#IReadsYou Review: HASS #2

HASS #2
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER/CREATOR: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ARTIST: Federico Santagati
COLORS: Alivon Ortiz
LETTERS: Krugos
MISC. ART: Cesar Grego
COVERS: Federico Santagati
32pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. (2019)

Hass is a racial drama and crime thriller comic book miniseries from Approbation Comics.  Hass #1 was first published in 2013, and it went on to earn two 2014 Glyph Comics Award nominations (“Best Cover” and “Best Writer”).

Hass is the story of Joshua “Josh” Jones, a freshman attending a college “deep in the heart of Texas.”  First day on campus, Josh falls in love with fellow student, Maggie Stewart, but he has to work hard to get Maggie to give him a chance at romance.  He will have to work even harder to confront the racism and the violence that his courtship of Maggie ignites.

Hass is written and created by B. Alex Thompson and is drawn by Federico Santagati.  Colorist Alivón Ortiz and letterer Krugos join the creative team for the second issue.

Hass #2 opens twelve hours after the incident that ended the first issue.  Josh is dealing with the terrible injury visited upon his body.  Neo-Nazi associates of Maggie tattooed a Nazi swastika on the left side of his chest.  Josh, furious with Maggie and no longer trusting her, sends her away.

Now, he plots revenge against his attackers, but what will he do when he meets the Neo-Nazis:  Cole (the leader), Rocky (or “Shamrock”), Vargas, Gavin, and Sharky?  What Josh ends up doing shocks even himself!

THE LOWDOWN:  The back cover copy of Hass #2, like the back cover of the first issue, describes Hass as “William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet meets American History X” (the 1998 film).  I think such a description makes for the kind of cover copy that can sell a comic book to curious readers.

So far, the first two issues of Hass offer some of B. Alex Thompson's (Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies) best writing.  I prefer to describe Thompson's writing and Hass in general in bold strokes.  It is bold, visionary, daring, ballsy, and shameless.  It is also a pure joy to read.  In comic books like Hass, Thompson goes against the grain in writing a comic books in a manner similar to what British comic book writers like Alan Moore, Garth Ennis, and Warren Ellis did.

I do not want to spoil Hass #2, but I can say that this is the kind of comic book that DC Comics wishes it could publish through it “DC Black Label” imprint.  Hass is the kind of comic book DC's now-castrated Vertigo Comics imprint would have published.  Anyone who reads it will see that it is the kind of “mature readers” comic book that will cause a sensation and an urge to get copies in the way that Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's Preacher did a quarter-century ago.

Underneath some beautiful cover art, artist Federico Santagati turns Thompson's bold vision into some powerful graphical storytelling.  Santagati's dynamic and unconventional compositions are perfect for this unorthodox comic book.  As usual, Alivón Ortiz's color accentuates the story and captivates the imagination.  Krugos' lettering captures the subversiveness of this narrative and gives the story a rapid fire pace.  Yes, indeed; kudos to this creative team for making Hass #2 a grand winner.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers looking for bold comic book storytelling will want Hass.

10 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/ApproBAT
http://alexthompsonwriter.com/
https://www.comixology.com/Approbation-Comics/comics-publisher/7396-0
www.ApprobationComics.com

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

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#IReadsYou Review: SURFACING #3

SURFACING #3 (OF 3)
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Nenad Cviticanin
COLORS: Santtos
LETTERS: Krugos
EDITOR: John Ward and Denise Thompson
COVER/BACK COVER: Cesar Grego and Alivon Ortiz
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. / $1.99 digital-comic (2018; digital release date – November 7, 2018)

Rated: “M” for Mature / 17+ Only (comiXology)

“A Promise of Home”

Surfacing is a three-issue comic book miniseries published by Approbation Comics.  Surfacing is a horror anthology, with each issue offering a different story based on a similar theme – a violent encounter with mermaid-like creatures (which are the subject of the four-issue miniseries, Surfacing: Depth Perceptions).  Surfacing is written by B. Alex Thompson; drawn by Nenad Cviticanin; colored by Santtos; and lettered by Krugos, with gorgeous cover art drawn by Cesar Grego and Alivon Ortiz.

Surfacing #3 (“A Promise of Home”) opens somewhere in the American West, sometime in the 1800s.  There and then, we meet Bennet Ramirez, Amos Parker, Kit Taylor, Zeke Breen, Elijah Hart, and Jasper Doolin.  They are a roving gang of armed stagecoach robbers.  After their latest... successful campaign they visit a small wild west town to cash in on their loot.

It seems that a traveling circus has also set up in that town, and Kit Taylor, considered a bit sanctimonious by some of his lot, visits the circus.  There, he discovers a wondrous and captivating creature, a being that will decide Kit's fate and that of his fellow thieves.

When I first prepared to read Surfacing #2, I did not know what to expect of it, especially after I had enjoyed Surfacing: Depth Perceptions so very much.  It turned out that I thoroughly enjoyed Surfacing #2, which was and is a truly exceptional single-issue comic book story.

Surfacing reminds me of dark fantasy anthology series like the classic  “The Twilight Zone” (1959 to 1964) and the 1980s “Tales from the Darkside.”  Both series feature stories set in the present, as well as in the past and the future.  Surfacing #3's “A Promise of Home” is set in the “Wild West” that is familiar to audiences via American “Western” films.

However, at its heart is a timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, in which the author somewhat downplays the fantasy and the horror fiction aspects of the story.  B. Alex Thompson, as he has done in some of his other anthology work (like his Amour series), depicts real human emotions and feelings in a fantastic setting and allows the humanity to dominate.

Artist Nenad Cviticanin delivers lovely art and excellent storytelling. Cviticanin's clean, “clear-line” style is evocative and focuses in on the most important aspects of the story.  He depicts the “American West” in a way that is recognizable to readers, but he saves his storytelling prowess for a truly powerful ending, with its love-at-first-sight angle.  The coloring by Santtos captures the strength of the story with subtlety and grace, and Krugos' lettering is gentle and effective.

Of course, I am crazy about the cover illustration by artists Cesar Grego and Alivon Ortiz, and I'd like to see more of their work.  Surfacing #3 makes me wish Thompson would produce more Surfacing, especially with this exceptional group of collaborators.

9 out of 10

Buy Surfacing #3 at comiXology.

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

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


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

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#IReadsYou Review: CHAOS CAMPUS: Extra Credit #7

CHAOS CAMPUS: EXTRA CREDIT No. 7
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Ricardo Mendez
COLORS: Alivon Ortiz
LETTERS: Krugos
EDITORS: B. Alex Thompson and John P. Ward
COVER: Ricardo Mendez (2017 Monterey Comic Con Convention Exclusive cover)
32pp, Color, $9.99 U.S./.99¢ digital-comic (2017; digital release date – April 12, 2017)

Rated: Teen 13+ / 15+ Only – comiXology rating

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies created by B. Alex Thompson

“The NecroMager”

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is a zombie apocalypse comic book series that mixes in elements of comedy, horror, and adventure.  The creation of B. Alex Thompson, Chaos Campus is published by Thompson's company, Approbation Comics.  Chaos Chaos is set during a zombie invasion and follows the adventures of three members of the sorority, Epsilon Alpha Zeta Upsilon (EAZY):  ass-kickin’ Jamie Lynn Schaeffer, brainy and magic-wielding Paige Helena Patton, and sexy Brittany Ann Miller.

Thompson is also producing a Chaos Campus side series, Chaos Campus: Extra Credit, which offers readers something “extra,” but (apparently) in continuity to the main series.  Thompson also releases a “convention exclusive” variant cover edition of Extra Credit.  Thompson recently provided me a copy-for-review of Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #7 – Convention Exclusive 2017 (for the Monterey Comic Con).

Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #7 opens in the middle of Paige's funky dream that finds her in a too-revealing swimsuit, in a situation of submission and humiliation, and in a meeting the mysterious Locus.  Back in the waking world, Paige reunites with Jamie and Paige and also with the ongoing battle against the “Neo-Zombies.”

There are also some new complications.  Jamie makes a shocking announcement.  A killing machine named “Denvey” joins the fray.  Locus is real, and she has friend named “Spook.”  And a friend, Brian, turns out to be a budding magic-baddie and a total frickin' asshole and ass-wipe.

As usual, I enjoy whatever Chaos Campus comic book I read.  Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #7 does not have the dramatic (or humorous) chops of the regular series, but it is wacky, offbeat, and gleefully gruesome.  I enjoyed the guest characters:  Locus, Spook, and Denvey, which are the property of comic book creator, Adam Black.

The art by Ricardo Mendez is quite nice.  What he lacks as an experienced draftsman, Mendez makes up with imaginative illustrations.  To me, Mendez feels like a natural at comic book storytelling.  As usual, Alivon Ortiz delivers strong coloring, this time conveying the chaotic situation of this issue.  Letterer, Krugos, gets the most out of “sound effects,” especially “Budda Budda” for gunfire.

So, for those who can't get enough zombie education from Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies, you'll get schooled in the ways of necromancy and backstabbing in Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #7.  You, dear reader, can even get this “Extra Credit” from comiXology.

7.5 out of 10

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

Buy Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #7 at comiXology.

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com
Visit Adam Black and Locus Comics at http://locuscomics.com/


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

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#IReadsYou Review: SURFACING #2

SURFACING No. 2 (OF 3)
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Nenad Cviticanin
COLORS: Santtos
LETTERS: Krugos
EDITOR: John Ward and Denise Thompson
COVER/BACK COVER: Cesar Grego and Alivon Ortiz
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. / $1.99 digital-comic (2018; digital release date – October 31, 2018)

Rated: “M” for Mature / 17+ Only (comiXology)

Surfacing: Depth Perceptions is a four-issue science fiction and horror comic book that focuses on the drama and conflict that plays out between two friends and a mermaid at a oceanic research facility.  Before that series, there is an earlier comic book, simply entitled Surfacing, which is also published by Approbation Comics

Surfacing is a three-issue comic book miniseries, and it is written by Approbation Comics' mastermind B. Alex Thompson.  Surfacing is a horror anthology, with each issue apparently offering a different story based on a similar theme – a violent encounter with a mermaid-like creature.  Like Surfacing: Depth Perceptions, Surfacing is written by B. Alex Thompson; drawn by Nenad Cviticanin; colored by Santtos; and lettered by Krugos, with gorgeous cover art drawn by Cesar Grego and Alivon Ortiz.

Surfacing #2 opens on a rural highway in the state of Michigan, circa 1970s.  A young woman named Daisy is hitchhiking when she hops a ride with four friends:  Mary and her boyfriend, Justin, and Mary's best friend, Lisa, and Justin's best friend, Bobby.  The quintet stops at a small gas station and grocery store, where the elderly proprietor warns them against going “upriver,” where these young people plan to enjoy some swimming.  Of course, they ignore him; of course, they suffer dearly for it.

I did not know what to expect of Surfacing, especially after I so enjoyed Surfacing: Depth Perceptions.  It turned out that I thoroughly enjoyed Surfacing #2, which reminds me of dark fantasy anthology series like the classic  “The Twilight Zone” (1959 to 1964) and the 1980s “Tales from the Darkside.”  Damn, once again, B. Alex Thompson, one of my “Top 5” comic book writers, kills it.  I had a blast reading this comic book.  In fact, I think Thompson would have made a better choice than Stephen King's brat, Joe Hill, to write TNT's planned “Tales from the Darkside” reboot, which ultimately went nowhere, of course.

Once again, artist Nenad Cviticanin delivers lovely art and excellent storytelling.  Cviticanin's clean drawing style seamlessly moves from character interplay to kinetic action to horror fully realized.  This is like a teen slasher movie with a sprinkle of the classic film, Jaws.  The coloring by Santtos is equally smooth, but also consistent.  Every page, regardless of the action, has the same color scheme, which helps the transition from the tension of slow boil to blood-letting intensity creep up on the reader.

As they did for Surfacing: Depth Perception, artists Cesar Grego and Alivon Ortiz draw fantastic cover art for Surfacing.  The front cover offers a striking layout design, and the back cover art captures the fun of summer, but drops in the premonition of summer camp doom.

Yes, I'm going there:  Surfacing rises to the top!

9 out of 10

Buy Surfacing #2 at comiXology.

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

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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Review: HELLBOURNE #1

HELLBOURNE No. 1
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Rowel Roque and Jethro Morales
COLORS: Ronson Edulan
LETTERS: Krugos
EDITORS: John P. Ward and Denise Thompson
COVER: Jethro Morales with Alivón Ortíx
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. / $1.99 U.S. comiXology; (2017; digital release date – June 14, 2017)

Rated: “M” for Mature / 17+ Only – comiXology rating

Hellbourne is an action and horror comic book series.  It is created by B. Alex Thompson and is published by his company, Approbation Comics.  The series focuses on the violence and chaos that ensue when demonic creatures emerge from a large hole in the middle of an urban highway.  The first issue is written by B. Alex Thompson; drawn by Rowel Roque and Jethro Morales; colored by Ronson Edulan; and lettered by Krugos.

Hellbourne #1 opens in an unnamed city, where, on a major highway, there is an enormous hole.  No one knows what caused this hole, but city workers investigating the hole become snacks for the creatures that emerge.  It seems that Earth is about to turned into Abaddon, the Tenth Circle of Hell.

Now, an angel and a demon, both leading their respective charges, find that being on Earth gives each of them that familiar feeling.  Even the U.S. Army has difficulty fighting this demonic invasion.  And how do Justin Foster and his younger sister, Amber, fit into all this?

First, I have to say that I really like the art team of Rowel Roque and Jethro Morales.  This duo's Hellbourne work is quite polished, and they could certainly draw for one of Diamond Distributors' premiere publishers.  Their storytelling here is good, and Ronson Edulan's pretty coloring creates shifting moods and changes in atmosphere that heighten the drama of the story.

I am intrigued by the premise B. Alex Thompson offers in Hellbourne.  However, as always, his vibrant character writing makes this worth reading.  Thompson has been writing bold, non-super-powered female characters for two decades, but because Thompson is not a fan-favorite comic book writer, he does not get credit for that.  Still, the proof is in his delicious flavors of Approbation pudding.

Well, Hellbourne is a good place to discover Thompson's engaging characters.  And there looks to be some excellent hell-born hellraisin' fun to be had with this series.

8.5 out of 10

Buy Hellbourne #1 at comiXology.

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

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 or syndication rights and fees.

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