Friday, June 12, 2026

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

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

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

- AmazonUK;

Bookshop.org;

- ElmStreetBooks;

- the German book shop, OrrellFussli;

- Powells.com;

- Russell Books.com;

- SuperBookDeals.com;

Walmart online.

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

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




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


I Reads You Juniors: June 2026 - UPDATE #18

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

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

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

NEWS:

COMICS - From PopverseRob Liefeld has decided to NOT write his tell-all memoir about his mercurial career in comic books and media. [Sigh]

EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  The French and Iranian graphic novelist, comics creator, film director, children's book author, Marjane Satrapi, has died at the age of 56, Thursday, June 4, 2026.  Satrapi was best known as the author of the autobiographical graphic novel series, "Persepolis."  The first volume of Persepolis was published by L'Association in 2000. "Persepolis: The Story of Childhood Vol. 1" was published in 2003 by Pantheon.  She was also known for her 2006 graphic novel, "Chicken with Plums."  Satrapi co-directed an animated feature film adaptation of "Persepolis" (2007), which earned an Oscar-nomination for "Best Animated Feature."  Among her live-action films was also an adaptation of "Chicken with Plums" (2011).

DC STUDIOS - From ThePlaylistJames Gunn has revealed an image of Lex Luthor's "Warsuit" that will appear in the "Superman" (2025) sequel, "Man of Tomorrow" (2027).

COMICS - From ComicsBeatMad Cave Studios will release "Denver."  It is a dystopian, post-climate change thriller written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray; drawn by Pier Brito; and lettered by the late Bill Tortolini (who died of a heart attack in 2021 at the age of 46).  The series is set in a future where the capital of Colorado has become one of the few safe cities after most of the planet was devastated by rising oceans.  "Denver #1" is set for a August 26, 2026 release.

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MAY 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Ignition Press for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Invader Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Drawn & Quarterly for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for May 2026

JUNE 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Abrams for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Drawn & Quarterly for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  HarperCollins for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazines for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Hoffman International and Warrant Publishing for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Captain America" for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Massive Selects for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Midnight Factory for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for June 2026

JULY 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Abrams for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  American Mythology for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Comics! The Magazine for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Batman #22" for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Superman" for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Drawn & Quarterly for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazine for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Ignition Press for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Todd McFarlane titles for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Iron Age Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Armageddon" for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Queen in Black" titles for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Massive for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Midnight Factory for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Part-Time Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rae Media for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rekcah for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rocketship for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Ruptura Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Scholastic for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  SHP for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Warrant and Hoffman for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Wise Acre Comics for July 2026

AUGUST 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Armageddon" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "X-Men DNX" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Queen in Black" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "What If" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2026

SEPTEMBER 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Cmics "Avengers Armageddon" titles for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Queen in Black" titles for September 2026


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Thursday, June 11, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: NIGHT CLUB II #5

NIGHT CLUB II #5 (OF 6)
DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar
ART: Juanan Ramírez
COLORS: Fabiana Mascolo
LETTERS: Clem Robins
EDITOR: Daniel Chabon
COVER: Juanan Ramírez with Fabiana Mascolo
EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Juanan Ramirez
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2025)

Rating: 18+

Night Club created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Night Club II is a six-issue miniseries written and created by Mark Millar and drawn by Juanan Ramírez.  A Dark Horse Comics publication and a Netflix production, Night Club II is a sequel to the 2023 miniseries, Night Club.  Both series focus on a teen boy who is bitten by a vampire and decides to make the best of his new condition.  Colorist Fabiana Mascolo and letterer Clem Robins complete Night Club II's creative team.

Night Club II focuses on 17-year-old Danny Garcia.  After being turned into a vampire, he passed his new found powers unto his friends, DJ Sam Huxley and Amy Chen.  Now, they're the superheroes:  Starguard (Danny), Thundercloud (Sam), Yellowbird (Amy).  But jealousy has broken up this vampire-superhero trio and opened the door to a disaster of newer, more nihilistic and narcissistic vampires. 

Night Club II #5 opens in Philadelphia, specifically at St. Luke's Hospital.  Amy is there to steal blood.  In fact, she has been stealing from blood banks all over the city.  Why is Amy a blood thief?

Risso, Kendra, and their vampire gang killed Danny and Sam.  Amy believes that if vampires are real, then, some of the stories and myths about them must be real, also.  Relying mostly on old horror movies, Amy has concocted an idea of how to bring her friends back from... the wherever.

Meanwhile, Risso pays a visit to someone to whom he believes he owes a flex.  Plus, the Philly police are deep into an investigation of all these missing teens.

THE LOWDOWN:  This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics.  The latest received is Night Club II #5.

Night Club II is full of surprises, and writer Mark Millar always drops surprises in his comic books.  The unexpected is to be expected, and this fifth issue of Night Club II does not disappoint.  The Hammer Film Productions vampire movies are clearly a point of reference here.  Christopher Lee first plays Count Dracula in Hammer's 1958 film, Dracula (known as Horror of Dracula in the U.S.).  In later Hammer-Lee Dracula films, the Count is revived via methods that are similar to the process Amy is using to revive her partners in superhero/vampire crime.

Artist Juanan Ramírez has built this narrative on capturing the reckless nature of young people with too much power, regardless of whether this power is natural or supernatural and criminal or evil.  Ramirez's storytelling has made Night Club II a vampire comic book like no other.  He brings Millar's unique concept to life with a style that is both gaudy and earthy. Night Club jumps off the page with Ramirez's incomparable graphics, and colorist Fabiana Mascolo brings the funk and flash to Ramirez's art.  Clem Robins' lettering, as always, is a perfect accompaniment.

Night Club II does not disappoint, dear readers.  It's vampire+.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of vampire comic books will want to be bitten by Night Club II.

A

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

This fifth issue is reprinted in the trade paperback, "NIGHT CLUB VOLUME 2," which is available at Amazon.


https://x.com/mrmarkmillar
https://x.com/netflix
https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/
http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://www.darkhorse.com/
https://x.com/darkhorsecomics/
https://www.facebook.com/darkhorsecomics/
https://www.instagram.com/DarkHorseComics/


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

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

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


Tuesday, June 9, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: PERSEPOLIS: The Story of a Childhood

PERSEPOLIS: THE STORY OF A CHILDHOOD
PANTHEON

CARTOONIST: Marjane Satrapi
TRANSLATION: Mattias Ripa and Blake Ferris
LETTERS: Eve Deluze
COVER: Marjane Satrapi with Jean-Christopher Menu
ISBN: 978-0-375-71457-3; paperback (June 2004)
164pp, B&W, $13.95, $17.95 CAN

Marjane Satrapi was an Iranian and French comics creator, graphic novelist, film director, and children's book author.  She died recently (June 2026) at the age of 56.  Her best-known work was the Persepolis, a series of graphic novels about her childhood and early adulthood in Iran and Austria during and after the “Islamic Revolution” (also known as the “Iranian Revolution”).

Satrapi would later co-direct (with Vincent Paronnaud) the animated feature film, Persepolis, an adaptation of the graphic novels.  The film was released in 2007.  Satrapi became the first woman to be nominated for a “Best Animated Feature” Oscar, when the film was nominated for the 80th Academy Awards.

French comics publisher, L'Assocation, published Persepolis as four graphic novels.  In 2004, Pantheon Books published the four graphic novels as two English-language graphic novels:  Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood and Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return.

In 2006, Pantheon sent me a review copy of the 2004 reprint edition of the first volume.  I am re-posting the review of the book that I originally wrote for another website:

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Although its American edition is two years old, Persepolis is worthy of continuous discussion.  Cartoonist Marjane Satrapi tells the story of her childhood, growing up in late 70’s and early 80’s Iran, under the oppressive regime of the Shah (Part 1), and, then, the perilous existence during years of the Islamic Revolution and the Iran/Iraq War (Part 2).

For the U.S. edition, Pantheon combined Parts 1 and 2 into Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (The American edition Persepolis 2 combines Parts 3 and 4).  L’Association, the French publishing house, originally published Persepolis in French, and Satrapi’s husband, Mattias Ripa, translated Part 1 into English with Blake Ferris translating Part 2.

Satrapi’s narrative is a mixture of several ingredients that enrich her story.  She blends the history of Iran (Persepolis was an ancient ceremonial capitol of Persia, now known as Iran) with her family’s history.  She places her ambitions next to those of her parents, and her view of religion and faith often clashes with theirs.

Parts of her story are a document of the world in which she lives, and much of the story is also internal and separate from an outside reality.  Satrapi makes Iran’s recent history engaging by putting human faces on it, and makes her fictional self more interesting and a fuller character by putting herself in the context of larger events.

Satrapi draws in a simple, flexible, pliable line, and uses blocks of black to create simple forms and recognizable shapes.  This makes for an uncomplicated, but universal comics language.  Comparable to Maus, Persepolis is an excellent comic book that reveals the diversity and breath of comics storytelling.  If only the real powers-in-charge of big American comics publishing attempted works like Persepolis.

A+
10 out of 10

EDITED with additions to the 2006 original review:  Sunday, June 7, 2026

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

You can read the complete "Persepolis" in "THE COMPLETE PERSEPOIS: 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION, which is available at Amazon.


https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OnzY1OgwUE0XPAHpqlcvQ
https://x.com/PantheonBooks
https://www.instagram.com/penguinrandomhouse


The text is copyright © 2026 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

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


Saturday, June 6, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND #2

ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND VOLUME 1 #2
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone
ART: Kewber Baal
COLORS: Walter Pereya
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Dave Acosta with Walter Pereya
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2023)

Rated Teen+

Chapter Two: “Frankie Goes to Hollywood”

In 1981, actress and model Cassandra Peterson created the “horror hostess character,” known as “Elvira.”  Elvira gradually grew in popularity and eventually became a brand name.  As Elvira, Peterson endorsed many products and became a pitch-woman, appearing in numerous television commercials throughout the 1980s.

Elvira also appeared in comic books, beginning in 1986 with the short-lived series from DC Comics, Elvira's House of Mystery.  In 2018, Elvira returned to comic books via Dynamite Entertainment.  Elvira's latest comic book series is Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1.  The series is written by David Avallone; drawn by Kewber Baal; colored by Walter Pereyra; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  The series finds Elvira returning to the Multiverse of Movies (a bunch of “pocket dimensions” created by the existence of movies) in order to stop Vlad the Impaler and the creation of a monster army.

Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #2 (“Frankie Goes to Hollywood”) opens in the universe of director Carl Laemmle, Jr.'s 1931 film, Frankenstein.  And Elvira finds the hands of the title character around her neck, but she has bigger problems – believe it or not.

Elvira's arch-enemy, Vlad the Impaler – the original Count Dracula – is raiding the Multiverse of Movies in order to convince a bevy of famous film monsters into joining him in the creation of a monster army.  He is also willing to kidnap and snatch-up.  Can Elvira stop Vlad – this time – before he makes off with actor Boris Karloff as Frankenstein.  Meanwhile, Elvira begins to wonder if Vlad is really the mastermind behind this.

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #2, one of many Dynamite/David Avallone Elvira comic books that I have read and enjoyed.

I like black and white horror movies, especially of the variety known as “Universal Monsters,” so I find myself delightfully entertained by “Frankie Goes to Hollywood.”  I also like how writer David Avallone makes even Vlad the Impaler a funny guy.  Obviously, he's the villain, but there is a dexterity in the way Avallone depicts him.  He's isn't just bad muscle.

Artist Kewber Baal's art perfectly captures the humor of Elvira, the witty dialogue of Elvira, and the cleavage of Elvira.  Avallone's Elvira's comic books are a high-spirited affair, and Baal's storytelling hits the heights.  Colorist Walter Pereyra and letterer Taylor Esposito also contribute to the liveliness of this funky chapter.

Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #2 offers a passing reference to Return of the Jedi (1983) in addition to the Universal references.  There is even a setup reference via An American Werewolf in London (1981).  So let's return for some more fun, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Elvira and of David Avallone's Elvira comic books will want to read Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1.

A

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


https://twitter.com/DAvallone
https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

This second issue is collected in the collection, "ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND," which is available in Kindle, hardcover, and paperback editions at Amazon.


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

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


Thursday, June 4, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: VATICAN CITY #3

VATICAN CITY #3 (OF 3)
DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar
ART: Per Berg
COLORS: Per Berg
LETTERS: Per Berg
EDITOR: Daniel Chabon
EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin
COVER: Per Berg
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Per Berg
32pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (June 2025)

Rating: 18+

Vatican City created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Vatican City is a three-issue Millarworld miniseries from Dark Horse Comics.  It is created and written by Mark Millar and drawn, colored, and lettered by Per Berg.  Vatican City is set in a world overrun by vampires, except for Vatican City, which is the main target of the vampires.

Vatican City finds the vampire race revealing itself for the first time in ages.  Their goal is “Vatican City,” the independent city-state within Rome, Italy that is the government of the “Holy See” (the Pope and the Papacy).  Now, Guido Cavelti, recently of the Swiss Air Force, leads the human resistance to an invasion of monsters determined to get something that is buried deep beneath Vatican City.

Vatican City #3 opens in Vatican City, RomeGuido Cavelti believes that he now has some leverage to save the remaining humans inside the iconic Vatican church, St Peter's Basilica, from the vampire horde that surrounds the Vatican.  That leverage exists in the form of the sarcophagus that holds the body of “Gel-Gorge-Eh,” the vampire queen, and the vampires want that body in order to revive her.

However, things don't go as expected for either these last few humans or the vampires.  Can prayer save the day?

THE LOWDOWN:  This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics.  The latest received is Vatican City #3.

As I expected, writer Mark Millar throws this huge curve ball in this final issue of Vatican City.  Call it a shocker, twist, or surprise, but it completely wrecked my expectations.  How this narrative resolves is also a big surprise.  The point is that Millar once again delivers sterling genre entertainment.

Per Berg (also known as Per Darwin Berg or by the pen name, “Narwhal”) delivers a finale that is both dreamlike and surreal.  His art, colors, and letters are both representational and impressionistic, which, from the beginning, allowed Berg to depict a world that was rapidly shifting from the natural to the supernatural.  He created a sense of uncertainty in a genre – vampire fiction – in which many storytellers often try to be literal and conservative even in the most fantastic scenarios.  Here, instead, Berg offers the unusual.

Millar and Berg gave readers a reason to come back for the third issue, and now, they've given us a reason to come back for the trade paperback collection, which is due this fall.  I suggest that you, dear readers, read this anyway you can.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar, of vampire comic books, and of horror apocalypse will want to read Vatican City.

A
★★★★ out of 4 stars

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

"Vatican City #3" is reprinted in the trade paperback collection, "VATICAN CITY," which is available at Amazon.

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/
https://x.com/mrmarkmillar
https://x.com/netflix
http://www.millarworld.tv/
https://www.darkhorse.com/


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

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

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


Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Katie Skelly Talks "HEAVEN" with Fantagraphics' Eric Reynolds


Fantagraphics Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds, talked to cartoonist and comics creator, Katie Skelly, about her upcoming graphic novel, Heaven, a month ago.  You can find out more information about Heaven, including the ability to preorder or order the graphic novel at Fantgraphics.  The book is currently due July 7, 2026.

You can also preorder or order "Heaven" at Amazon.

The YouTube video of the Eric Reynolds-Katie Skelly Q&A is posted below:

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

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


#IReadsYou Review: THE MAGIC ORDER 5 #3

THE MAGIC ORDER 5 #3 (OF 6)
DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar
ART: Matteo Buffagni
COLORS: Giovanna Niro
LETTERS: Clem Robins
EDITOR: Daniel Chabon
EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin
COVER: Matteo Buffagni with Giovanna Niro
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Matteo Buffagni
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2024)

Rating: 18+

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix

“The Death of Cordelia Moonstone”

The Magic Order 5 is a six-issue miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Matteo Buffagni.  This is the fifth installment of The Magic Order series, which began with the 2018-19 miniseries written by Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel.  The Magic Order is a band of sorcerers, magicians, and wizards – with a focus on the Moonstone family and its leader, Cordelia Moonstone – that live ordinary lives by day, but protect humanity from darkness and monsters of impossible sizes by night.  Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series creative team.

The Magic Order 5 finds Cordelia preparing for her death – the punishment for using black magic (back in Volume 1).  However, a new case has dropped itself in front of her, but it all may be a front for some really bad people trying to collect the price on Cordelia's head.  The end is coming in three days.

The Magic Order 5 #3 opens on a lonely, rural Vermont road.  “Skin-Walker Sam,” the magical hit-man, makes his latest move in a track that will bring him closer to his target, Cordelia Moonstone.  Meanwhile, Cordelia believes that she has uncovered the identity of the entities behind the kidnapping of male toddlers from across the country.  The “why” is horrific, especially because the perpetrators were supposedly destroyed by The Magic Order long ago.

Later, when a walk in the city turns into a dog day afternoon, Cordelia will have to rely on a really bad hombre, Clyde Bailey, to save her life.  Meanwhile, Sister Moon is sending someone to claim the magic world's most attractive bounty.

THE LOWDOWN:  This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics.  The latest received is The Magic Order 5 #3.

I have often said that The Magic Order is my favorite of the titles that Mark Millar has created for Netflix since it bought Millarworld.  Millar has filled this franchise with surprises, and each issue of The Magic Order 5 gets crazier with the unexpected.  The Magic Order has previously been described as “Harry Potter series meets The Godfather,” and if that is true, then, it is more like The Godfather.  I will say that adults who have to tolerate Harry Potter only because of their kids will find that someone has created a supernatural drama and crime thriller just for them.

The art team of Matteo Buffagni and colorist Giovanna Niro are delivering stellar work early in this series.  At the halfway point, Buffagni's storytelling dives deep into the peril of Cordelia Moonstone with Niro's coloring blazing a dazzling path to the finale.  As usual, Clem Robins's lettering is the gentle chamber music by which to read this deathwatch.

The Magic Order 5 is plotting something mind-bending; that I know, dear readers.  Don't miss the twenty-first century's best American comic book about wizards and sorcerers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order 5.

A+
10 out of 10

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

The Magic Order Volume 5 is currently available via a Kindle edition at Amazon.

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/
https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar
https://twitter.com/netflix
https://twitter.com/themagicorder
http://www.millarworld.tv/
https://www.darkhorse.com/


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

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Sunday, May 31, 2026

I Reads You Juniors: May 2026 - UPDATE #46

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

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

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

NEWS:

MARVEL - From ComicsBeat:  Marvel Comics is heading towards huge changes.  "President of Marvel Comics & Franchise," Dan Buckley, has announced that he is stepping down.  The new leadership team will be Marvel Studios executive Brad Winderbaum who will be "Head of Marvel Television, Animation, Comics & Franchise."  Disney Publishing Exec, David Abdo, will become "General/Manager Comics & Franchise" and will report to Winderbaum. Buckley will remain at Marvel through mid-2027 to help with the transition.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer-artist Rob Guillory, the co-creator of "Chew" (Image Comics), has teased some news about the Chew.  Blumhouse and Atomic Monster are developing it as a live-action television series.  Actor Randall Park (Ant-Man) may play the series lead, "Tony Chu."

DC STUDIOS - From IMDb:  Director Matt Reeves has confirmed that German actor, Sebastian Koch, has joined the cast of his 2027 film, "The Batman II."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Brandon T. Snider talks about his DC "Young Readers" graphic novel, "Supergirls Family Vacation."  Drawn by Sarah Leuver, "Supergirl's Family Vacation" is available now. 

MARVEL/MIDNIGHT - From BleedingCool:  Marvel announces solicitations information on its first three "Midnight" line titles "Midnight X-Men" (Aug. 2026), "Midnight Fantastic Four" (Sept. 2026), and "Midnight Spider-Man" (Oct. 2026).

AWARDS - From ECBACC:  ECBACC - the "East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention" has announced the winners for the "Glyph Comics Award 2026" in nine categories.  Gerald Vreden and Hakim Rafai's "Rise of the Mafu" wins four of the nine awards.

JACK KIRBY - From TheConversation:  Tomorrow (Mon., May 11, 2026), a street on Manhattan's Lower East Side will be named "Jack Kirby Way," in honor of the co-creator of the Marvel Comics Universe, the late, great Jack Kirby.

From BleedingCool:  "Bleeding Cool" has an article on the ceremony creating "Jack Kirby Way." It includes photographic images and some video.
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DC STUDIOS - From WorldofReelGreg Mottola is apparently in the lead to direct an untitled film from DC Studios that will star DC comics villains "Bane" and "Deathstroke."

MARVEL/MIDNIGHT - From BleedingCoolMarvel Comics apparently has a new imprint slash universe, entitled "Midnight." Bleeding Cool is describing it as "Absolute Horror" line, that will launch this fall with "radical" re-imaginings of Marvel Comics characters.  Writers Jonathan Hickman, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, and Benjamin Percy, who all recently signed exclusive deals with Marvel, are reportedly involved.  "Bleeding Cool" says that the imprint will focus on new versions of Blade, Ghost Rider, Darkhold, Dracula, Morbius, and Werewolf By Night.  Marvel is reportedly aiming for Halloween 2026 launch.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Current "Batman" series writer, Matt Fraction, talks about the next big "Bat-Family" crossover event, "Bad Seeds."

MARVEL - From BleedingCoolKevin Smith ("Clerks," "Daredevil") and Andy McElfresh ("The Tonight Show") are cowriting the miniseries, "Spider-Man/Hulk: Fire & Brimstone" for Marvel Comics.  R.B. Silva will draw the series, which debuts August 19th, 2026.  The story finds Bruce Banner seeking an exorcism to finally cure the Hulk.

From ComicsBeatMarvel Comics has revealed they will mark "Disability Pride Month" in July with four back-up stories, all written by Marieke Nijkamp ("Hawkeye: Kate Bishop"), with art by Andrea Di Vito ("Emma Frost: The White Queen").  The stories will spotlight disabled superheroes like Daredevil, Misty Knight, Echo, Hawkeye (Clint Barton), Silhouette, and Finesse.  The stories will be serialized story in the July 2026 issues of "Amazing Spider-Man #32," "Uncanny X-Men #31," "Fantastic Four #14," and "Wolverine #24."  The heroes characters come together to save Misty’s partner, Colleen Wing.
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EN MEMORIAM - From Marvel:  Comic book writer and editor, Gerry Conway, has died at the age of 73.  Conway is best known for co-creating such Marvel Comics characters as "The Punisher," "Ben Reilly" (The Spider-Man clone), and the first "Ms. Marvel" (Carol Danvers).  For DC Comics, Conway created "Firestorm," "Jason Todd,/Robin," "Killer Croc," and Power Girl, to name just a few of the many DC characters he created.  Conway also wrote the first modern day intercompany crossover, "Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man" (March 1976). He also briefly served as Marvel's "Editor-in-Chief."  Conway was also a prolific television writer, and served as writer-producer on the NBC's "Law & Order" franchise from 1999 to 2006.

From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer and healthcare journalist and professional, Lew Strazewski, has died at the age of 71, Monday, April 27, 2026.  Stazewski is best known for his comic book writing for several publishers, most specifically DC Comics and Malibu.  He wrote The Flash, JSA, and Starman for DC Comics.  Strazewski was one of the architects of Malibu Comics' "Ultraverse," where he co-created "Prime" and "Prototype."
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AWARDS - From ECBACC:  ECBACC - the "East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention" has announced the nominations for the "Glyph Comics Award 2026" in nine categories. The winners will be announced Saturday, May 9, 2026, which is a week before ECBACC 2026 takes place Saturday, May 16, 2026.

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APRIL 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea Comics for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Superman" titles for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Drawn & Quarterly for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  HarperCollins for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Spider-Man" and "Venom" titles for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "X-Men" titles for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' "Energon" titles for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" titles for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Invader Comics for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Massive Publishing for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Prana for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for April 2026
From BleedingCool:  Warrant Publishing Company for April 2026

MAY 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Ignition Press for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Invader Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Drawn & Quarterly for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for May 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for May 2026

JUNE 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Abrams for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Drawn & Quarterly for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  HarperCollins for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazines for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Hoffman International and Warrant Publishing for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Captain America" for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Massive Selects for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Midnight Factory for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for June 2026

JULY 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Abrams for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  American Mythology for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Comics! The Magazine for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Batman #22" for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Superman" for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Drawn & Quarterly for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazine for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Todd McFarlane titles for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Iron Age Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Armageddon" for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Queen in Black" titles for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Midnight Factory for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rekcah for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rocketship for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Scholastic for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  SHP for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Warrant and Hoffman for July 2026

AUGUST 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Armageddon" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "X-Men DNX" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Queen in Black" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "What If" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2026


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Friday, May 29, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: Ben 10 Returns

BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: BEN 10 RETURNS
DEL REY MANGA

WRITER: Elizabeth Hurchalla
LETTERS: Tomás Montalvo-Lagos
ISBN: 978-0-345-51438-7; paperback; (December 30, 2008)
96pp, Color, $7.99 U.S., $8.99 CAN

Rating “Y: All Ages”

Del Rey Manga and Cartoon Network Enterprises entered into a publishing partnership, and the latest book to emerge from that deal is Ben 10 Alien Force: Ben 10 Returns.  "Ben 10" and its successor, "Ben 10: Alien Force," are animated television series that have been staples on the Cartoon Network since 2005.  Ben 10 Alien Force: Ben 10 Returns is a film-comic book, in which the art is actually created by incorporating full-color stills from animated film (in this case, Ben 10: Alien Force) into the comics storytelling format.

When the pilot episode of Ben 10 aired on Cartoon Network back in December 2005, it introduced viewers to Benjamin “Ben” Tennyson, a typical 10-year-old boy, whose life was about to change.  He found a mysterious, watch-like device called the Omnitrix.  It became permanently attached to Ben’s wrist, but allowed him to transform into a variety of alien life forms.  Ben uses the device to become a superhero and to fight both alien and criminal menaces.  He does this with the assistance of his cousin, Gwendolyn “Gwen” Tennyson, and Maxwell “Max” Tennyson AKA his “Grandpa Max.”  At the end of the “Ben 10” series (in April 2008), Ben resumed his life as a normal teen.

That same month, the follow up series, Ben 10: Alien Force debuted.  It is set 5 years after the events of the original series.  Del Rey Manga’s film-comic, Ben 10 Alien Force: Ben 10 Returns adapts the first two episodes of Season One of Alien Force – “Ben 10 Returns: Part 1” and Ben 10 Returns: Part 2.”  Now a confident 15-year-old, Ben is still living a normal life and no longer wears the Omnitrix.

When Ben discovers that Grandpa Max is missing, he seeks help from Gwen, but the cousins’ reunion is interrupted by an alien colleague of their grandfather’s, Magister Laprin.  Laprin alerts them to an alien conspiracy that forces Ben and Gwen back into action, where they encounter new aliens and once again meet Ben’s rival, Kevin Levin.

THE LOWDOWN:  I’ve never watched more than a few minutes of any Ben 10 episode, for no particular reason.  Strangely, however, I’m a fan of the Ben 10 comics that have appeared in DC Comics’ wonderful anthology, Cartoon Network Action Pack, which offers comic book adaptation of popular Cartoon Network series.  Ben 10 Alien Force: Ben 10 Returns is just like those comics, except that it’s a film-comic version of two Ben 10: Alien Force episodes.

The adaptation – transforming the TV episodes into a comic book – by Elizabeth Hurchalla is sharp and crisp, which makes for a quick read that focuses on action and plot rather than on character.  Readers who are familiar with the television series already know Ben Tennyson, anyway.  If not, all that new readers need to know – who the good and bad guys are – Hurchalla’s straightforward script provides.  The art, pulled from Ben 10: Alien Force, is good quite simply because the design work on the Ben 10 TV series has been so good.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  No doubt Ben 10 Alien Force: Ben 10 Returns is a perfect comic book for young fans of the show, whether they’ve ever read a comic book or not.

B+
★★★½ out of 4 stars

RE-EDITED:  Thursday, May 27, 2026 by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2026 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, May 26, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: THE TERMINATOR #1 (2024)

THE TERMINATOR VOLUME 1, ISSUE #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Declan Shalvey; Sal Crivelli
ART: Luke Sparrow with Colin Craker; Colin Craker
COLORS: Colin Craker
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Declan Shalvey
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Edwin Galmon; Sway; David Cousens; Alex Ross; Declan Shalvey
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2024)

Rated “Teen”

The Terminator created by James Cameron

“Out of Time” and “Buried Alive”

The Terminator is a 1984 American science fiction action film.  It would be the beginning of a media and merchandising franchise that yielded several films, a live-action television series, an anime streaming series, and video games, to name a few.

Co-written by the film's director, James Cameron, and producer, Gale Anne Hurd, The Terminator focuses on three characters.  The first is a cyborg, called a “Terminator,” that is sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill a young woman.  Her name is “Sarah Connor,” and she is destined to give birth to “John Connor.”  John will grow up to be the savior of mankind when he successful leads human military forces against the Terminators creator, “Skynet,” a AI super-intelligence determined to destroy humankind.  The third character is “Kyle Reese,” a soldier from 2029 sent to the past by an adult John Connor to protect his mother.

One aspect of the Terminator franchise is comic book publishing.  Beginning in 1988, numerous publishers, including the defunct NOW Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Marvel Comics, IDW Publishing, and Dynamite Entertainment, among others, have published Terminator comic books.  Dynamite has the license again and is kicking it off with The Terminator Volume 1.  It is written by Declan Shalvey; drawn by Luke Sparrow and Colin Craker; colored by Craker; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  The Terminator Volume 1 takes place post-original film and finds Skynet sending Terminators throughout time in a bid to destroy all the people they see as threats and also their ancestors.

The Terminator Volume 1 #1 (“Out of Time”) opens in Alaska in the year 2018Harper and Penny have been on the run for almost 40 years.  In the beginning, they thought they were running from the man who showed up and destroyed their lives.  He wouldn't stop hunting them, and he killed both their parents and killed Penny's brother.  But they are about to discover that this man is not what he seems, and perhaps, is more than he seems.

After failing to kill either Sarah Connor or her son, John, Skynet has another plan.  There is a new front in the “War Against the Machines.”  Terminators are dispatched across the globe and throughout time to target current resistance fighters, their ancestors, and anyone else unlucky enough to be in Skynet's strike zones.  These secondary assignments are as straightforward as the primary missions of the T-800 and T-1000 Terminators of the first two films, and time is literally on the machines' side.  When all of history becomes a war zone, nowhere and no time are safe.

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  The Terminator Volume 1, Issue #1 is the latest, but it is not the first Terminator comic book that I have read.

The spirit and creativity of James Cameron and his creation, the Terminator franchise, hang over this first issue of The Terminator Volume 1, and that will certainly be the case throughout this particular series run.  This new comic book launches itself off the events depicted in the original film, The Terminator (1984) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), both co-written and directed by Cameron.  I have to give writer Declan Shalvey credit; this first issue is a page-turning read that introduces this series central conceit.  Judging by the first issue, I think Shalvey will offer some fun issues.

The art team of Luke Sparrow and Colin Craker present a small press aesthetic with a simplicity that deftly conveys the sense of fear and dread that hangs over any narrative about Terminators hunting people.  The violent action is straightforward and brutal and is effective without any illustrative theatrics.  Harper and Penny's plight seems genuine and consequential.  Colin Craker's colors even give the story a dark future mode and mood, while Jeff Eckleberry's clean lettering effectively delivers the sparse dialogue and exposition that Shalvey efficiently offers in this opening issue.

In addition to the main story, there is a back-up story, entitled “Buried Alive,” that introduces itself with a two-page opener.  It is not as if “Out of Time” is not good enough, but this first issue offers an exciting teaser for a second serial.  I gotta say, dear readers, that my initial skepticism, though light, was a thing.  After this first issue, it's no longer a thing, so you should read this first issue... at least.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of The Terminator franchise will want to read The Terminator Volume 1.

A

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

"The Terminator #1" is reprinted in the collection THE TERMINATOR VOL. 1: OUT OF TIME, which is available in hardcover and paperback editions at Amazon.
 
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The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

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