting much from it.  I don't know what the rest of this series offers, but Vol. 2 is a quality volume.

Vol. 2 starts off as a playful romp with buxom, naked girls whose naughty bits are always drawn as being obscured or conveniently covered up – typical “fanservice.”  When Mary falls ill, the story moves to pure melodrama, but when Routa and Zenobia begin their journey, the narrative suddenly gets a surge of energy via conflict and adventure.

Zenobia is conflicted because she respects Routa's devotion to Mary, but she senses his powers and believes that they are an evil threat to Mary.  Routa turns out to be very resourceful and has powerful abilities, and he is both brave and lazy.  Manga creator Koikuchi Kiki balances Routa's desire for the easy life with his sense of duty and self-preservation.  I find myself drawn to him, mainly because there seems to be more to Routa than it obvious.  I can also say that about Woof Woof Story; this is a manga that is worth a second look.

7 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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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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