#IReadsYou Review: BETTIE PAGE and the Alien Agenda Volume 6 #2

BETTIE PAGE AND THE ALIEN AGENDA VOLUME 6 #2
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Ani-Mia
ART: Celor
COLORS: Farah Nurmaliza
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Joseph Michael Linsner;
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Josh Burns; Stephane Roux, Jimmy Broxton, Ani-Mia; Celor; Ken Haeser
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2022)

Rated Teen+

Bettie Page (1923–2008) was an American model who gained notoriety in the 1950s for her pin-up photos.  She is still referred to has the “Queen of Pinups,” and her shoulder-to-armpit-length jet-black hair with its trademark bangs and her blue eyes have inspired generations of artists, illustrators and comic book artists.

In 2017, Dynamite Entertainment made Bettie Page the star of her own comic book miniseries.  The latest is Bettie Page and the Alien Agenda Volume 6.  It is written by Ani-Mia; drawn by Celor; colored by Farah Nurmaliza; and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual.  The series finds Bettie searching for answers concerning an alien conspiracy.

Bettie Page and the Alien Agenda Volume 6 #2 opens at the Saqqara Necropolis, Egypt.  Bettie and her team, Professor Sofia Villannueva and Kim Young-Ja, arrive via helicopter at the pyramid of Djoser.  There, they meet their guide, Reynolds, and his associates, Ahmed and Karim, who will provide protection during the journey inside the pyramid.

They will need it, as Djoser is filled with treasure and deadly traps.  But Bettie and company have to be here to find the clues that will take them to their next clue location … if they survive Djoser.

THE LOWDOWN:   In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  The latest is Bettie Page and the Alien Agenda Volume 6 #2, which is the fifth issue of a Dynamite Bettie Page comic book that I have read.

Writer Ani-Mia previously wrote the miniseries, Bettie Page and the Bigfoot Bandits, which I did not read.  Bettie Page and the Alien Agenda has an easy pace, but Ani-Mia uses that pace to trick readers.  This series is sedate until it turns to lightning and this issue as some explosive moments.

Celor's calm and smooth art belies the fierce nature of this series.  Celor captures the spirit of fictional grave robbers and treasure hunters like the beloved cinematic archaeologist, Henry “Indiana” Jones.  Celor draws a page turner – an irresistible page turner, and the best thing that colorist Farah Nurmaliza does is accentuate the mood while staying out of Celor's way.

Dear readers, if you are into the legends surrounding the Roswell crash, you may be interested in trying Bettie Page and the Alien Agenda.  I, for one, love this comic book.  I am ready for the third issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Bettie Page comic books will want to try Bettie Page and the Alien Agenda Volume 6.

A

★★★★½ out of 4 stars

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


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This comic book miniseries has a trade paperback collection, BETTIE PAGE: ALIEN AGENDA, and it is available at Amazon.

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#IReadsYou Review: FARMHAND #17

FARMHAND #17
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Rob Guillory

ART: Rob Guillory

COLORS: Jean-Francois Beaulieu

LETTERS: Kody Chamberlain

GRAPHIC DESIGN: Burt Durand

COVER: Rob Guillory

28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(May 2022)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Farmhand created by Rob Guillory

Chapter 17: “The Bridge”

Farmhand is a dark fantasy comic book series from comic book creator, Rob Guillory.  Guillory is also known for his award-winning tenure on the long-running comic book, Chew (Image Comics), with writer John Layman.  Farmhand is written and illustrated by Guillory; lettered by Kody Chamberlain (who also designed the Farmhand logo); and currently colored by Jean-Francois Beaulieu.

Set in and around Freetown, Louisiana, Farmhand focuses on the Jenkins family: Ezekiel “Zeke” Jenkins; his wife, Mae; their children, Abigail and Riley; Zeke's father, Jedidiah “Jed” Jenkins; and sister, Andrea (“Andy”).  Once upon a time, “Jenkins Family Farmaceutical Institute” used stem cell biotechnology to grow plant-based replacement human organs and tissue.  Once upon a time, transplant recipients saw this as a miracle.  Now, Zeke and the rest of the world see the miracle as a curse.

Farmhand #17 (“The Bridge”) opens with a wish it was once upon a time – a vision of what could have been.  But this is the world of the Jedidiah transgenic seed...  In this real world, Zeke and the family are living the trailer park life, and Zeke is feeling the full 12-year-old rage of his daughter, Abigail.  These are all the complications of a plague begun by his father's “science.”

At the institute, Zeke has to hear crazy theories from Walter Sparrow.  But the crazier words come from old Joe Thibodeaux, a man to whom Zeke gives a ride home.  By the end of the ride, Zeke will know some crazy shit – all of it about himself.

THE LOWDOWN:  In the two years since the publication of Farmhand #15, Rob Guillory may have used that time to really think about Farmhand.  Already a tight concept, it has returned, crazier and more inventive than ever.  Farmhand #16 revealed just how far off the moss-ridden rails this series had gone.  Readers were introduced to a world not ready for the post-apocalypse – not when the apocalypse, so green and pretty, was still happening.

Farmhand #17 reveals that even Guillory's collaborators are on that wacky weed.  Colorist Jean-Francois Beaulieu turns the colors of Farmhand nightmarish for Zeke's mind-numbing dreams and visions.  Then, he flushes the daytime world or “reality” in neon and dayglo-inspired inebriation.  With his lettering, Kody Chamberlain impossibly creates a volume for Farmhand – a mixture of fonts both ordinary and demonic.  In a way, Chamberlain is pumping up the volume to cacophony – all the better to “hear” the lunacy of this series.

With Farmhand, there is practically a surprise on every page.  Rob Guillory is pruning our expectations because it is actually a good thing not to know what to expect from your favorite comic books.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of dark fantasy fiction and of great comic books will want to be a Farmhand.

A+

10 out of 10

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


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"Farmhand #17" is collected in FARMHAND VOLUME 4: THE SEED, which is available at Amazon.

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#IReadsYou Review: RED SONJA Black White Red #6

RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED #6
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone; Shannon Watters; Bob Q
ART: Jonathan Lau; Ro Stein; Bob Q
COLORS: Kike J. Diaz; Ted Brandt; Bob Q
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry; Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Jae Lee
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Lesley Leirix Li; Jonathan Lau; Jae Lee; Saphire Nova (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2022)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Robert E. Howard

Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated: February 1973) saw the debut of a high fantasy, sword and sorcery heroine, Red Sonja.  Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), the creator of the character, Conan the Cimmerian.

In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring differing versions of the character.  One of those is Red Sonja Black White and Red, an anthology comic book featuring stories from well known comic book writers and artists, with the art presented in black, white, and red.

Red Sonja Black White and Red #6 is comprised of three stories.  The first is “The Daring Rescue of Prince Maximilian (Beloved of All the Peoples),” which is written by David Avallone; drawn by Jonathan Lau; colored by Kike J. Diaz; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  The second is “Morgona the Crimson,” which is written by Shannon Watters; drawn by Ro Stein; colored by Ted Brandt; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  The third is “The Giant,” which is written, drawn, and colored by Bob Q and lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

THE LOWDOWN:   In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Red Sonja Black White and Red #6, which is the fifth issue of the title that I have read.

“The Daring Rescue of Prince Maximilian (Beloved of All the Peoples)” by David Avallone, Jonathan Lau, Kike J. Diaz, and Jeff Eckleberry:
Envoys from the Kingdom of Levkoy have approached Red Sonja.  They offer gold if she can rescue their beloved Prince Maximilian from six brigands.  But things are not as they seem, and Red Sonja wonders if she should make a different, if not better deal.

Writer David Avallone offers a nice twist on the sword and sorcery mercenary tale with “The Daring Rescue of Prince Maximilian (Beloved of All the Peoples).”  The treat here, however, is Jonathan Lau's gorgeous art.  Not only does it recall classic Barry Windsor-Smith era and John Buscema era Conan the Barbarian, but Lau also offers inventive and eye-catching page design.

“Morgona the Crimson” by Shannon Watters, Ro Stein, Ted Brandt, and Jeff Eckleberry:
Red Sonja has recently discovered that when she rescues someone they thank her as … Morgona the Crimson!  And the people she helps are so grateful that they gift her food and livestock.  Who the hell is Morgona the Crimson?

Once upon a time, I would have ignored “Morgona the Crimson.”  Over the last three decades, however, I have heard so many horrible tales of identity theft (and also “unauthorized use of an access card) that this story resonates with me.  Shannon Watters' tale is timely and visceral, and Ro Stein's art captures both a sense of dark comedy and Sonja's frustration.  Plus, this tale has a gag cartoon quality that is hard to resist.

“The Giant” by Bob Q and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou:
A fortune teller warns Red Sonja of her demise if she takes on “the Guardian,” a giant that guards a crossing.  After her initial confrontation with the Guardian, Sonja wonders.

“The Giant” has nice art and a clever resolution.  I would like this story to be longer because I want to know what happens afterwards...

It is hard for me to pick a favorite story from the offerings in Red Sonja Black White and Red #6.  I'll call it a tie between “The Daring Rescue of Prince Maximilian (Beloved of All the Peoples)” and “Morgona the Crimson.”

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja will want to try Red Sonja Black White and Red.

A

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

You can find these stories and more in the hardcover trade collection, RED SONJA: BLACK, WHITE, RED VOL. 2, which is available at Amazon.

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#IReadsYou Review: RONIN BOOK II #1

RONIN BOOK II #1

FRANK MILLER PRESENTS LLC

STORY: Frank Miller

LAYOUTS: Frank Miller

ART: Philip Tan and Daniel Henriques

LETTERS: John Workman

BOSSES: Frank Miller, Dan DiDio, and Silenn Thomas

COVER: Philip Tan and Daniel Henriques

VARIANT COVER: Frank Miller

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

Ronin created by Frank Miller

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

B-

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

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

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