Showing posts with label David Avallone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Avallone. Show all posts

Thursday, September 5, 2024

#IReadsYou Review: ELVIRA Meets Vincent Price #3

ELVIRA MEETS VINCENT PRICE #3
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone
ART: Juan Samu
COLORS: Walter Pereya
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito with Elizabeth Sharland
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Dave Acosta
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dave Acosta; Juan Samu; Anthony Marques and J. Bone
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2021)

Rated Teen+

Chapter Three: “Raiders of the Lost Schlock”


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, which ran for eleven issues and one special issue (1987).  Eclipse Comics and Claypool Comics began the long-running Elvira: Mistress of the Dark from 1993 to 2007.  In 2018, Elvira returned to comic books via Dynamite Entertainment in the four-issue comic book miniseries, Elvira Mistress of the Dark, that actually ran for 12 issues.

Vincent Price (1911–1993) was an American actor and a legendary movie star.  Price was and still is best known for his performances in horror films, although his career spanned other genres.  Price appeared in more than 100 films, but he also performed on television, the stage, and on radio.  Thus, he has two stars on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame,” one for motion pictures and one for television.

Elvira and Vincent Price team up for the first time in the comic book miniseries, Elvira Meets Vincent Price.  The series is written by David Avallone; drawn by Juan Samu; colored by Walter Pereyra; and lettered by Taylor Esposito with Elizabeth Sharland.  The series finds Elvira and Price searching for a long-lost cult movie, “Rise of the Ram,” because it contains an incantation that can save the world from destruction at the hands of the ancient Egyptian god, Amun-Ra.

As Elvira Meets Vincent Price #3 (“Raiders of the Lost Schlock”) opens, Elvira and Vincent travel to Cairo, Egypt in hopes of finding the one person who could still have a copy of “Rise of the Ram,” the film's screenwriter, Ahmed Alhazred.  Our ghoulish duo finds him at “The Pyramid Fields of Abu Sir,” conducting tours and doing archaeological work.  Elvira and Vincent get lucky, as Ahmed has even more good news for them about The Books of the End of All Things, a scroll that has suddenly become an important part of Elvira and Vincent's quest.

However, they are unaware that they are being stalked by the “Sons of the Desert.”  Even if they avoid that trouble, their main adversary is about to make her big appearance.

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Elvira Meets Vincent Price #3, which is the third issue of the series that I have read and one of many Dynamite Elvira comic books that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

I have been a fan of writer David Avallone's Elvira comic books for a few years now.  Once again, an issue of Elvira Meets Vincent Price reminds me, if I need a reminder (which I don't), why I love these comic books so much.  In this third issue, Avallone gifts his readers a game of cat-and-mouse among the pyramids.  His script is filled with sparkling comedy, witty asides, and enough cultural references to make Quentin Tarantino jealous.  I should not forget the funny bit players and supporting characters like the “Sons of the Desert” who may be a riff on a kind of silent movie stock villain.

Talented Spanish artist, Juan Samu's graphical storytelling and art creates a comic book that recalls screwball comedies and Bob Hope and Bing Crosby with Dorothy Lamour.  Walter Pereya's painterly colors light up the story in living color.  The lettering, by Taylor Esposito with Elizabeth Sharland, creates a delightful pitter-patter of breezy comedy and endless charm.

I could read another 100 pages of Elvira Meets Vincent Price #3; I'm addicted.  Dear readers, don't deny yourself this cure for the pandemic-time blues.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Elvira and of Vincent Price and of David Avallone's Elvira comic books will want to read Elvira Meets Vincent Price.

A

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


https://twitter.com/DAvallone
https://twitter.com/Juansamuart
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


The text is copyright © 2021 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, April 30, 2024

I Reads You Juniors: April 2024 - UPDATE #64

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).

NEWS:

DC STUDIOS - From TheWrap:  Actress Neva Howell will play "Ma Kent" in James Gunn's film, "Superman" for Warner Bros./DC Studios.

From TheWrap:  Emmy-winning actor, Emmy-winning actor, Pruitt Taylor Vance, will play "Pa Kent" in James Gunn's film, "Superman" (formerly "Superman: Legacy") for Warner Bros./DC Studios.

IMAGE - From BleedingCoolImage Comics will collect writer Warren Ellis and artist J.H. Williams' six-issue series, "Desolation Jones" (2005-07), in a remastered hardcover volume, entitled "Desolation Jones: The Biohazard Edition."

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCoolJames Robinson launches a new creator-owned line at Dark Horse Comics, beginning with the comic book, "Patra," with artist Scott Kolins in August 2024

WEBCOMICS - From THR:  The hit Webtoon webcomic, "Freaking Romance," will be adapted as a live-action film.  The developers are Robert Kirkman's Skybound Entertainment and Wattpad Webtoon Studios, the screen-based division of Webtoon Entertainment.

MARVEL - From BleedingCoolElektra is Daredevil in the four-issue limited series, "Daredevil: Woman Without Fear."  First issue arrives July 17th, 2024.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCoolDC Comics is launching its own version of Marvel Comics' "Ultimate Comics."  The line is called "Absolute Comics" and its overseer is writer Scott Snyder.  More information about the line is expected at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 (July 25th to 28th).

From BleedingCool:  More information and some clarifications about "Absolute Comics."

From THR:  Writer James Tynion IV has written a sequel to his 2021 hit miniseries, "The Nice House by the Lake."  The first issue of the "The Nice House by the Sea" arrives July 24th, 2024.

From DCBlog:  Writer Joshua Williamson talks about DC Comics' next big crossover event, "House of Brainiac."  The event kicked off in "Action Comics #1064," which arrived in comic shops April 10th.

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IDW TO FILM - From THRParamount Pictures is developing an R-rated live-action movie based on the the comic book miniseries, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin" (IDW Publishing, 2020-22).

RPG - From ICv2:  Comic book writers David Avallone and David Walker will be among the writers on Magnetic Press' "Planet of the Apes Role-Playing Game" that is being overseen by Andrew E.C. Gaska.  Gaska's work includes the "Terminator RPG" and the "Alien RPG," as well as two "Planet of the Apes" novels.

EN MEMORIAM - From ComicBook:  Author, cartoonist, and comic book writer, artist, and editor, Trina Robbins, has died at the age of 85, Wednesday, April 10, 2024.  Robbins was an early participant in the Underground Comics movement.  She cofounded such Underground publications as "It Ain't Me, Babe Comics," "Wimmen's Comics."  Her best known mainstream work includes "Misty" (1985-86) for Marvel's "Star Comics" imprint and "The Legend of Wonder Woman" (1986) miniseries for DC Comics.  Robbins wrote over 10 non-fiction books about the history of women in American comics.

DC CINEMA/TRAILERS - From Deadline:  At CinemaCon 2024, Warner Bros. debuts the trailer for "Joker: Folie A Deux," which arrives in theaters Oct. 4, 2024.

EUROCOMICS TO FILM - From AnimationMagazine:  French actor-filmmaker Mathieu Kassovitz ("La Haine," Gothika) is planning his "English-language passion project."  It is a live-action/animation feature titled "The Big War."  It would be an adaptation of the 1940s French graphic novel, "La bête est morte!" ("The Beast Is Dead") which was produced by French comics artist and cartoonist, Edmond-François Calvo, known as “The French Walt Disney,” with Victor Dancette and Jaquest Zimmermann providing scripts.  Kassovitz has been working on the script for this project for over 20 years with The Nightmare Before Christmas screenwriter, Caroline Thompson.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  In the wake of leaving IDW Publishing as "Special Projects Editor," Scott Dunbier has announced that he is starting his own comics publishing company.  Details will trickle out over the coming months with an official announcement as San Diego Comic-Con 2024.

FANTAGRAPHICS - From BleedingCoolFantagraphics Books will publish the 15th issue of the late Joe Matt's comic book series, "Peepshow."  Matt was working on "Peepshow #15" when he died at age 60 last year.  It's has been 17 years since the last issue of "Peepshow" was published.

DC/BOOKS - From DCBlog:  Author Rachel Allen shares an excerpt from her upcoming YA novel, "Harley Quinn: Redemption," which is due in bookstores April 23, 2024.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Tom King and artist Mitch Gerads talk about their creative partnership, from Vertigo's "The Sheriff of Babylon" to the recent collection, "Batman: The Brave and the Bold Vol. 1: The Winning Card."

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:  Mike Mignola has revealed his new, folklore-inspired universe, "The Lands Unknown," which is separate from his "Hellboy" universe.  Dark Horse will publish "The Lands Unknown's" debut anthology, "Bowling With Corpses," in November.

IMAGE - From DeadlineMargot Robbie's production company, LuckyChap, is teaming up with director Olivia Wilde for a film based on Rob Liefeld's "Avengelyne" comic book.

From THR:  Comic book creator, Rob Liefeld, best known for creating "Deadpool" for his work on such titles as "New Mutants," "X-Force," and "Youngblood," will publish a memoir.  Entitled "Robservations," it will be published in early 2025.

DC STUDIOS - From DeadlineCraig Gillespie, who directed "Cruella" and "I, Tonya," is in talks to direct DC Studios' "Supergirl" movie.

DC TV - From VarietyNetflix debuts its trailer for "Dead Boy Detectives," a series spin off of its hit series, "The Sandman," which is currently in its second season.  The "Dead Boy Detectives" were created by writer Neil Gaiman and artist Matt Wagner and Malcolm Jones III and first appeared in "The Sandman #25" (DC Comics, April 1991).

DC CINEMA - From DeadlineWarner Bros. has released the first poster image for "Joker: Folie a Deux."  There is also a TikTok video with an audio clip from the film.  The first trailer is scheduled to arrive Tues., April 9th.  The film is due October 4, 2024.

From Variety:  "Joker: Folie a Deux" has received an "R" rating from the MPA (Motion Picture Association) for “some strong violence, language throughout, some sexuality and brief full nudity.”  The film, which will largely be a jukebox musical, is due in theaters Oct. 4th.

EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Cartoonist and comic book creator, Ed Piskor, has died at the age of 41, Monday, April 1, 2024.  Piskor first gained acclaim for his webcomic, "Hip Hop Family Tree," which Fantagraphics Books collected in book form and also as a comic book series.  For Marvel Comics, Piskor wrote and drew three "X-Men: Grand Design" miniseries, which chronicled the history of the X-Men in exacting detail, using a multitude of X-Men comic books as reference.  Fantagraphics had been publishing his webcomic, "Red Room," as a series of miniseries.

DYNAMITE - From YouTubeDynamite Entertainment has created a "trailer" for its upcoming "Space Ghost" comic book.  First issue is due in stores May 1, 2024.

CRIME - From BleedingCool:  Artist Marc Hempel and Mark Wheatley have discovered that decades of their original art, scripts, and production materials were stolen from their Insight Studios warehouse over a period of time.  Apparently, the original thief is deceased, and the stolen property was unknowingly sold as part of his estate.  Hempel and Wheatley discovered the theft when the stolen items began being openly auctioned online.

EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Veteran comic book artist, Mark D. Bright, has died at the age of 68, Wednesday, March 27, 2024.  Bright drew 22 of the 31 issues (200-231) of Marvel's "Iron Man," including the "Armor Wars" storyline.  For DC Comics, he drew the "Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn" (1989-90) and "Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II" (1991) miniseries.  He may be best known for creating the "Quantum & Woody" for Acclaim Comics in 1997.  Bright drew 17 of the 18 issues of the original "Quantum & Woody" comic book series (1997-97).  In his later career, Bright was a storyboard artist who worked in film, television, and TV commercials.

IDW - From BleedingCoolIDW "Special Projects Editor" Scott Dunbier has confirmed the news tha the is leaving the company.  His last day is Fri., April 5th.  He will announce his next move Mon., April 8th.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:  Now that Mark Millar has moved his Millarworld imprint to Dark Horse Comics, he has announced its upcoming titles.  The new titles are "Nemesis Rogue's Gallery" (July 2024).  Other upcoming titles include "Prodigy: Slaves of Mars," "Night Club 2," "The Magic Order 5," and a final series of "Jupiter's Legacy."

IMAGE - From DynamicForces:  Writer David Avallone talks about his upcoming 12-issue comic book series, "Drawing Blood," which is being published by Image Comics.  Avallone wrote the series Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," who also contributes art to this new series.  "Drawing Blood #1" is scheduled to arrive in stores April 24th.

DC STUDIOS - From Deadline:   DC Studios co-boss, James Gunn, says that the studio will not greenlight "The Authority" movie until they have finished a script they are happy with.

MARVEL - From GamesRadarMarvel Comics is publishing a new "X-Men" miniseries that fills that gap between Fox's 1990s "X-Men" (1992-97) animated television series and the new Disney+ animated series, "X-Men '97."  The first issue is now on sale, and "X-Men '97 #1" is due April 10th.

BRITISH COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Gail Simone is helping revive 1970s British horror comic, "Misty," via a new anthology, "The Misty 2024 Special."  The comic is due in the U.K. sometime in July and likely in the U.S. sometime in August.

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MARCH 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC "Batman" comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dead Sky Publishing LLC for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  IPI Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel "X-Men" from Marvel Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel "Fall of the House of X" and "Rise of the Powers of X" from Marvel Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Massive/WhatNot for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000AD for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for March 2024

APRIL 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Billy Tucci for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blackbox Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Batman" titles for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' Superman's "House of Braniac" titles for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' Todd McFarlane titles for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Magma Comix for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  X-Men & Avengers crossover from Marvel for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  "The Fall of The House of X" and "The Rise of The Powers of X" from Marvel Comics for April 2024.
From BleedingCool:  Massive/WhatNot/Summerian for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for April 2024

MAY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day 2024 for May 4, 2024
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' Amanda Waller for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "House of Brainiac" for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Blood Hunt" crossovers for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "X-Men" for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Massive for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000AD for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for May 2024
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for May 2024

JUNE 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Absolute Power" for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Batman Family" for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dren Productions for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Todd McFarlane titles for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainement for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Blood Hunt" for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Penthouse for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000AD for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for June 2024
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for June 2024

JULY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Power" with Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Power" with Green Arrow & Green Lantern for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Batman" titles for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" titles for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Massive-Verse" titles for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Todd McFarlane's Spawn titles for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "James Cameron's 'Aliens' vs Marvel's Avengers" for July 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" for July 2024

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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

#IReadsYou Review: ELVIRA Meets Vincent Price #2

ELVIRA MEETS VINCENT PRICE #2
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone
ART: Juan Samu
COLORS: Walter Pereya
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito with Elizabeth Sharland
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Dave Acosta
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dave Acosta; Juan Samu; Anthony Marques and J. Bone
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2021)

Rated Teen+

Chapter Two: “Ankhs for the Mammaries”


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, which ran for eleven issues and one special issue (1987).  Eclipse Comics and Claypool Comics began the long-running Elvira: Mistress of the Dark from 1993 to 2007.  In 2018, Elvira returned to comic books via Dynamite Entertainment in the four-issue comic book miniseries, Elvira Mistress of the Dark, that actually ran for 12 issues.

Vincent Price (1911–1993) was an American actor and a legendary movie star.  Price was and still is best known for his performances in horror films, although his career spanned other genres.  Price appeared in more than 100 films, but he also performed on television, the stage, and on radio.  Thus, he has two stars on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame,” one for motion pictures and one for television.

Elvira and Vincent Price team up for the first time in the comic book miniseries, Elvira Meets Vincent Price.  The series is written by David Avallone; drawn by Juan Samu; colored by Walter Pereyra; and lettered by Taylor Esposito with Elizabeth Sharland.  The series finds Elvira and Price searching for a long-lost cult movie in order to save the world from the wrath of an awakened Egyptian god.

As Elvira Meets Vincent Price #2 opens, Vincent uses his ghostly wiles to save Elvira from a violent servant of Amun-Ra.  That's right.  That is just a taste of the Armageddon to come if Elvira and Vincent don't find the only surviving copy of the lost cult film, “Rise of the Ram.”  Price starred in the doomed, never-seen film, and now, it is time to start finding the rest of his collaborators on the film, who may know something about the whereabouts of Rise of the Ram.

So our heroic duo flies to England to find Richard “Rick” Rogue, the director of “Rise of the Ram,” and his wife, Claudia Antonelli, the Italian starlet who was Vincent's costar in the film.  But Rick and Claudia have their own problems, and Elvira is about to be the unwilling solution.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been a fan of writer David Avallone's Elvira comic books for a few years now.  Elvira Meets Vincent Price reminds me, if I need a reminder (which I don't), why I love these comic books so much.

After a cool first issue, Avallone delivers a script for the second issue that is so witty and sparkling that I wish I had a 100 pages more of it.  It's like “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” blended with the team of Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard in The Ghost Breakers (1940).

Talented Spanish artist, Juan Samu, who has drawn Marvel Action Black Panther and Transformers comics for IDW Publishing, creates storytelling that practically bleeds charm and coolness.  Samu may be creating the first graphical presentation of supernatural comedy and screwball antics every presented in comic book form.

Walter Pereya's colors capture the sparkle and ghostly chemistry in Avallone's script, while the lettering by Taylor Esposito and Elizabeth Sharland conveys the breezy pace of the story.  I'm having a blast reading Elvira Meets Vincent Price.  It is almost too good to be true how well this crossover works.  And yes, I already want a sequel.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Elvira and of Vincent Price and of David Avallone's Elvira comic books will want to read Elvira Meets Vincent Price.

A

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


https://twitter.com/DAvallone
https://twitter.com/Juansamuart
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


The text is copyright © 2021 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).


Wednesday, January 31, 2024

I Reads You Juniors: January 2024 - Update #62

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

DC COMICS - From BleedingCoolKatie Kubert is the new editor of DC Comics' monthly "Batman" comic book series.  Kubert is the granddaughter of the late comic book icon and legend, Joe Kubert, and the niece of the acclaimed artists, Adam Kubert and Andy Kubert.

DC STUDIOS - From THR:  "House of the Dragon" actress, Milly Alcock, will play "Supergirl/Kara Zor-El" in the planned DC Studios' film, "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow."  Alcock will appear in one or two DC projects before "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow."

COMICS TO FILM - From THR:  "2000 AD's long-running comics serial, "Rogue Trooper," is being adapted as a 3D animated film.  The voice cast will include Aneurin Barnard, Hayley Atwell, and Jack Lowden.  “Rogue Trooper” will be written and directed by Duncan Jones, whose credits include “Source Code” and “Warcraft.”  The film has wrapped principal photography at Rebellion Film Studios in the U.K. and is set to be finished next year.

DC GAMES - From YouTube:  There is a now a deluxe trailer for the upcoming video game, "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League."  The game is due Feb. 2nd, 2024 for the PSF, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

DC ANIMATED - From DCBlog:  DC Comics' legendary event maxi-series, "Crisis on Infinite Earths," is being adapted as three-part animated film series.  The producers talk about "Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part One."

DYNAMITE - From Dynamite:  Comics scribe David Avallone has a message for readers about his upcoming miniseries, "Elvira Meets H.P. Lovecraft."  First issue arrives Feb. 21st, 2024.

SONY SPIDER U - From ComicBook:  "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" has received a "Best Animated Feature" Oscar nomination at the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards.  The winners will be announced Sunday, March 10th, 2024.  The previous film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, won the "Best Animated Feature" Oscar.

CHARITY - From BleedingCool:  An update on the medical conditions and GoFundMe campaigns for comic books writers, Peter David and Brett Lewis.

EISNERS - From Popverse:  When submissions for the "2024 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards" officially opened earlier this month (Jan. 2024), there was a surprise. The slot for "Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism" was not included among this year's categories for awards. It has apparently been folded into another category.

ORIGINAL ART - From OrlandoWeekly:  The site has an article on the first ever "Original Art Expo," that is being held in Orlando, Florida Fri-to Sun, Jan. 26th-28th.  The event will occur at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel at Universal Orlando.  A number of big name artists will appear, including Amanda Conner, David Finch, Michael Golden, and Matt Wagner, to name a few.

DC GAMES - From YouTube:   There is a teaser trailer for the upcoming video game, "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League."  The game is due Feb. 2nd, 2024 for the PSF, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

IMAGE TO FILM - From YahooEntertainmentJason Mamoa, Emmy-winner Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad), and more react to actor Channing Tatum's announcement that he is bringing Sam Keith's cult comic book, "The Maxx," to the big screen.  Previously, "The Maxx" was a 13-episode animated television series for MTV in 1995.

BOOK BANS - From Boston:  New legislative bills in the Massachusetts' House and Senate would protect school librarians selections and reduce book selections in the state.

PUBLISHING - From Deadline:  "Sports Illustrated," the 70-year-old venerable sports news and features magazine, is probably dead.

CHARITY - From THR:  Via "Humble Bundle," writer Jimmy Palmiotti is offering hundreds of pages of his comics at a steeply discounted price.  The funds will go to the World Wildlife Fund.  One of the comics offered, "Back to Brooklyn," was being developed as a feature film by the late Oscar-nominated director, John Singleton, before he passed.

DYNAMITE - From YouTube:  Dynamite Entertainment has released a trailer for the comic book, "Vampirella #666," which is due in comic book shops Feb. 7th, 2024.

IMAGE - From YouTube:  Eisner Award-winning comics creator, Rob Guillory (Chew, Farmhand), now has a YouTube show.

ELFQUEST - From TeamElfquest:  "Elfquest" co-creator, Richard Pini, clarifies information on the planned "Elfquest" television animated drama from Wolfrider Productions and Modern Magic.

IDW - From BleedingCoolJason Aaron is apparently going to write IDW's new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" comic book, which is set to debut this coming summer.

ARCHIE - From PWArchie Comics Publisher and CEO, Jon Goldwater, talks about the future of the company in comic books, graphic novels, films, and television.

From BleedingCool:  According to the publisher of Archie Comics, Jon Goldwater, there will be a comic book in which the publisher's lead character, Archie Andrews, becomes a superhero.  To be published in 2024, the series will be serious superhero, not tongue-in-cheek like previous Archie superhero stories.

IMAGE - From BleedingCoolImage Comics co-founder, Jim Valentino, has been hospitalized with pneumonia.  Valentino is also a comics creator, ("normalman," Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy," and "Shadowhawk"), and as a publisher is know helping a number of creators at pivotal moments in their career, including Brian Michael Bendis, Michael Oeming, Nick Spencer, Robert Kirkman, and Jimmie Robinson, to name a few.

ELFQUEST - From Deadline: 20th Television Animation (a division of 20th Century Studios) has given a script commitment to "Elfquest," a one-hour animated drama series based on the epic fantasy adventure comic series created by Wendy and Richard Pini, which debuted in 1978.  The series will be from Rodney Rothman and Adam Rosenberg’s Modern Magic. Susan Hurwitz Arneson will pen the series adaptation and serve as showrunner and executive producer.

MANGA - From BleedingCoolTOKYOPOP is collecting the comic book series, "Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness - The Beginning" in a paperback graphic novel, debuting March 12th.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Writer-director David Ayer is so desperate for people to see HIS cut of the 2016 film, Suicide Squad, that he would settle for showing a one "funeral screening" of the film he says was "taken away" from him.

IMAGE COMICS TO TV - From Deadline:  Writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips' long-running crime comic book series, "Criminal," is headed to Prime Video, which has made a series order for it.  Amazon MGM Studios will produce "Criminal" with Brubaker and crime fiction author Jordan Harper acting as co-showrunners.

IDW - From THR:  IDW has announced that it has renewed its license with Paramount to continue producing comic books based on the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," which Paramount has owned since 2009.

COMICS TO TV - From Deadline:  "American Born Chinese," the streaming series adapated from Gene Luen Lang's graphic novel of the same title, has been cancelled by Disney+ after one season.

AI - From BleedingCool:  AI art-generator, MidJourney, has apparently appropriated the work of numberous artists known for their work in comic books. The list includes such luminaries as Brian Bolland, Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Frank Miller, Alex Toth, and Wally Wood, to name a few.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Greg Capullo's first project for Marvel Comics in over a decade is a new "Wolverine #1."

From BleedingCoolGreg Capullo teases his first work from Marvel Comics in over a decade.

From ComicBookMarvel Comics' "Timeless #1" teases the return of the "Guardians of the Galaxy."

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DECEMBER 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Bleeding Moon Comics LLC for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  CEX for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Hexagon Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "G.I. Joe" comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Spider-Man" and "Gang War" titles for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Star Wars" titles for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Massive for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment Inc. for December 2023
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for December 2023

JANUARY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios! for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Energon Universe for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Massive/Whatnot for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion 2000 AD for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for January 2024
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for January 2024

FEBRUARY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  1First Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "X-Men" titles for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Massive for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000AD for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  10 Ton Press for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for February 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for February 2024

MARCH 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC "Batman" comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dead Sky Publishing LLC for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  IPI Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel "X-Men" from Marvel Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel "Fall of the House of X" and "Rise of the Powers of X" from Marvel Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Massive/WhatNot for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000AD for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for March 2024
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for March 2024

APRIL 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Batman" titles for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' Superman's "House of Braniac" titles for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' Todd McFarlane titles for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  X-Men & Avengers crossover from Marvel for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  "The Fall of The House of X" and "The Rise of The Powers of X" from Marvel Comics for April 2024.
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for April 2024
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for April 2024

MAY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day 2024 for May 4, 2024


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Tuesday, January 2, 2024

#IReadsYou Review: ELVIRA Meets Vincent Price #1

ELVIRA MEETS VINCENT PRICE #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone
ART: Juan Samu
COLORS: Walter Pereya
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito with Elizabeth Sharland
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Dave Acosta
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dave Acosta; Juan Samu; John Royle
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Rated Teen+

Chapter One: “The Price is Right!”


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, which ran for eleven issues and one special issue (1987).  Eclipse Comics and Claypool Comics began the long-running Elvira: Mistress of the Dark from 1993 to 2007.  In 2018, Elvira returned to comic books via Dynamite Entertainment in the four-issue comic book miniseries, Elvira Mistress of the Dark, that actually ran for 12 issues.

Vincent Price (1911–1993) was an American actor and a legendary movie star.  Price was and still is best known for his performances in horror films, although his career spanned other genres.  Price appeared in more than 100 films, but he also performed on television, the stage, and on radio.  Thus, he has two stars on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame,” one for motion pictures and one for television.

Elvira and Vincent Price team up for the first time in the comic book miniseries, Elvira Meets Vincent Price.  The series is written by David Avallone; drawn by Juan Samu; colored by Walter Pereyra; and lettered by Taylor Esposito with Elizabeth Sharland.  The series finds Elvira and Vincent searching for a long-lost movie in order to save the world.

Elvira Meets Vincent Price #1 opens after the events depicted in Elvira: The Omega Ma'am.  [This is a Kickstarter comic book that shipped to campaign supporters the first quarter of this year.]  Elvira and her writing partner, Eddie Mezzogiorno, are in the offices of a powerful streaming service.  The duo is (desperately) pitching ideas for new “Elvira” television series with no luck.  In fact, things have been a bit dark of late for the “Mistress of the Dark,” with the possibility of darker still to come.

After a night of drinking, Elvira experiences an intense dream-vision in which her “favorite all-time movie star” – living or dead – appears.  It's the late, but still great Vincent Price!  He needs Elvira's help to find a lost movie of his, but this match made in cinematic-Hades seems to have the forces of darkness aligned against them.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been a fan of writer David Avallone's Elvira comic books for a few years now.  When Avallone is teamed with artist Dave Acosta, they deliver hugely-entertaining Elvira comic books; they are the “Misters of the Dark.”

For Elvira Meets Vincent Price, Avallone teams up with talented Spanish artist, Juan Samu, who has drawn Marvel Action Black Panther and Transformers comics for IDW Publishing.  Here, Samu's layouts and page designs deftly capture the wild mood swings of this first issue – from the banality of office spaces to the mirthful macabre of Elvira's dwellings and from the fever dreamscapes of Elvira to the crusty outback of the California film making industry.  Samu is also a man of a thousand facial expressions, as he is always conveying different character tempers and humors, panel per panel.  Walter Pereya's colors add a quality to the storytelling that is both lurid and dreamlike.

David Avallone's script is filled with sparkling and witty dialogue, the kind of which DC Comics' Harley Quinn comic books so desperately need.  Reading Avallone's dialogue for Vincent Price certainly made my imagination believe that Price was actually speaking.  The interplay of bold and plain text in the lettering by Taylor Esposito and Elizabeth Sharland balances the need for the script to be funny, and it also advances a plot.

So I encourage everyone looking for (really) funny macabre comedy to purchase and read Elvira Meets Vincent Price #1.  I want a sequel to this series, already.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Elvira and of Vincent Price and of David Avallone's Elvira comic books will want to read Elvira Meets Vincent Price.

A
9 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/DAvallone
https://twitter.com/Juansamuart
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


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Buy the Elvira Meets Vincent Price trade paperback collection here.


Wednesday, April 5, 2023

#IReadsYou Review: KOLCHAK THE NIGHT STALKER 50th Anniversary

KOLCHAK THE NIGHT STALKER 50TH ANNIVERSARY SOFTCOVER
MOONSTONE BOOKS

STORY: David Avallone; Jonathan Maberry; Peter David; R.C. Matheson; Kim Newman; Tim Waggoner; Steve Niles; Rodney Barnes; Gabriel Hardman; James Aquilone; Nancy A. Collins; James Chambers
ART: Julius Ohta; Marco Finnegan; J.K. Woodward; Paul McCaffrey; Clara Meath; Szymon Kudranski; Jonathan Marks Barravecchia; Gabriel Hardman; Colton Worley; Warwick Caldwell-Johnson;
COLORS: Zac Atkinson; Szymon Kudranski; Colton Worley; Warwick Caldwell-Johnson;
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano; Tom Napolitano with DC Hopkins
EDITOR: James Aquilone
COVER: Colton Worley
MISC. ART: Jerry Ordway with Zac Atkinson; J.K. Woodward; Dan Brereton
ISBN: 978-1-946346-14-8; paperback (October 21, 2022)
188pp, Color, $24.99 U.S.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel is a 188-page comic book anthology that celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the former ABC television series, “Kolchak: The Night Stalker.”  This graphic novel is edited by James Aquilone and published by Moonstone Books.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker” was a television series that blended horror, fantasy, and science fiction.  It aired on ABC during the 1974–1975 season for a total of 20 episodes.  The series was preceded by two ABC television movies, The Night Stalker (1972) and The Night Strangler (1973).

The TV series and two movies followed wire service reporter named Carl Kolchak, who was played by the late actor Darren McGavin (1922-2006).  Kolchak worked for the Chicago branch of the Independent News Service (INS), a small news wire service.  He often investigated mysterious crimes and events and they were usually caused by forces, creatures, monsters, entities, etc. that were of supernatural, science fiction, and/or fantastic origins.  Carl Kolchak was created by the late writer, Jeff Rice (1944-2015).

2022 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the debut of “The Night Stalker” TV movie (specifically January 18, 1972).  To commemorate that anniversary, editor and publisher, James Aquilone, launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for an anthology graphic novel telling all-new comics stories that would span Carl Kolchak's entire career as a reporter of the supernatural and as TV’s greatest monster-hunting reporter.

The result was a hugely successful campaign and the eventual release of Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel.  This special 188-page graphic novel is comprised of 12 all-new stories that chronicle the adventures of the intrepid Carl Kolchak from the 1930s to the early 2000s.

The stories are written by a stellar line-up of novelists, television writers, and comic book scribes.  The list includes David Avallone, Rodney Barnes, James Chambers, Nancy A. Collins, Peter David, Jonathan Maberry, and Steve Niles, to name a few.  The artists include Jonathan Marks Barravecchia, Szymon Kudranski, Paul McCaffrey, Julius Ohta, J.K. Woodard, and Colton Worley, to name a few.

THE LOWDOWN:  There is more than one edition of Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel, including one that will contain a series of prose stories featuring Carl Kolchak.  My review will be of the 188-page “Cover A” paperback edition that contains the 12 stories and a short illustration gallery of variant cover art.

First, allow me to gush, dear readers.  If Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel is not the best horror comics anthology of the 21st century that I have read, it is definitely in the top three.  I can't think of a better one that I've encountered over the last twenty-plus years.

It is bracketed by a fine opening story and a pitch-perfect closing story.  The opening tale, writer David Avallone and artist Julius Ohta's “The Funny Place,” introduces a young Carl Kolchak who is coming into his own.  Avallone does not make the mistake of doing what the film, Solo: A Star Wars Story,” did and show us the origins of every single habit for which television viewers and fans would come to know Kolchak.  I'd like to see Avallone and Ohta produce a YA graphic novel expansion of their take on young Carl Kolchak.  I know it likely won't happen, but a fanboy can dream...

The closing story, writer James Chambers and artist Paul McCaffrey's “The Last Byline,” is masterstroke as a concluding story in an anthology.  It recalls Kolchak's debut, The Night Stalker; is a summation of his work and motivation; and is a fitting end … with his boots on.

In between, the writers and artists introduce new spins on the adventures of Carl Kolchak, such as Nancy A. Collins' and Warwick Caldwell-Johnson's “The Sin Feeder” and Jonathan Maberry and Marco Finnegan's “The White Lady.”  Writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jonathan Marks Barravecchia summon the spirit of original “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” episode, “The Zombie,” with the superb “Voodoo Child.”  It is a timely rumination on the pervasive poverty of black and brown inner city neighborhoods and also police violence, with a seeding of George A. Romero's “Dead” films.

I actually cannot pick a personal favorite story from Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel because they are all so damn good.  “The Nest” by Tim Waggoner and Clara Meath may be the sweetest.  I unequivocally endorse Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel.  I think the version that I am reviewing costs $32 to purchase from James Aquilone's Monstrous Books website.  I am sure, dear readers, that some of you have spent much more on reading material that is not nearly as good as this book.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Carl Kolchak and of “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” will very much want Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel.

[This volume includes introductions by R.C. Matheson and James Rice.]

A+
10 out of 10

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


https://moonstonebooks.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MoonstoneBooks/


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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