#IReadsYou Review: DARKLING #1

DARKLING #1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Sarah Kuhn

ART: Carola Borelli

COLORS: Ellie Wright

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITOR: Jamie Lee Rotante

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Maria Laura Sanapo

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: David Mack

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2024); on sale in comic book shops November 22, 2023

Rating: Teen+

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character.  In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”

Archie Comics has also published superhero comic books.  Its most well-known superhero title followed the superhero team, “The Mighty Crusaders.”  The Mighty Crusaders title that was launched in the 1980s (cover dated: March 1983 to September 1985) ran for thirteen issues.  The Mighty Crusaders #4 (cover dated: November 1983) saw the debut of the new superhero character “Darla Lang/Darkling.”  The character was killed off in The Mighty Crusaders #11 (cover dated March 1985).

Darkling No. 1 brings Darla Lang/Darkling to modern comics.  This one-shot comic book is written by Sarah Kuhn; drawn by Carola Borelli; colored by Ellie Wright; and lettered by Jack Morelli.

Darkling #1 opens at Ivy Hollow University, which has a reputation for being haunted.  It is the witching hour, and Ivy Hollow student, Darla Lang, wants to connect with the supernatural world.  Darla hopes to find a way to free herself of the peculiar voluminous black cloak that has been attached to her since she was a baby.

During a stealthy, middle-of-the-night trip to Ivy Hollow Library, Darla meets fellow outcast student, Phoebe Hayashi.  A podcaster, Phoebe believes that she is on the trail of a creepy conspiracy involving missing students.  Will Darla find within the hallowed halls Ivy Hollow the answers to the questions about herself and her powers that she’s been seeking

THE LOWDOWN:   I have been reading comic books, on and off, for decades.  I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time.  For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  Darkling No. 1 is the latest.

After reading Darkling No. 1, I wish it were an ongoing series.  Writer Sarah Kuhn (Shadow of the Batgirl; Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story) offers a delightful mystery tale set in the “dark academia” genre (or immersed in the “dark academia” aesthetic, if you choose).  Kuhn offers a breezy story that is both a highly-entertaining stand alone tale and also the beginning of something beautiful in YA comic books if Archie decides to continue it.  It's a world in which many readers will want their imaginations to live, at least part time.

Carola Borelli's art and storytelling are engaging, even gripping at times.  Borelli captures the thrills, chills, and clique-ish ills of Kuhn's script in a way that brings the world of Ivy Hollow University to life with variety and vividness.  Ellie Wright's colors and color effects are the finishing touches to the magical beats of Darkling No. 1, with the great Jack Morelli's lettering giving this story the vibe of a comic book that is perfect for all readers.

Darkling No. 1 will probably be a delightful surprise to everyone, except the creative and editorial teams of this work.  Dear readers, let's make this new Darkling a regular comic book thing.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Archie Comics' superhero titles will want to try Darkling No. 1.

[This comic book includes a two-page section on the making of Darkling No. 1.]

A

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

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#IReadsYou Review: CREEPSHOW #1

CREEPSHOW #1 (OF 5)
IMAGE COMICS/Skybound

STORY: Chris Burnham; Paul Dini & Stephen Langford
ART: Chris Burnham; John McCrea
COLORS: Adriano Lucas; Mike Spicer
LETTERS: Pat Brosseau
EDITORS: Alex Antone and Jon Moisan
COVER: Chris Burnham with Adriano Lucas
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Declan Shalvey; Vance Kelly; Robert Hack; Bryan Silverbax; Ivan Tao; Felix Morales; Tone Rodriguez; Joseph Schmalke; Rob Csiki; Skan Srisuwan; John Giang; David Mack; Miguel Zapata; Chinh Potter; Tyler Kirkham; Tony Max; Steven Russel Black; Ciro Nieli; Casey Parsons
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (September 2022)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Creepshow is a new horror comic book anthology series from Image Comics.  It is a TV-tie in to the horror anthology television series, “Creepshow,” that currently streams on “Shudder” and later airs on the cable TV network, “AMC.”  Of course, both the comic book and TV series are descendants of the 1982 horror and comedy film, Creepshow, which was directed by the late George A. Romero and written by Stephen King.  Each issue of Creepshow the comic book will feature different creative teams with uniquely horrifying (and sometimes horrible) standalone stories.

Creephow #1 contains two stories.  The first is “Take One,” which is written and drawn by Chris Burnham and colored by Adriano Lucas.  The second story is “Shingo,” which is written by Paul Dini and Stephen Langford; drawn by John McCrea; and colored by Mike Spicer.  Both stories are lettered by the great Pat Brosseau.  Creepshow's horro host, “The Creep,” narrates the story.

THE LOWDOWN:  I'm going to summarize and review each story separately:

“Take One” by Burnham, Lucas, and Brosseau:
It's Halloween night.  Scaredy-cat Phil is wearing a poorly made mummy costume, and he is trick-or-treating with his asshole friends, Nate and Erik.  They come upon the house of the late Mr. Xander, who apparently died the way he treated his neighbors.  Well, although his house is dark, there is a bowl of full-size candy bars on the porch.  “Take One” says the sign in the bowl, so what will happen if Phil, Nate, and Erik help themselves to more?

I love Halloween stories – prose and comics.  That said, “Take One” is an embarrassment.  The punishment does not fit the crime, and the level of violence is neither comic horror nor scary horror.  I have enjoyed some of Burnham's work (Nameless, Secret Wars: E is for Extinction) in the past, but “Take One” is lame horror trying to pass for clever.

On the other hand, I have to admit that Burnham's art and Lucas' colors are nicely atmospheric.  Too bad it's wasted on a wack-ass story.

“Shingo” by Dini & Langford, McCrea, Spicer, and Brosseau:
As the story opens, Sandy Clark is angry, determined, and desperate to find a party entertainer for her daughter, Fiona's birthday party.  It looks as if Fiona's dad, Tom Clark, has also come up short.  Enter Shingo; he (or it) is the party entertainer with the appetite to make any party unforgettable.

After the fumble of “Take One,” I didn't expect much from “Shingo.”  I know that many consider Paul Dini a “legend” for his work on the 1990s animated TV series, “Batman” a.k.a. “Batman: The Animated Series.”  However, I find his comic book work to be hit or miss or miss or mediocre.  I don't know how the collaboration between Dini and Langford worked, but “Shingo” is brilliant.

It is everything that comic horror or horror comedy should be.  It's crazy, wacky, satirical, farcical, droll, and witty and also have an batty monster.  The title boogey is “Shingo,” who is like a gleefully mean-spirited blend of PBS's “Barney,” the purple dinosaur from PBS' long-running “Barney & Friends” TV series, and a mangy “Teletubby” (from the British PBS import TV series, “The Teletubbies”).  The ending and the final-girl-heroes are the double cherries on top.

Artist John McCrea, a master of blending the comic, the violent, and the horrifying, makes this story sing.  Other artists could make this story work, but not as well as McCrea, who also gets some perfect coloring from Mike Spicer.

“Shingo” saves Creepshow #1, and my grade for this issue reflects “Shingo” and not so much “Take One.”  I think “Shingo” has the potential to be a good horror movie in the vein of director Michael Dougherty's 2015 film, Krampus.  And I would be remiss if I didn't say that Pat Brosseau's lettering throughout this issue is outstanding.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic horror comic book anthologies will want to read Creepshow.

[This comic book includes an afterword by Greg Nicotero, the executive producer of Shudder's “Creepshow.”]

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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


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#IReadsYou Review: KILLADELPHIA #13

KILLADELPHIA #13
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Jason Shawn Alexander
COLORS: Luis Nct
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello
COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: David Mack
36pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(May 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Home is Where the Hatred Is” Part I: “Family First”

Killadelphia is an apocalyptic vampire and dark fantasy comic book series from writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jason Shawn Alexander and is published by Image Comics.  At the center of this series is a police officer caught in a lurid conspiracy in which vampires attempt to rule Philadelphia, “the City of Brotherly Love.”  Colorist Luis Nct and letterer Marshall Dillon complete Killadelphia's creative team.

Killadelphia focuses on James “Jim” Sangster, Jr., who comes home to Philly to deal with the final affairs of his recently murdered father, revered Philadelphia homicide detective, James Sangster, Sr.  Not dead, but undead, the father joins the son, the chief medical examiner (Jose Padilla), and a rebellious vampire to lead the battle that saves Philly from the vampires.  But that was just the first battle, and this is a war.

Killadelphia #13 (“Family First”) opens in Los Angeles, where another undead former President of the United States confesses his sins, announces his plans, and re-introduces his family.  Elsewhere, John Adams, our nation's second president finds that his wife, Abigail Adams, the vampire queen in control of legions, no longer needs him.  Philadelphia will fall at her feet.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the shocking events that closed the last issue, James, Sr. seeks help from Tevin Thompkins a.k.a. “See Saw,” but the young man is busy with his own revolution.  Will he help, or will the help come form an unexpected guest?

THE LOWDOWN:  Killadelphia begins its third story arc, “Home is Where the Hatred Is.”  After the pyrotechnics of the previous story arc, “Burn Baby Burn,” this new story line looks to focus on family – damned and otherwise.

It is not beyond my imagination to see a future where a few [Negroes] who provide quality entertainment could assimilate  …

Good one, Rodney!  Seriously, Killadelphia's scribe, Rodney Barnes, has managed to keep this series extra-fresh for over a year.  Dear readers, I have rarely had a chance to doubt this series, as Barnes' imagination presents vampire fiction that offers layers, subtext, and alternative views of much of the supernatural that defy the bonds and boundaries of vampire fiction.

The art team of illustrator Jason Shawn Alexander and colorist Luis Nct keep this series pumping the warm blood.  Alexander's daring and inventive compositions and Nct's hot coloring spurts hotter arterial fluids even when a vampire isn't biting.

Killadelphia #13 is a welcomed return.  One of the best horror comic books out today is back in black and red, and I highly recommend it.  I think you will like it.  I'd stake a vampire on it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of vampire comic books and of exceptional dark fantasy will want Killadelphia.


Killadelphia #13 has a backup feature:
“Elysium Gardens” Part 6 “The Wake of the Wind”

Created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

Story: Rodney Barnes
Art: Chris Mitten
Design: Sherard Jackson
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Edits: Greg Tumbarello

The back-up feature, “Elysium Gardens,” opens in Philadelphia, May 1st, 1985.  Angela/Zubiya and her pack of werewolves have arrived, looking for someone.  They have found their prey, Stregherian witch, Tituba, among the Black liberation group, M.O.V.E.  And Tituba has a history, or rather, her story to tell.

As he does with Killadelphia, writer Rodney Barnes makes “Elysium Gardens” both allegorical and metaphorical in the way he uses the brutality, savagery, barbarism, greed, and sin of white supremacy, racism, white colonialism, and white settler violence in the character, setting, and plot of his stories.

It is as if the spirits of the ancestors are guiding Barnes' hands.  Just over a month ago, media reports revealed that the remains of a child of M.O.V.E. were being used in a Princeton-back online forensic anthropology course – reportedly without the permission of her relatives.  Is it a coincidence that Barnes has introduced the organization into this narrative now?  I think not; the ancestors move in mysterious ways.

The art by Chris Mitten is a nice change of pace.  Mitten captures the emotions and the spirit that resides within the characters' eyes.  His graphical storytelling is good for “Elysium Gardens.”

A+
10 out of 10

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


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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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#IReadsYou Revew: HELLBOY AND THE BPRD: 1953: Beyond the Fences #1

HELLBOY AND THE B.P.R.D.: 1953 – BEYOND THE FENCES #1 (#8 in the series)
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson
PENCILS: Paolo Rivera
INKS: Joe Rivera
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Paolo Rivera
EDITOR: Scott Allie
VARIANT COVER: David Mack
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2016)

The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (also known as the B.P.R.D. or BPRD) is an organization that appears in the world of Mike Mignola's Hellboy character.  The BPRD is located in Fairfield, Connecticut and investigates the occult, paranormal, and supernatural and is charged with protecting America and the world from any of that which is dangerous.

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. is a series of miniseries that looks at the early years of Hellboy's association with the BPRD.  Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953 – Beyond the Fences chronicles Hellboy's second year with the organization.  This miniseries is written by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson; drawn by Paolo Rivera (pencils) and Joe Rivera (inks); colored by Dave Stewart; and lettered by Clem Robins.

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953 - Beyond the Fences #1 opens with Agent Susan Xiang having a session with Dr. N.K. Sandhu, psychiatric consultant to the BPRD.  The session is interrupted by Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, Director of the BPRD and Hellboy's surrogate father.  He is sending Hellboy, Xiang, and Agent Jacob Stegner to investigate the disappearance of several children in the suburban town of Rosemead, California.

The BPRD trio arrives to find the parents quite upset.  No one would expect children to disappear in such an idyllic small town as Rosemead.  After all, Rosemead is not one of those squalid urban slums into which Jim Crow and segregationist federal policy practically imprisoned African-Americans since early in the 20th century.  Now, that's where one would expect children to disappear, and no one would care, not even the mostly-white BPRD.  God knows that even the most imaginative fantasy writers cannot imagine a fucking fictional world where Black people were members of a paranormal organization.  Well, Asians were more acceptable than Negroes in the 1950s.

But I digress... Hellboy and his colleagues discover that there is much that is hidden about the disappearances.  This strange case may also be related to recent events that involve current members of the BPRD.

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953 - Beyond the Fences #1 is, like most first issues these days, mostly introduction with a smattering of narrative that seems like filler material.  I think this comic book is also like most BPRD comics – when it's good, it's quite good, but when it's mediocre, oh, well.

This first issue of Beyond the Fences intrigues me, but the pace is too easy going.  Even the stuff that is supposed to be exciting, thrilling, and scary comes across as white bread.  This first issue is about as smooth as an episode of “Leave It to Beaver.”

Speaking of white bread and beaver, artist Paolo Rivera offers a beautiful painted cover for this first issue.  It is an un-ironic, Hellboy-themed homage to the paintings of Norman Rockwell, the revered 20th century painter who conjured up an idyllic Middle America better than even Walt Disney.  Rivera offers interior art that is pretty on the surface, but blasé as storytelling.  I have to believe that this is a graphical set-up for the scary shit-storm that is to come.  I have to believe...

I really think that this series has potential.  It is hard to believe that there can be mediocre Hellboy, other than that first Hellboy movie

B

[This comic book contains a preview of Baltimore: Empty Graves by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden, Peter Bergting, and Dave Stewart.]

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


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

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#IReadsYou Review: AMERICAN GODS: The Moment of the Storm #1

AMERICAN GODS: THE MOMENT OF THE STORM No. 1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
SCRIPT: P. Craig Russell
LAYOUTS: P. Craig Russell
ART: Scott Hampton
COLORS: Scott Hampton and Jennifer T. Lange
LETTERS: Rick Parker
EDITOR: Daniel Chabon
COVER: Glenn Fabry with Adam Brown
VARIANT COVER: David Mack
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2019)

American Gods is a fantasy novel first published in 2001 and written by Neil Gaiman.  The novel won several fantasy-literary awards and has been developed into the current hit television series for the cable network, Starz Media.  American Gods blends Americana and also ancient and modern mythology to tell the story of a man caught in a war between the gods of the Old World and the new American gods.

American Gods is currently being adapted as a comic book series by frequent Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell, and publisher, Dark Horse Comics.  Russell is the guiding hand behind the American Gods comic book adaptation.  Russell writes the script adaptation of Gaiman's novel and provides the layouts for the artist.  American Gods the comic book is drawn and colored by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.

This comic book adaptation will yield 27 issues over three nine-issue series (or story arcs).  American Gods, the first series, ended late in 2017.  The second series, American Gods: My Ainsel, concluded at the end of 2018.  The final series is American Gods: The Moment of the Storm.

American Gods: The Moment of the Storm #1 opens in Minneapolis.  There, Shadow Moon, Czernobog, and Mr. Nancy meet Alviss, a dwarf, who provides them with a new mode of transportation.  The trio heads for “the Center” of the United States, near Lebanon, Kansas.  There, they will meet the people who killed Mr. Wednesday, and who now want to surrender his corpse.  The battle's just begun.

In my previous reviews of the American Gods comic book series, I have informed you, dear reader, that I am a big fan of American Gods the novel, although I did not read it upon its original release in 2001.  I read the American Gods:  Tenth Anniversary Edition (June 2011, William Morrow) which features a longer text and is the author, Neil Gaiman's preferred edition.  I also feel that I must admit that I loved that book, and that “love” is not a strong enough word in this case.  American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition is one of my favorite books, and I consider the reading of that edition of American Gods to be a life-changing event for me in terms of my life as a writer.

P. Craig Russell continues his excellent work, capturing both the details and spirit of American God's narrative through balance, knowing what text to retain and what to translate into illustrations.  He makes Shadow Moon really stand out and evolve.  He makes American Gods: The Moment of the Storm #1 as much a joy to read as the opening issues of the previous series.

Scott Hampton drawings and colors are more eccentric and ethereal than ever, but also quite solid in storytelling.  Still, Hampton infuses his art and storytelling with a sense of magic.  Letterer Rick Parker  hums along, capturing the magic with his stylish fonts and with the deftness in where he places exposition and word balloons.

As before, I implore you, dear readers, to set aside your four dollars each month so that you can buy this lovely comic book.  I still think that American Gods may end up being on the short list of great comic book adaptations of a prose novel.

8 out of 10

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


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


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NOV190292    DISNEY ALICE IN WONDERLAND STORY O/T MOVIE IN COMICS HC    $10.99
JAN200385    DISNEY PIXAR INCREDIBLES 2 SLOW BURN #2 (OF 3) CVR A VINCI (    $3.99
JAN200386    DISNEY PIXAR INCREDIBLES 2 SLOW BURN #2 (OF 3) CVR B KAWAII    $3.99
NOV190295    DISNEY PRINCESS FRIENDS FAMILY FANTASTIC TP    $10.99
JAN200360    ELFQUEST STARGAZERS HUNT #3 (OF 8)    $3.99
NOV190257    KABUKI OMNIBUS TP VOL 02    $29.99
NOV190287    MACHINE GUN WIZARDS TP    $19.99
NOV190286    NO ONE LEFT TO FIGHT TP    $19.99
NOV190276    STARCRAFT TP VOL 03 SOLDIERS    $19.99
JAN200380    TALES FROM HARROW COUNTY DEATHS CHOIR #4 (OF 4) CVR A FRANQU    $3.99
JAN200381    TALES FROM HARROW COUNTY DEATHS CHOIR #4 (OF 4) CVR B CROOK    $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 25 or 26, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT190333    FIGHT CLUB 3 #12 CVR A MACK (MR)    $3.99
OCT190334    FIGHT CLUB 3 #12 CVR B FEGREDO (MR)    $3.99
OCT190304    MASK I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MASK #3 (OF 4) CVR A REYNOLD    $3.99
OCT190305    MASK I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MASK #3 (OF 4) CVR B JOHNSON    $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 11, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT190293    ALIENS VS PREDATOR THICKER THAN BLOOD #1 (OF 4)    $3.99
APR190300    ART OF CONCRETE GENIE HC    $29.99
OCT190288    CRIMINAL MACABRE THE BIG BLEED OUT #1 (OF 4)    $3.99
OCT190371    DISNEY FROZEN TRUE TREASURE #2 (OF 3) CVR A PETROVICH    $3.99
OCT190372    DISNEY FROZEN TRUE TREASURE #2 (OF 3) CVR B KAWAII STUDIO (C    $3.99
AUG190267    EC ARCHIVES MODERN LOVE HC    $49.99
JUL190426    EMANON TP VOL 03 EMANON WANDERER    $14.99
OCT190299    ETHER DISAPPEARANCE OF VIOLET BELL #4 (OF 5) CVR A RUBIN    $3.99
OCT190300    ETHER DISAPPEARANCE OF VIOLET BELL #4 (OF 5) CVR B BRERETON    $3.99
AUG190326    GANTZ OMNIBUS TP VOL 04    $24.99
AUG190293    KABUKI OMNIBUS TP VOL 01    $29.99
OCT190325    STEEPLE #4 (OF 5) CVR A ALLISON    $3.99
OCT190326    STEEPLE #4 (OF 5) CVR B JOHNSON-CADWELL    $3.99
OCT190322    TRIAGE #4 (OF 5) CVR A SEVY    $3.99
OCT190323    TRIAGE #4 (OF 5) CVR B PATRIDGE    $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 27, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUN190342    AVATAR TSU TEYS PATH TP VOL 01    $19.99
JUL190433    BRAVEST WARRIORS 4 PACK MAGNET SET    $9.99
JUL190432    BRAVEST WARRIORS COASTER SET    $9.99
JUL190434    BRAVEST WARRIORS ENAMEL PIN SET    $14.99
JUL190435    BRAVEST WARRIORS MAGNET SET    $8.99
SEP190277    ETHER DISAPPEARANCE OF VIOLET BELL #3 (OF 5) CVR A RUBIN    $3.99
SEP190278    ETHER DISAPPEARANCE OF VIOLET BELL #3 (OF 5) CVR B THOMPSON    $3.99
SEP190273    FIGHT CLUB 3 #11 CVR A MACK (MR)    $3.99
SEP190274    FIGHT CLUB 3 #11 CVR B WILKERSON (MR)    $3.99
SEP190296    INVISIBLE KINGDOM #7 (MR)    $3.99
SEP190291    MACHINE GUN WIZARDS #4 (OF 4) CVR A WARD    $3.99
SEP190292    MACHINE GUN WIZARDS #4 (OF 4) CVR B WALTA    $3.99
JUL190353    STRANGER THINGS TP VOL 02 SIX    $17.99
JUL190346    UMBRELLA ACADEMY LIBRARY EDITION HC VOL 02 DALLAS    $39.99
JUL190404    WITCHFINDER OMNIBUS HC VOL 01    $34.99
SEP190254    WITCHFINDER REIGN OF DARKNESS #1 (OF 5)    $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 30, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUN190331    ALIENS DEFIANCE LIBRARY ED HC VOL 01    $49.99
JUL190412    COURAGEOUS PRINCESS TP VOL 01 BEYOND THE HUNDRED KINGDOMS (C    $14.99
JUN190336    DEPT H OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 DECOMPRESSED & LIFEBOAT    $24.99
AUG190307    DISNEY THE LITTLE MERMAID #1 (OF 3)    $3.99
AUG190301    ETHER DISAPPEARANCE OF VIOLET BELL #2 (OF 5) CVR A RUBIN    $3.99
AUG190302    ETHER DISAPPEARANCE OF VIOLET BELL #2 (OF 5) CVR B WALTA    $3.99
AUG190289    FIGHT CLUB 3 #10 CVR A MACK (MR)    $3.99
AUG190290    FIGHT CLUB 3 #10 CVR B FEGREDO (MR)    $3.99
AUG190275    HELLBOY & BPRD LONG NIGHT AT GOLOSKI STATION    $3.99
AUG190334    HELLBOY WRAPPING PAPER    $9.99
AUG190258    INVISIBLE KINGDOM #6 (MR)    $3.99
JUN190343    LAST STOP ON RED LINE #4 (OF 4)    $3.99
AUG190283    MANOR BLACK #4 (OF 4) CVR A CROOK    $3.99
AUG190284    MANOR BLACK #4 (OF 4) CVR B HENDERSON    $3.99
JUN190391    UMBRELLA ACADEMY HOTEL OBLIVION KEYCHAIN    $7.99
JUN190390    UMBRELLA ACADEMY KNIT HAT    $12.99
AUG190333    UMBRELLA ACADEMY WRAPPING PAPER    $9.99

Review: COVER #1

COVER No. 1
DC COMICS/Jinxworld – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: David Mack
COLORS: Zu Orzu
LETTERS: Carlos Mangual
EDITOR: Michael McCalister
COVER: David Mack
VARIANT COVERS: Zu Orzu
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2018)

Rated “M” for “Mature”

Cover created by Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack

Cover is a new comic book series from writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Mack, two of the most interesting comic book creators of the last two decades.  Through work on various Spider-Man titles, his creator-owned Powers, and other work, Bendis has proved to be an all-time great comic book writer.  Mack's striking illustrations, comic book graphics, and cover paintings mark him as a master of comics art.  Cover focuses on an indy comic book artist who finds himself drawn into the world of international espionage and intrigue.

Cover #1 opens in the middle of a hectic crowd scene at a comic book convention.  Max Field is just another independent comic book creator and artist hawking his wares from behind a convention table.  Out of nowhere, a mysterious (and apparently wealthy) fan appears before Max's table, praising his art.  She even spends a few thousand dollars buying original art from Max's comic book, “Ninja Sword Odyssey.”  This encounter and financial windfall will not be the last time Max meets the woman who might be his biggest fan, Julia.

I don't have much to say about Cover #1 (although I have been known to ramble even after saying this) because Bendis and Mack are, as I said above, masters.  Cover #1 is filled with Bendis' exquisite dialogue and his hypnotic narrative flow.  Every panel of this story is a drug that hooks the reader into going to the next panel in order to get his or her story fix.

Mack's illustrations tell an intoxicating graphical story; I would not expect less of him.  Zu Orzu's gorgeous digital coloring captures Mack's lovely way of drawing Julia's beautiful Black woman's face.  Carlos Mangual's lettering adds to the beauty of these graphics, and his word balloons create a kind of lyrical flow to Bendis' dialogue.

See.  The creative team is made up of masters of the medium and veteran heavy hitters.  The story may be a little far-fetched (or maybe not...), but when top creators produce something, it is worth a look.  Cover #1 is worthy of several looks.

9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE #1

THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
WRITERS: Simon “Si” Spurrier, Kat Howard, Nalo Hopkinson, and Dan Watters
ART: Bilquis Evely, Tom Fowler, Dominike “Domo” Stanton, Max Fiumara and Sebastian Fiumara
COLORS: Mat Lopes
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
EDITOR: Molly Mahan
COVER: Jae Lee with June Chung
VARIANT COVERS: Dave McKean; Jill Thompson; Jim Lee with Alex Sinclair; Sam Keith; P. Craig Russell with Lovern Kindzierski; David Mack
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2018)

“Suggested for Mature Readers”

The Sandman created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg

The Sandman is a DC Comics comic book series created by writer Neil Gaiman and artists Sam Keith and Mike Dringenberg.  Published by DC Comics from 1989 to 1996, The Sandman ran for 75 issues, and tells the story of “Dream” of “The Endless.”  Also named Morpheus (as well as other names), Dream rules over the world of dreams.

DC Comics announced earlier this year an expansion and quasi sequel to The Sandman, “The Sandman Universe.”  This will be a line of four comic books that will launch in September and October of 2018.  The release dates are timed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Sandman #1, which was covered dated January 1989, but released to comic book stores in October 1988.  It will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Vertigo imprint.

The Sandman Universe titles are a mixture of new and revived titles.  The first is The Dreaming (Sept. 5th), written by Simon “Si” Spurrier and drawn by Bilquis Evely.  The second is House of Whispers (Sept. 12), written by Nalo Hopkinson and drawn by Dominike “Domo” Stanton.  The third is Lucifer (October 17), written by Dan Watters and drawn by Max Fiumara and Sebastian Fiumara.  The fourth is Books of Magic (Oct. 24), written by Kat Howard and drawn by Tom Fowler.

These four titles are previewed in the stand-alone anthology comic book, The Sandman Universe #1.  Neil Gaiman provides the story for this single-issue comic book.  Simon Spurrier, Kat Howard, Nalo Hopkinson, and Dan Watters write the scripts for previews of the respective titles they are writing.  Bilquis Evely, Tom Fowler, Dominike “Domo” Stanton, and Max Fiumara and Sebastian Fiumara draw the art for the previews of the respective series they are drawing.  The Sandman Universe #1 is colored by Mat Lopes and lettered by Simon Bowland.

In The Sandman Universe #1, the denizens of The Dreaming discover that their master, the Lord of Dreams, is missing.  Now, Matthew the raven must traverse the realms and dreams of four characters:  Dora, Timothy Hunter, Erzulie (a voodoo deity), and Lucifer Morningstar (trapped in the body of an old man) to find Dream.  But does he want to be found?  What if he quit being Dream?

I enjoyed The Sandman Universe #1, but I would not call it an exceptional comic book.  It is a particularly well-produced preview comic book.  The best art, by far, in The Sandman Universe #1 is the work of Bilquis Evely, who is drawing The Dreaming, so I am putting this title on my reading list.

I want to try House of Whispers because I try to support Black writers of speculative and fantasy fiction, and the Jamaican-born, Canadian Hopkinson is a writer of color.  The House of Whispers preview in The Sandman Universe #1 is interesting and is the only truly unique offering in this comic book.  However, I must say that it did not quite connect with me the way I thought it would because of its various elements and ideas.

The Books of Magic preview did pique my interest; for obvious reasons, this is the closest thing to a Harry Potter comic book we likely will ever have.  I found the Lucifer preview to be a chore to read, taxing my patience for most of its six pages.

The Dreaming is both The Sandman Universe #1's framing sequence and the subject of a preview, which is good.  As I just wrote, Bilquis Evely's art is beautiful, and Evely's talent really shows on the killer last page she produces for this story.  As a preview of a line of comic books, The Sandman Universe #1 is as effective as it can be, but most of the effort is really up to the creative teams of the individual titles in the line.  I recommend this to readers interested in “The Sandman Universe” titles, but I doubt longtime fans of The Sandman comic book series will get much out of it.

7.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for October 9, 2019

DYNAMITE

JUN191209    BATTLESTAR GALACTICA CLASSIC COUNTERSTRIKE TP    $19.99
AUG191324    BATTLESTAR GALACTICA TWILIGHT COMMAND TP    $19.99
JUL191292    DEJAH THORIS GREEN MEN OF MARS OMNIBUS TP    $29.99
JUN191222    HACK SLASH VS CHAOS TP (MR)    $19.99
JUL191232    RED SONJA #8 CONNER VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
JUL191233    RED SONJA #8 LINSNER VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
JUL191240    RED SONJA BIRTH OF SHE DEVIL #4 PARILLO VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
JUL191250    RED SONJA VAMPIRELLA BETTY VERONICA #5 DALTON VIRGIN    $50.00
JUL191251    RED SONJA VAMPIRELLA BETTY VERONICA #5 VIRGIN STAGGS VAR    $50.00
AUG191235    VAMPIRELLA #1 LINSNER EXC CVR    $25.00
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JUL191264    VAMPIRELLA #3 CAMPBELL VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
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JUL191266    VAMPIRELLA #3 LTD ED SANJULIAN VAR    $19.69
AUG191340    VAMPIRELLA RED SONJA #2 CVR A LOTAY    $3.99
AUG191341    VAMPIRELLA RED SONJA #2 CVR B MACK    $3.99
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AUG191343    VAMPIRELLA RED SONJA #2 CVR D ROMERO & BELLAIRE    $3.99
AUG191344    VAMPIRELLA RED SONJA #2 CVR E MOSS THEN NOW    $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 25, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY190279    ALIENS RESCUE #3 (OF 4) CVR A DE LA TORRE    $3.99
MAY190280    ALIENS RESCUE #3 (OF 4) CVR B CHATER    $3.99
MAY190278    ART OF RAGE 2 HC    $39.99
MAY190290    BERSERK TP VOL 40    $14.99
MAY190263    DISNEY CHRISTMAS CAROL STARRING SCROOGE MCDUCK TP    $10.99
JUN190366    DISNEY FROZEN HERO WITHIN #3 (OF 3) KAWAII CREATIVE STUDIO (    $3.99
MAY190295    ELFEN LIED OMNIBUS TP VOL 02    $24.99
JUL190364    ETHER DISAPPEARANCE OF VIOLET BELL #1 (OF 5) CVR A RUBIN    $3.99
JUL190365    ETHER DISAPPEARANCE OF VIOLET BELL #1 (OF 5) CVR B AZACETA    $3.99
JUL190385    FIGHT CLUB 3 #9 CVR A MACK (MR)    $3.99
JUL190386    FIGHT CLUB 3 #9 CVR B MORRIS (MR)    $3.99
JUL190405    MANOR BLACK #3 (OF 4) CVR A CROOK    $3.99
JUL190406    MANOR BLACK #3 (OF 4) CVR B SMALLWOOD    $3.99
MAY190289    MS KOIZUMI LOVES RAMEN NOODLES TP VOL 01    $10.99
MAY190270    PLANTS VS ZOMBIES HC VOL 05 BOXED SET    $29.97
JUL190389    TOMMY GUN WIZARDS #2 (OF 4) CVR A WARD    $3.99
JUL190390    TOMMY GUN WIZARDS #2 (OF 4) CVR B LOTAY    $3.99

Review: SUPERMAN #1

SUPERMAN No. 1 (2018)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: Ivan Reis
INKS: Joe Prado
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Josh Reed
COVER: Ivan Reis and Joe Prado with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Adam Hughes; David Mack
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2018)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

“The Unity Saga”

Superman the comic book series enters a new era with a new writer and a new #1 issue (the third in seven years).  Superman is the most famous DC Comics superhero character.  Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 (cover dated: June 1938).  Superman was first a baby named “Kal-El” from the doomed planet Krypton.  Brought to Earth on a rocket ship (or space craft), Baby Kal was adopted by Martha and Thomas Kent, who named him “Clark Kent.”

Clark would grow up to be the superhero, Superman, and his activities and adventures were first chronicled in Action Comics.  A year later, Superman would get his own eponymous title when the comic book entitled Superman #1 debuted.  Now, comes a new Superman series.  It is written by the new primary Superman comic book writer, Brian Michael Bendis.  It is drawn by artists Ivan Reis (pencils) and Joe Prado (inks); colored by Alex Sinclair; and lettered by Josh Reed.

Superman #1 (2018) finds The Man of Steel stopping an invasion of Earth by the “Dominators” dead in its tracks.  [The Dominators a.k.a. “Dominion” were first seen in Adventures Comics #361 (October 1967), but are probably best known for being the villains in the 1988-89 comic book miniseries and crossover event, Invasion!].  Then, it is time to build a new “Fortress of Solitude,” have two separate meetings with fellow Justice League teammates, save the day several times, and discover something shocking about our planet.

I really want to like Brian Michael Bendis' Superman comic books, and for the most part, I enjoyed his debut series, The Man of Steel, a six-issue miniseries.  It could never live up to my ridiculously high expectations, but I actually wanted more of The Man of Steel.  Well, Superman #1 starts the process of meeting my Bendis Superman needs and expectations.

Bendis fills this first issue with wonderful surprises and sub-plots.  Ivan Reis' pencil art and compositions are lushly illustrated, and have a sparkling quality thanks to Joe Prado's intricate and detailed inks.  Colorist supreme Alex Sinclair delivers hues that have an opulent quality.  Josh Reed does some heavy lifting finding the right spots in the art to place word balloons and boxes.  This is a very well put together graphics package

I get the feeling that Bendis is going to portray Superman/Clark Kent as having to confront, deal with, and manage all his persona and all aspects of his personal, private, secret, and super lives.  I really like Superman #1 (2018), and I think my ridiculously high expectations might be met.

7.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA #1

CAPTAIN AMERICA No. 1 (Legacy #705)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review ws originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Ta-Nehisi Coates
PENCILS: Leinil Francis Yu
INKS: Gerry Alanguilan
COLORS: Sunny Gho
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Alex Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Adam Hughes; Joe Jusko; David Mack; Jim Sternako; Frank Miller with Edgar Delgado; Leinil Francis Yu; Paul Renaud; Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; Marko Djurdjevic; Ron Garney with Matt Milla; Mike Zeck with Richard Isanove; John Cassaday with Laura Martin
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (September 2018)

Rated “T+”

Captain America created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby

“Winter in America” Part 1

Captain America is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.  Captain America was Steve Rogers, a frail young man who reached the peak of human perfection via the experimental “super soldier” serum.

He first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (cover dated:  March 1941), which was published by Timely Comics, a predecessor of Marvel Comics.  After Captain America Comics was canceled in 1949, there was a revival of the series from 1953 to 1954.  Captain America fully returned to modern comic books in The Avengers #4 (cover dated: March 1964).

Steve Rogers/Captain America embarks on a new beginning again with a relaunch of his title series.  The new Captain America comic book series is written by Ta-Nehisi Coates; drawn by Leinil Francis Yu (pencils) and Gerry Alanguilan (inks); colored by Sunny Gho; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  In the new series, Captain America faces an existential crises as he wrestles with how people view and perceive him in the wake of the Hydra Captain America impostor that briefly took over the world as an authoritarian dictator.

Captain America #1 opens in the Sayan Mountains of Russia months earlier.  There, something new is emerging from the ashes of Hydra.  In the present day, Captain America and the Winter Solider battle a small army of men who resemble Cap's old adversary, Nuke.  They are killing civilians in a mass shooting event in and around the National Mall in Washington D.C.  As Captain America battles to save lives and stop these killers, he will also have to face another harsh reality.  No one really trusts him anymore... even the people who should know him best.

I would not call Captain America #1 2018 a great comic book, but it is the best written Captain America comic book that I have read in ages.  Ta-Nehisi Coates cleverly uses the battle at the National Mall's aftermath to depict not so much Captain America in crisis, but the Sentinel of Liberty as man at odds with the people, places, and nation he has sworn to protect and to defend.  It makes for great reading, because we known this is the true Captain America, but the dramatic tension brought by the distrust of Cap from the other characters makes for some good reading.

Leinil Francis Yu has been a skilled graphical storyteller for over two decades, but his drawing style has taken an ugly turn the last several years – as far as I am concerned.  He is better here, and Sunny Gho's evocative colors strengthen how the narrative conveys its ideas and heightens the drama.  Letterer Joe Caramagna creates a steady sense of rhythm that paces the narrative flow for both the action scenes and for the character scenes that confront Captain America.

I think Ta-Nehisi Coates will make me a regular Captain America reader for the first time in ages.  I think this is the beginning of a good age for Captain America.

8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for September 18, 2019

DYNAMITE

FEB191047    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #1 ATLAS AVALLONE SGN ED (MR)    $49.99
FEB191051    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #1 ROYLE VIRGIN ED    $50.00
JUL191188    BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 04 (MR)    $29.99
JUL191189    BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 04 PHOTO ED (MR)    $29.99
APR191021    BRANDON SANDERSON WHITE SAND HC VOL 03 (MR)    $24.99
FEB191088    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #9 CVR A EASTMAN    $3.99
FEB191089    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #9 CVR B CERMAK    $3.99
FEB191090    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #9 CVR C ROYLE    $3.99
FEB191091    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #9 CVR D PHOTO    $3.99
JUL191214    JAMES BOND 007 #11 CVR A JOHNSON    $3.99
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