DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for November 28, 2023

DC COMICS:

Action Comics #1059 (Cover A Steve Beach), $4.99

Action Comics #1059 (Cover B Jorge Jimenez Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Action Comics #1059 (Cover C Carla Cohen Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Action Comics #1059 (Cover D Mike Deodato Jr. Artist Spotlight Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Action Comics #1059 (Cover E Tyler Kirkham Card Stock Variant), AR

Action Comics #1059 (Cover F Francesco Tomaselli Card Stock Variant), AR

Alan Scott The Green Lantern #2 (Of 6)(Cover A David Talaski), $3.99

Alan Scott The Green Lantern #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Travis Moore Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Alan Scott The Green Lantern #2 (Of 6)(Cover C Alan Scott McFarlane Toys Action Figure Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Alan Scott The Green Lantern #2 (Of 6)(Cover D Stephen Byrne Card Stock Variant), AR

Amazons Attack #2 (Cover A Clayton Henry), $3.99

Amazons Attack #2 (Cover B Dani Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Amazons Attack #2 (Cover C Vasco Georgiev Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman ’89 Echoes #1 (Of 6)(Cover A Joe Quinones), $3.99

Batman ’89 Echoes #1 (Of 6)(Cover B Riley Rossmo Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman ’89 Echoes #1 (Of 6)(Cover C Bat-Cycle McFarlane Toys Action Figure Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman ’89 Echoes #1 (Of 6)(Cover D Blank Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman ’89 Echoes #1 (Of 6)(Cover E Doug Braithwaite Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman ’89 Echoes #1 (Of 6)(Cover F Baldemar Rivas Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Beyond Neo-Gothic #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Max Dunbar), $4.99

Batman Beyond Neo-Gothic #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Christian Ward Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman Beyond Neo-Gothic #5 (Of 6)(Cover C Nikola Cizmesija Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman The Brave And The Bold #7 (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $7.99

Batman The Brave And The Bold #7 (Cover B Jim Cheung), $7.99

Batman The Brave And The Bold #7 (Cover C Guillem March), $7.99

Batman The Brave And The Bold #7 (Cover D Stephen Segovia), AR

Batman The Dark Knight Detective Volume 8 TP, $29.99

City Boy #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Minkyu Jung), $3.99

City Boy #6 (Of 6)(Cover B InHyuk Lee Card Stock Variant), $4.99

City Boy #6 (Of 6)(Cover C Mike Choi Card Stock Variant), AR

Cyborg #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Edwin Galmon), $3.99

Cyborg #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Todd Nauck Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Cyborg #5 (Of 6)(Cover C Dan Hipp Card Stock Variant), AR

Danger Street Volume 1 TP, $19.99

DC Connect #43, AR

Detective Comics #1078 (Cover A Evan Cagle), $4.99

Detective Comics #1078 (Cover B Jason Shawn Alexander Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Detective Comics #1078 (Cover C Sebastian Fiumara Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Detective Comics #1078 (Cover D Batman McFarlane Toys Action Figure Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Detective Comics #1078 (Cover E Liam Sharp Card Stock Variant), AR

Detective Comics #1078 (Cover F Evan Cagle Card Stock Variant), AR

Doom Patrol #99 (Facsimile Edition), $4.99

Flash #3 (Cover A Mike Deodato Jr.), $3.99

Flash #3 (Cover B Mike Deodato Jr. Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Flash #3 (Cover C Ramon Perez Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Flash #3 (Cover D Christian Ward Card Stock Variant), AR

Flash #3 (Cover E Matt Taylor Card Stock Variant), AR

Green Arrow #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Phil Hester), $3.99

Green Arrow #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Chris Samnee Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Green Arrow #6 (Of 6)(Cover C Becky Cloonan DC Holiday Card Special Edition Variant), $5.99

Green Arrow #6 (Of 6)(Cover D Homare Card Stock Variant), AR

Green Lantern The Silver Age Omnibus Volume 1 HC (2023 Edition), $125.00

Harley Quinn #34 (Cover A Sweeney Boo), $4.99

Harley Quinn #34 (Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Harley Quinn #34 (Cover C Stanley Artgerm Lau DC Holiday Card Special Edition Variant), $6.99

Harley Quinn #34 (Cover D Jessica Fong Card Stock Variant), AR

Harley Quinn #34 (Cover E Erica Henderson Card Stock Variant), AR

Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong #1 (Of 6)(Cover F Christian Duce Godzilla Roar Sound FX Gatefold Variant), $14.99

Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong #1 (Of 6)(Cover G Christian Duce Kong Roar Sound FX Gatefold Variant), $14.99

Penguin #4 (Cover A Carmine Di Giandomenico), $3.99

Penguin #4 (Cover B Christian Ward Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Penguin #4 (Cover C Arist Deyn Card Stock Variant), AR

Power Girl #3 (Cover A Gary Frank), $3.99

Power Girl #3 (Cover B Rahzzah Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Power Girl #3 (Cover C Guillem March Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Power Girl #3 (Cover D Babs Tarr Card Stock Variant), AR

Power Girl #3 (Cover E Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson Card Stock Variant), AR

Seven Soldiers By Grant Morrison Omnibus HC (2023 Edition), $125.00

Static Shadows Of Dakota #7 (Of 7)(Cover A Nikolas Draper-Ivey), $3.99

Static Shadows Of Dakota #7 (Of 7)(Cover B Serg Acuna Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Static Shadows Of Dakota #7 (Of 7)(Cover C Acky Bright Card Stock Variant), AR

Steelworks #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Jon Bogdanove), $3.99

Steelworks #6 (Of 6)(Cover B V Ken Marion & Danny Miki Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Steelworks #6 (Of 6)(Cover C Jerry Gaylord Card Stock Variant), AR

Superman Son Of Kal-El Volume 2 The Rising TP, $16.99

Titans Beast World #1 (Of 6)(Cover A Ivan Reis & Danny Miki), $5.99

Titans Beast World #1 (Of 6)(Cover B Bjorn Barends Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Titans Beast World #1 (Of 6)(Cover C Bruno Redondo Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Titans Beast World #1 (Of 6)(Cover D Stanley Artgerm Lau Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Titans Beast World #1 (Of 6)(Cover E Clayton Henry Lenticular Variant), $7.99

Wonder Woman Gail Simone Omnibus HC (2023 Edition), $100.00

Wonder Woman Outlaw Edition #1, $6.99

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#IReadsYou Review: RED SONJA Black White Red #3

RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED #3
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Gail Simone; Dearbhla Kelly; Jonathan Lau and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
ART: Walter Geovani; Soo Lee; Jonathan Lau
COLORS: Dearbhla Kelly
LETTERS: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Sean Izaakse; Jonathan Lau; Lucio Parrillo; Rachel Hollon (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2021)

Rated Teen+

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

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

Red Sonja remained a fixture in comic books from then until about 1986.  In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring differing versions of the character.  One of those is Red Sonja Black White and Red, an anthology comic book featuring stories from well known comic book writers and artists, with the art presented in black, white, and red.

Red Sonja Black White and Red #3 is comprised of three stories.  The first is “Dawn of a Crimson Day” by Gail Simone, Walter Geovani, Dearbhla Kelly, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.  Next is “Small Tales” by Dearbhla Kelly and Soo Lee with Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.  The final story is “Ssshhhhh!” by Jonathan Lau, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and Dearbhla Kelly.  I'll review each story separately.

THE LOWDOWN:   Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Red Sonja Black White and Red #3, which is the second issue of the title that I have read.

“Dawn of a Crimson Day” by Gail Simone, Walter Geovani, Dearbhla Kelly, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou:
Except for two panels near the end of the story, “Dawn of a Crimson Day” is a pantomime comic that offers up an origin story for Red Sonja.  Gail Simone's script is intense and angry, and I could feel some of it tapping at my heart.  The art by Walter Geovani surges and flows like a rushing stream, and Dearbhla's beautiful colors are fiery and lights this story so that even those far away can see it.

“Small Tales” by Dearbhla Kelly and Soo Lee with Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou:
“Small Tales” opens in Hyrkania where Red Sonja encounters a girl named Rua, who happens to be the She-Devil with a Sword's biggest fan.  Now, Red Sonja has to teach the girl how to be a hero.

“Small Tales” is a good story with a nice point about the life of hero.  Soo Lee's art expertly captures the runaway imagination of a fan about her champion.

“Ssshhhhh!” by Jonathan Lau, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and Dearbhla Kelly:
This story finds Red Sonja attempting to claim a bounty by slaying a dragon, but things are not what they seem.  “Ssshhhhh!” is a confusing story with nice art, and while it is filled with visually striking moments, this mostly pantomime story does not interest me.

It is not hard for me to pick a favorite story of the three offered in Red Sonja Black White and Red #3.  The Gail Simone, Walter Geovani, Dearbhla Kelly, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou project called “Dawn of a Crimson Day” really stands out in this issue.

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

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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


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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#IReadsYou Review: RED SONJA #1 2013 Dynamite Edition

RED SONJA DYNAMITE EDITION

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Gail Simone
ART: Walter Geovani
COLORS: Adriano Lucas
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
EDITOR: Josephy Rybandt
COVER: Walter Geovani
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Walter Geovani; Gracie the Cosplay Lass and Morgan McClung and Happy Trigger (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2022)

Rated Teen+

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

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

Dynamite Entertainment is now the publisher of Red Sonja comic books.  One of its recent publications is Red Sonja Dynamite Edition.  It is a facsimile edition of Red Sonja #1 (2013), the debut of the blockbuster creative team of writer Gail Simone and artist Walter Geovani, published with a new cover by Geovani that pays homage to legendary Red Sonja comic book artist, Frank Thorne.  Colorist Adriano Lucas and letterer Simon Bowland completed the 2013 creative team.

Red Sonja Dynamite Edition opens as King Dimath leads his army to victory over the evil Zamorans.  Deep in a Zamoran prison pit, Dimath finds two women that he frees.  One of them is Red Sonja.  A few turns of the season later, it is Dimath that must call upon Red Sonja for rescue.  The Zamorans have attacked again, and Dimath's army has also been decimated by plague.  Sonja is ready to do her part to help the king, but among the enemy is a familiar face.

THE LOWDOWN:   Since July 2021, the marketing department of Dynamite Entertainment has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Red Sonja Dynamite Edition, which is one of many Dynamite Entertainment Red Sonja comic books that I have read.

I have vague recollections of Gail Simone writing Red Sonja, but I don't remember the 2013 series in particular.  As usual, Simone presents some really good storytelling, and her take on Red Sonja results in a rich, multi-layered character.  The story, plot, and setting seem very carefully thought-out.

Walter Geovani's art is good, stronger on storytelling that it is on technique.  For instance, the brushwork on the inks a bit heavy, and Geovani saves his best figure and facial drawing for Sonja.  All the other characters are drawn like stock characters.  Adriano Lucas' colors make everything look pretty enough to make me stop quibbling.  Simon Bowland's letters, as usual, are solid and serves the story's swings from mood to movement.

Red Sonja comic book fans who missed the original first issue would do well to pick up this facsimile edition, Red Sonja Dynamite Edition.  Walter Geovani's lovely cover art is also a nice extra.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja, Gail Simone, and Walter Geovani will want to read Red Sonja Dynamite Edition.

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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


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 © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

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

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for July 6, 2022

DYNAMITE

APR220495 BOYS OVERSIZED OMNIBUS HC VOL 03 (MR) $99.99

APR220496 BOYS OVERSIZED OMNIBUS SGN ED HC VOL 03 (MR) $199.99

MAY220668 DIE!NAMITE NEVER DIES #5 CVR A FLEECS $3.99

MAY220669 DIE!NAMITE NEVER DIES #5 CVR B PARRILLO $3.99

MAY220670 DIE!NAMITE NEVER DIES #5 CVR C SUYDAM $3.99

MAY220671 DIE!NAMITE NEVER DIES #5 CVR D LEIRIX $3.99

MAY220672 DIE!NAMITE NEVER DIES #5 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99

APR228618 DIE!NAMITE NEVER DIES #5 CVR L FOC PARRILLO ULTRAVIOLET $3.99

APR228619 DIE!NAMITE NEVER DIES #5 CVR M FOC LEIRIX ULTRAVIOLET $3.99

MAR220686 DRACULINA #4 CVR I TURNER LTD VIRGIN $50.00

MAR220687 DRACULINA #4 CVR J BESCH LTD VIRGIN $50.00

MAR220543 ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #1 CVR L SGN ATLAS ED $49.99

MAY220654 GAIL SIMONE RED SONJA #1 FACSIMILE ED $3.99

MAY220644 INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #1 GEM MINT CVR $100.00

MAY220643 PATHFINDER GLOW IN DARK FUMBUS ONE SHOT $25.00

MAY220743 PROJECT SUPERPOWERS FRACTURED STATES #4 CVR A ROOTH $3.99

MAY220744 PROJECT SUPERPOWERS FRACTURED STATES #4 CVR B KOLINS $3.99

MAY220745 PROJECT SUPERPOWERS FRACTURED STATES #4 CVR C BORGES $3.99

MAY220746 PROJECT SUPERPOWERS FRACTURED STATES #4 CVR D ANDRADE $3.99

MAY220747 PROJECT SUPERPOWERS FRACTURED STATES #4 CVR E WOOTON $3.99

APR220602 RED SONJA (2021) #10 CVR I ANDOLFO LTD VIRGIN $50.00

APR220603 RED SONJA (2021) #10 CVR J LEIRIX LTD VIRGIN $50.00

APR220604 RED SONJA (2021) #10 CVR K LINSNER LTD VIRGIN $50.00

APR211131 RED SONJA PRICE OF BLOOD TP $14.99

MAY220765 RED SONJA RED SITHA #3 CVR A YOON $3.99

MAY220766 RED SONJA RED SITHA #3 CVR B ANDOLFO $3.99

MAY220767 RED SONJA RED SITHA #3 CVR C LEIRIX $3.99

MAY220768 RED SONJA RED SITHA #3 CVR D PINTI $3.99

MAY220769 RED SONJA RED SITHA #3 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99

APR228609 RED SONJA RED SITHA #3 CVR L FOC LERIX ULTRAVIOLET $3.99

MAY220621 SAVAGE TALES ONE SHOT CVR A SUYDAM $4.99

MAY220622 SAVAGE TALES ONE SHOT CVR B SHARP $4.99

MAY220623 SAVAGE TALES ONE SHOT CVR C KAYANAN $4.99

MAY220624 SAVAGE TALES ONE SHOT CVR D BLANK AUTHENTIX $4.99

APR228605 SAVAGE TALES ONE SHOT CVR H FOC BONUS RED BLANK AUTHENITX $4.99

MAY220645 VAMPIRELLA ASCENDING EVIL CONNER B&W SP ED CVR $75.00

MAY210884 VAMPIRELLA DARK POWERS TP $19.99

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Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for November 27, 2019

DYNAMITE

JUL191200    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #6 CVR A ROYLE    $3.99
JUL191201    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #6 CVR B CHANTLER    $3.99
JUL191202    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #6 CVR C WILLIAMS    $3.99
JUL191203    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #6 CVR D QUALANO    $3.99
JUL191204    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #6 CVR E PHOTO    $3.99
SEP191079    BLACK TERROR #2 KIRKHAM LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
SEP191164    DAWN VAMPIRELLA TP    $19.99
SEP191039    KISS ZOMBIES #1 SAYGER LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
SEP191038    KISS ZOMBIES #1 SUYDAM LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
SEP191107    RED SONJA #10 CONNER VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
SEP191108    RED SONJA #10 LINSNER VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
JUL191186    RED SONJA COMPLETE GAIL SIMONE HC OVERSIZED    $49.99
JUL191187    RED SONJA COMPLETE GAIL SIMONE HC OVERSIZED SIMONE SGN    $75.00
MAY191175    VAMPIRELLA 50TH ANN ULTRA TRADING CARDS BOX (12 PACKS)    $PI
MAY191174    VAMPIRELLA 50TH ANN ULTRA TRADING CARDS INDIVIDUAL FOIL PACK    $PI
AUG191226    VAMPIRELLA 50TH ANNIVERSARY POSTER COLL SC    $24.99
SEP191179    VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #2 OLIVER LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
SEP191178    VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #2 PARRILLO LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00

Review: DOMINO #1

DOMINO No. 1 (2018)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gail Simone
ART: David Baldéon
COLORS: Jesus Aburtov
LETTERS: Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Chris Robinson
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida
COVER: Greg Land with Frank D'Armata
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Elsa Charretier with Matthew Wilson; David Baldéon with Jesus Aburtov; Pretend comic book artist-J. Scott Campbell with Sabine Rich; Rob Liefeld
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2018)

“Killer Instinct” Part One

Neena Thurman a.k.a. Domino is a Marvel Comics character.  The character was created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza.  A version of Domino first appeared in New Mutants #98 (cover dated: February 1991); then, the “real” version of the character first appeared in X-Force #8 (cover dated: March 1992).  Domino is a mutant best known for her association with the team, X-Force.

Although Domino has been the title character in two miniseries, the character is finally the star of her own ongoing comic book series.  Entitled Domino, it is written by Gail Simone; drawn by David Baldéon; colored by Jesus Aburtov; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Domino #1 finds Domino and “Crazy” Inez Temple a.k.a. “Outlaw” in the Pacific Northwest.  They are supposedly here because they have been hired to take care of some mobsters, but this is really a setup for an attack on them.  And it's Neena Thurman's birthday...

I am a fan of Gail Simone, and I am currently enjoying her Image Comics series, Crosswind, and her current miniseries for Dynamite Entertainment, Red Sonja / Tarzan, both of which had excellent first issues.  Domino #1 is a mediocre first issue.

Simone has publicly stated that many comic books suffer from poor character development.  The problem with Domino #1 is that its title character is not much of a character.  Domino is at best a supporting character, but Marvel Comics has spent much of the last four decades publishing miniseries and regular series starring just about any character that shows any measurable popularity with fans.  So Domino #1 stars a character who, after more than a quarter century, is not much more than the sketch that first appeared in Rob Liefeld's sketchbook.  And Gail Simone, who is excellent at giving comic book characters character, may not be able to change that.

As for the graphics team, David Baldéon has been a rising star; Domino #1 is air turbulence for him, a step back from his excellent, hot wire art on the recent Spirits of Vengeance miniseries.  For colorist Jesus Aburtov and letterer Clayton Cowles, Domino #1 is an average output.  “Serviceable” is the word to describe Domino #1.  I do not hold out hope that the series will get better.

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: RED SONJA / TARZAN #1

RED SONJA / TARZAN No. 1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Gail Simone – @GailSimone
ARTIST: Walter Geovani
COLORS: Adriano Augusto
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Adam Hughes
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Aaron Lopresti; Walter Geovani with Dee Cunniffe; Sergio Davila with Dinei Ribeiro; Sergio Davila; Jae Lee; Jim Balent
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2, 2018)

Rated Teen+

In the Marvel Comics publication, Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated February 1973), writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith created a high fantasy sword and sorcery heroine.  She was named Red Sonja and was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Conan the Cimmerian's creator, Robert E. Howard.

Tarzan is one of the most famous fictional characters in the world.  Tarzan was an orphan and the archetypal “feral child,” and in this instance, he was raised in the African jungle by great apes.  Tarzan was born a noble, John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, but he rejects civilization and lives in the wilds of Africa as a heroic adventurer.  Tarzan was created by Edgar Rice Burroughs and first appeared in the novel, Tarzan of the Apes, which began serialization in All-Story Magazines in 1912, before it was published in book form in 1914.  Tarzan would go onto to be a multimedia star, appearing in films, television, comic books, etc.

Red Sonja and Tarzan come together for the first time in the new crossover comic book miniseries, Red Sonja / Tarzan, from Dynamite Entertainment.  It is written by Gail Simone; drawn by Walter Geovani; colored by Adriano Augusto; and lettered by Simon Bowland.  The series finds Red Sonja (The She-Devil with a Sword) and Tarzan (Lord of the Jungle) caught in a deadly conflict with a man whose very name inspires fear in even the most powerful people.

Red Sonja / Tarzan #1 opens in Australia in 1921, revealing the exploits of the evil “great White hunter,” Eson Duul.  A year later, outside London, Tarzan clashes with Duul, a first step, which unbeknownst to Tarzan, begins a game of death between the two formidable men.  Meanwhile, in the “Hyborian Age,” Red Sonja has her own unpleasant encounter, one that will leave her broken and crossing the oceans of time in order to get revenge.

Pencil ink artist Walter Geovani and color artist Adriano Augusto deliver some nice illustrations and storytelling in Red Sonja / Tarzan #1, and they are quite good at conveying the multiple shifts in settings and time that this story requires.  Letter Simon Bowland uses his fonts and balloons to give this story a sense of hysteria that imparts the sense of many of the characters' state of desperation.

However, the star of this creative team is Gail Simone.  She may be a fan-favorite, but I consider her an underrated and under-appreciated comic book writer.  If she were not under-appreciated, she would have been writing flagship comic books like Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men, and Star Wars (for Marvel) and Superman, Batman, and Justice League (for DC Comics).

Simone is adept at quickly establishing the personalities of her characters and at defining their motivations for her readers.  Simone totally sells the idea of Red Sonja, that same She-Devil with a Sword, as a woman who has been soundly defeated, especially mentally.  Simone makes Duul so evil that I could order a drone attack on the bastard myself, and I am not a supporter of drone warfare.

Gail Simone is going to make Red Sonja / Tarzan a must-read, event crossover comic book.  It is worth fighting in your local comic book shop over a last copy.

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 syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: PLASTIC MAN #1

PLASTIC MAN No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gail Simone
ART: Adriana Melo
COLORS: Kelly Fitzpatrick
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
EDITOR: Kristy Quinn
COVER: Aaron Lopresti
VARIANT COVER: Amanda Conner with Dave Johnson
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2018)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Plastic Man created by Jack Cole

Plastic Man is a DC Comics superhero, but the character was originally the property of now-defunct publisher, Quality Comics.  Plastic Man was created by cartoonist, Jack Cole, and first appeared in Quality's Police Comics #1 (cover dated: August 1941).  One of the first characters to incorporate humor in superhero comics storytelling, Plastic Man was a criminal named Patrick “Eel” O'Brian, a criminal who was part of a burglary ring.

During a heist, Eel was exposed to a chemical that entered his bloodstream and caused a radical physical change.  Eel's body now had all of the properties of rubber, and he could stretch, bounce, and mold his body into any shape.  Eel created a red, black, and yellow (later red and yellow) rubber costume and began capturing criminals as the superhero, Plastic Man.

Plastic Man and his origin are the subjects of a new six-issue comic book miniseries from DC Comics.  Plastic Man is written by Gail Simone; drawn by Adriana Melo; colored by Kelly Fitzpatrick; and lettered by Simon Bowland.

Plastic Man #1 opens with petty thug Eel O'Brian getting a beating from three fellow thugs:  Sammy “Suitcase” Mizzola (the ringleader), “Brutal” Benny Turlin, and “Dizzy” Darren Fitzroy.  Eel is angry that he did not get a cut of a recent burglary and that a security guard was killed, but something has changed since the burglary.  Eel is supposed to be dead, and coming back from the dead has angered Sammy.  What Sammy doesn't know is that Eel has come back really different.  He's Plastic Man!  But even Eel himself is in for a shock about what actually happened that night of the burglary.

Over its 80-plus years of existence, DC Comics, in its various incarnations, has gobbled up a number of characters that did not originate with it.  The publisher really has not done much with some of those characters, except make them lesser than the original incarnations.  Shazam/Captain Marvel is one of them.  Plastic Man is another.

I think Kyle Baker, who wrote and drew 20 issues of a Plastic Man (2004-2006) for DC, is one of the few comics creators that have captured the craziness and surrealism of Jack Cole's original Plastic Man comics. [Cole's Plastic Man comics are worth your efforts to find them in reprint or archival form.]  Gail Simone and Adriana Melo are not among them.

That's okay, really.  Plastic Man 2018 is an attempt to normalize an abnormal character so that it fits in with the uniformity of the “DC Universe.”  Simone drains Plastic Man of his inherent zaniness, and the art team of illustrator Adriana Melo and colorist Kelly Fitzpatrick bleeds the graphical wackiness and color right out of the character.  Even Simon Bowland's lettering comes across as mechanical, although it isn't.  This work is not bad; individually, the contributors deliver the inoffensively average.

The result is a professionally produced comic book that is the reading equivalent of a cauliflower and mayonnaise sandwich on white bread with the crust removed.  Flavorless Flav!

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: CROSSWIND #1

CROSSWIND No. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gail Simone
ART/COLORS: Cat Staggs
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Cat Staggs
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2017)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Crosswind is a comic book series created by artist Cat Staggs and writer Gail Simone.  Published by Image Comics, the series debuted in the summer of 2017.  Crosswind focuses on a hit man and a housewife caught in a body-swapping paradox.

Crosswind #1 introduces two disparate souls.  The first is Cason Ray Bennett, a slick and ruthless Chicago-based hit man.  The second is Juniper “June” Elanore Blue, a downtrodden Seattle housewife.  Cason has to pop-a-cap in his friend, Del, to appease his boss, Cruz.  June has to deal with a philandering husband, Jim, and a sullen stepson, Kelly.  Now, at the most inconvenient of inconvenient times, things get crossed for Cason and June.

I have often suspected that if Gail Simone were a man named Gale Simone, she/he would get the kind of comic book writing gigs from Mavel and DC Comics that Nick Spencer, Cullen Bunn, Scott Snyder and Tom King get.  I say that knowing that Simone has generally done quite well with DC Comics.

With Crosswind, I think that Simone will show just how inventive a writer she is or is not.  The fictional conceit of two people switching bodies is so well-worn as a supernatural plot that it is frankly tiresome.  Films have explored the idea of people's souls switching bodies for decades, the most famous probably being the two versions of Walt Disney's Freaky Friday.  So many television series have had at least one episode in which body-swapping played a prominent role; I think the original “Star Trek” TV series used it or something similar several times.  So what's coming here, Ms. Simone?

Cat Staggs, series artist and colorist, delivers some really work with this first issue.  Everything in her graphical storytelling is urgent and edgy, and the story jumps off the page as if it is trying to grab the reader.  Staggs certainly grabs me, and the emotions resonate.  For instance, June is being sexually harassed by a group of young men who are her neighbors.  June's discomfort and the young men's vulgarity feel real; Staggs delivers in a way that could make the readers think that they are witnessing an actual in-progress assault.

I am surprised by Crosswind #1.  I really did not expect much from it, but I want to read more.

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 for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #12

THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE No. 12 (OF 12)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gail Simone
ART: Jill Thompson; Ryan Sook
COLORS: Trish Mulvihill; Laura Martin; Andrew Crossley
LETTERS: Clem Robins
MISC ART: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Joe Prado with Mark Chiarello; Adam Kubert
COVER: Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Ryan Sook; Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Joe Prado with Trish Mulvihill
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2018)

Rated “T” for Teen

Kamandi created by Jack Kirby

[Afterword by Paul Levitz]

“The Boundless Realm”

Created by Jack Kirby, Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth was a comic book series published by DC Comics in the 1970s.  Running from 1972 to 1978, the series starred Kamandi, a teenaged boy in a post-apocalyptic future.  In this time, humans have been reduced back to savagery in a world ruled by intelligent, highly evolved animals.

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth #1 (cover dated: October 1972) opens some time after a huge event called “The Great Disaster,” which wiped out human civilization.  In “Earth A.D.” (After Disaster), many animals have become humanoid, bipedal, and sentient, and also possess the power of speech. These newly intelligent animal species have equipped themselves with weapons and technology salvaged from the ruins of human civilization and are constantly at war in a struggle for territory.

The world of Kamandi returned in the DC Comics miniseries, The Kamandi Challenge.  Ostensibly a tribute to the 100th anniversary of Jack Kirby's birth (1917), The Kamandi Challenge brought together 14 teams of writers and artists.  Each team produced a single issue (or worked on a single issue) of The Kamandi Challenge, which ended in an cliffhanger.  The following issue's creative team would resolve that cliffhanger left behind by the previous creative team however it wanted.  That team would craft its own story, which also ended in a cliffhanger, which the next creative team would have to resolve... and so on.

The Kamandi Challenge came to an end with the recently published twelfth issue, featuring two creative teams.  The first team is writer Gail Simone; artists Jill Thompson and Ryan Sook; colorists Trish Mulvihill; Laura Martin; and Andrew Crossley; and letterer Clem Robins.  The second creative team is comprised of writer Paul Levitz; artist José Luis García-López (pencils) and Joe Prado (inks); colorist Trish Mulvihill; and letterer Clem Robins.

The Kamandi Challenge #12 opens with the story “The Boundless Realm” (by the Simone-Thompson/Sook team), which introduces “Kamanda: The Last Girl on Earth.”  Who is she and what does she have to tell Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth as he enters his final battle with “The Misfit?”

The second story is “Epilogue the First: The Answers” by Levitz- García-López.  Kamandi meets his creator Jack Kirby and gets some answers.  But what kind of answers are they?

Let us make no mistake, Jack Kirby is a great artist, worthy of being a comic book icon (or the comic book icon) and being in the hallowed halls of museums and academia.  The problem with tributes to great artist is that those tributes are sometimes offered by people who, while they are influenced by great artists, are not themselves great artists.  In fact, sometimes the people who offer tributes are hacks, in spite of the greatness they admire.

And The Kamandi Challenge is the creation of some who are middling talents, some who are hacks, some exceptional talents that produced middling work in this series.  In this final issue, from the ugly Frank Miller front cover to the “it was all a dream” type ending, The Kamandi Challenge #12, like the earlier issues, is a tribute in name only to Jack Kirby.  Yes, there are some good moments and good issues in this twelve issue maxi-series, but The Kamandi Challenge is a cynical attempt to make money using Jack Kirby's name and legacy.

The best thing about The Kamandi Challenge #12 is Paul Levitz's afterword, which is a true and loving tribute to someone who was obviously a friend, the truly talented and late Len Wein.

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 for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: WONDER WOMAN/CONAN #1

WONDER WOMAN CONAN No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS/Dark Horse Comics – @DCComics @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gail Simone
PENCILS: Aaron Lopresti
INKS: Matt Ryan
COLORS: Wendy Broome
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte
COVER: Darick Robertson with Tony Aviña
VARIANT COVERS: Liam Sharp with Laura Martin
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2017)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston; Conan created by Robert E. Howard

“A Crown without Mercy”

Conan the Cimmerian (also Conan the Barbarian) was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard, first appearing in magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  Marvel Comics brought Conan to comic books in 1970, with the long running series, Conan the Barbarian.

Now, Conan moves into new comic book territory with the team-up book, Wonder Woman Conan.  The series is written by Gail Simone; drawn by Aaron Lopresti (pencils) and Matt Ryan (inks); colored by Wendy Broome; and lettered by Saida Temofonte.

Wonder Woman Conan #1 (“A Crown without Mercy”) opens in the time when Conan was a child at the age of “eight summers.”  He travels with his father, Conaldar, a blacksmith, to a conclave of clans.  In this gathering of strangers, Conan sees the first truly beautiful thing in his life, a girl named “Yanna.”

Years late, the adult Conan – a thief, a reaver, and a slayer – encounters three men who are about to kill another man.  He saves that man, who is named Kian, and they travel to the Aquilonian kingdom where they plan to witness a special warrior in a gladiatorial fight.  She is a woman, a “Wonder Woman” from Conan's past, and their reunion may be that they are destined to die together.

I can't remember if I have ever read a Wonder Woman comic book written by Gail Simone, but I did read some of the excellent Conan Red Sonja, a four-issue miniseries she wrote that was published in late 2014 and early 2015.  Simone is simply good at what she does, and that is writing riveting, engaging, clever, witty, and fun-to-read comic books.  I remember that people loved her Wonder Woman, and I loved her Conan, and Wonder Woman Conan is something to love.  My only complaint is that the first issue had to end.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that lovely art and strong storytelling by Aaron Lopresti.  After more than two decades, Lopresti's art is highly-polished and professional, especially when it is inked by someone good, as it is here by Matt Ryan.  Lopresti's art, especially his figure drawing, reminds me of such classic 1980s and 90s stalwarts as Bob McLeod, Jerry Ordway, and Dan Jurgens.  Lopresti's solid compositions are the perfect graphical storytelling vehicle for a story featuring two great warriors, Wonder Woman and Conan.

Wonder Woman Conan #1 is fine start to what I believe will be an excellent crossover comic book.  I think Simone and Lopresti will deliver, as usual.

9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

I Reads You Juniors July 2018 - Update #73

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

OCTOBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Caliber Press for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for October 2018.
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for October 2018.

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From TheSun:  Britain's long-running and venerable children's comics magazines turned 80 years old, yesterday, Monday, July 30, 2018.

From ComicBookBin:   New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #171 in English.
From ComicBookBin:   New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #171 in French.

SDCC - From PublishersWeekly:  New Fans, New Books: Change Comes to San Diego Comic-Con 2018

From BleedingCool:   First Look at Alejandro Jodorowsky and José Ladrönn’s Sons of El Topo OGN

From THR:  DC Comics publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio talks about the company's strategy going forward.

From Farlaine:  Preorders open on Vol. 7, the final volume of the acclaimed fantasy comic book series, Farlaine the Goblin."

From BloodyDisgusting:  Tom Holland wrote and directed the original "Fright Night" film.  Now, he is returning to the world of that film with a new novel and possibly a comic book series.

From Polygon:  Comedian Jim Jefferies (of Comedy Central's "The Jim Jefferies Show") takes on comic book Klan troll, Richard C. Meyer.

SDCC - From THR:  Big Marvel and DC comic book reveals from Comic-Con you may have missed.

From BleedingCool:  The acclaimed science fiction comic book, "Saga," from Image Comics is going on hiatus after issue #54.

From BleedingCool:  The full DC Comics catalogue for October 2018.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #170 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #170 in French.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  "X-Men: Black" will be a weekly series of one-shots focusing on X-Men villains.  Chris Claremont will write the Magneto one-shot.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #169 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #169 in French.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Comic-Con yields more details on IDW's upcoming line of young readers Marvel Comics superhero titles.

From BleedingCool:  John Byrne drops some gorgeous pencil art in his classic "X-Men" style.

From CBR:  Marvel Comics is reviving its "What If?" series.

SDCC - From CBR: Scott Snyder's big Friday Comic-Con announcement is a massive DC Comics crossover event for 2019, but no title was revealed.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Actor Isaiah Washington and actor-screenwriter Kevin Grevioux talk about their graphic novel, "Bison," at Comic-Con's "Black Panel."

SDCC - From THR:  The winners of the 2018 Will Esiner Awards
From ComicCon:  The 2018 Will Eisner Awards for Excellence in Comics
-----------

SDCC - From CBR:  Venerable comics journalism, commentary, and interview magazines, The Comics Journal, is returning as a print magazines.

SDCC - From CBR:  DC Comics confirms the Geoff Johns/Jason Fabok/Brad Anderson "Three Jokers," which will be released on DC's "Black Label" imprint.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Top Cow Marc Silvestri has longed been rumored to working on a Batman comic book.  It has been officially announces as the six-issue miniseries, "Batman/The Joker: Deadly Duo."

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Stargirl is the latest DC Comics character headed to a TV series on the streaming service, "DC Universe."

SDCC - From YahooEntertainment:  Grant Morrison to write new Hal Jordan Green Lantern comic book series, "The Green Lantern."

From Newsarama:  Subscription pre-orders for the streaming universe, "DC Universe," are now available.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Gail Simone is now the "chief architect" of comic book publisher's Lion Forge's "Catalyst Prime," its line of "diverse" superhero comic books.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics announces a bunch on new DC Ink and DC Zoom titles, including one written by Louise Simonson.

SDCC - From Fantagraphics:  Fantagraphics goes to San Diego Comic-Con 2018; here is their "Signing Schedule."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics is putting Jack Kirby's world of disaster ("Kamandi") into the DC Comics "Rebirth era" via a new comic book, "Electric Warriors" a six-issue miniseries written by Steve Orlando and drawn by Travel Forman.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Scott Snyder will announce his new DC Comics project on Friday at Comic-Con International 2018.

SDCC - From TheComicsReporter:  Twenty-Five Tips For Surviving + Thriving During Comic-Con 2018

SDCC - From MarketInsider:  Critical Entertainment LLC is a new comic book and graphic novel publisher debuts at San Diego Comic-Con International 2018.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #168 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #168 in French.

From CBR:  Renowned science fiction author wrote a screenplay for what would eventually be the film "Alien 3"  It was not used; now Dark Horse is producing a comic book adaptation of it.

From BleedingCool:  Greg Pak and Marc Laming prep an ongoing "James Bond" comic book for Dyanmite Entertainment.

SDCC - From CosmicBookNews:   Marvel Comics' 2018 San Diego Comic-Con International schedule, panel, and autographs.

From CBR:  Comics book villains will show up in Season 2 of Freeform's TV series, "Cloak & Dagger," says executive producer Joe Pokaski.

From JapanTimes:  An article about the enduring appeal of the manga, "Akira."

From Newsarama:  The "Blade Runner" film universe is coming to comic books courtesy of Titan Publishing.

From BleedingCool:  Spider-Gwen will return as "Ghost Spider" in a new comic book.

From BleedingCool:  Artist Cary Nord will join G. Willow Wilson when she begins her tenure as writer of "Wonder Woman."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Black Label" imprint will debut with the oversized "Batman: Damned" from Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo.

From Newsarama:  R.L. Stine, the creator of "Goosebumps," is writing a series of original "supernatural middle grade" graphic novels to be published by BOOM! Studios under its Kaboom! imprint.

From JakartaPost:  Elderly emerging as star characters in new manga genre

From BleedingCool:  "Avengers Halloween Special" arrives in October 2018.

From BleedingCool:  Netflix release a poster for its adaptation of Archie Comics' "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."

From TechDirt:  Police Union Upset Not All Books Paint Cops As Heroes, Calls For Removal Of Titles From School's Reading List

From AnimeNewsNetwork:  Viz Media Licenses JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Manga & Live-Action Film, Golden Wind Anime

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Full Details of All 254 Friday Panels at San Diego Comic-Con 2018

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #167 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #167 in French.

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RIP - From Deadline:  Legendary comic book writer-artist Steve Ditko (The Amazing Spider-Man, Doctor Strange) died sometime in June, but the news just came to light today, Friday, July 6th, 2018.  The NYPD found his body on June 29th, 2018, and believe he had been dead a couple of days when they found his body.

RIP - from TCJ:  The Comics Journal offers an excellent (fantastic even) overview of the recently deceased Steve Ditko.
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RIP - From BleedingCool:  Andy Mangels remembers California animation industry veteran, Darrell McNeil, who died Wednesday, July 4th, 2018.  He became the young African-American in the animation business Hanna-Barbera hired him at the age of 18.

From ComicBook:  Veteran comics writer, artist, and publisher, Bob Layton, thinks that Marvel/Disney and DC Comics/Warner Bros. will eventually leave comic book publishing behind.

From TheSource:  Black Comic Books Matter: Sony Pictures Acquires Film Rights To Black Fantasy ‘Skyward’ Comic

From CBR:  A look back at the Ultraverse's "Video Comic Books."

From Gamespot:  Story details about the sequel to the popular "Fairy Tail" manga have been revealed.

From SiouxCityJournal:  Meredith, New Hampshire, will erect a bronze statue of a hometown boy, legendary Archie Comics artist, the late Bob Montana."

From TheBeat:  The Book, “DC Comics Before Superman.” looks at Wheeler-Nicholson’s Time as the Original Publisher

From TheVillageVoice:  Carol Cooper offers a fantastic obituary and overview of Harlan Ellison, the speculative fiction and television writer, who died June 28, 2018.  Ellison wrote several comic books scripts and penned numerous introductions and pieces for comic books and trade paperback collections.

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing to offer high-end exclusives at San Diego Comic-Con International 2018.

From ComicBook:  Marvel Comics announces it plans for San Diego Comic-Con International 2018.

From LRMOnline:  Boom! Studios has announced a new comic book series based on Joss Whedon's short-lived FOX TV series, "Firefly."

From WGNRadio:  In this audio clip, Nicole Hollander talks about her comic book, "We Ate Wonder Bread."

From BleedingCool:  Catwoman #1, debuting tomorrow, will lead DC Comics' switch from glossy to non-glossy paper.

From YouTube:  Jim Broadbent and Dix talks about their graphic novel, "Dull Margaret."

From ChicagoTribune:  A profile of Carol Tyler and discussion of her upcoming Beatles "diary," "Fab4 Mania."

From ComicBook:  Black actors portraying characters on TV that are "white" in the comic books talk about how they handled racists comic book fans online.

From SchooLibraryJournal:  This article reviews two volumes of Fantagraphics Books well-received "Disney Masters" series.

From ComicBook:  "Bleach" creator, Tite Kubo, reveals new manga, "Burn the Witch," which will reportedly be a one-shot.

From JapanToday:   Popular Japanese baseball manga series "Dokaben" ended its 46-year history with its last episode published in a weekly comic magazine released Thursday.

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for May 2, 2018

D. E.

FEB181407    DYNAMITE 2017 COSPLAY COVER SPECIAL ASHLEY DU SGN ED    $29.99
JAN181501    RED SONJA #15 CVR A MCKONE    $3.99
JAN181502    RED SONJA #15 CVR B GOMEZ    $3.99
JAN181503    RED SONJA #15 CVR C DOE    $3.99
JAN181504    RED SONJA #15 CVR D COSPLAY    $3.99
JAN181505    RED SONJA #15 CVR E MARQUES EXC SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $3.99
MAR181393    RED SONJA TARZAN #1 CVR A HUGHES    $3.99
MAR181394    RED SONJA TARZAN #1 CVR B LEE    $3.99
MAR181395    RED SONJA TARZAN #1 CVR C LOPRESTI    $3.99
MAR181396    RED SONJA TARZAN #1 CVR D GEOVANI    $3.99
MAR181397    RED SONJA TARZAN #1 CVR E SUBSCRIPTION DAVILA    $3.99
MAR181407    SHERLOCK HOLMES VANISHING MAN #1 CVR A CASSADAY    $3.99
MAR181527    SWASHBUCKLERS SAGA CONTINUES #2 CVR A GUICE    $3.99
MAR181528    SWASHBUCKLERS SAGA CONTINUES #2 CVR B MUTTI    $3.99
AUG171507    WALTER SIMONSON BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ART ED HC    $150.00

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 11, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

JAN181053    AMERICA TP VOL 02 FAST AND FUERTONA    $17.99
FEB180788    AVENGERS #688 LEG    $3.99
FEB180789    AVENGERS #688 SPROUSE END OF AN ERA VAR LEG    $3.99
JAN181075    AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION TP AVENGERS DEFENDERS WAR    $39.99
FEB180784    BEN REILLY SCARLET SPIDER #17 LEG    $3.99
JAN181045    CABLE TP VOL 02 NEWER MUTANTS    $15.99
FEB180754    CAPTAIN AMERICA #700 LEG    $5.99
FEB180795    CHAMPIONS #19 LEG    $3.99
JAN181054    DEADPOOL VS OLD MAN LOGAN TP    $15.99
FEB180897    DESPICABLE DEADPOOL #298 LEG    $3.99
FEB180776    DOCTOR STRANGE #388 LEG    $3.99
FEB180770    DOMINO #1    $3.99
FEB180762    EXILES #1    $3.99
FEB180861    FALCON #7 LEG    $3.99
JAN181030    HULK BY BROOKS VINYL POSTER    $34.99
JAN181048    JEAN GREY TP VOL 02 FINAL FIGHT    $15.99
OCT170990    MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 18    $75.00
OCT170991    MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 18 DM VAR ED 258    $75.00
FEB180895    OLD MAN LOGAN #38 LEG    $3.99
JAN181056    PETER PARKER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN TP VOL 02 MOST WANTED    $17.99
FEB180846    SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL #31 LEG    $3.99
JAN181051    SPIDER-MAN DEADPOOL TP VOL 05 ARMS RACE    $17.99
FEB180908    STAR WARS DARTH VADER #14    $3.99
FEB180903    STAR WARS THRAWN #3 (OF 6)    $3.99
FEB180863    THANOS #18 LEG    $3.99
FEB180824    TRUE BELIEVERS INFINITY GAUNTLET #1    $1.00
FEB180825    TRUE BELIEVERS THANOS RISING #1    $1.00
FEB180860    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #31 LEG    $3.99
JAN181052    UNBELIEVABLE GWENPOOL TP VOL 05 LOST IN THE PLOT    $15.99
FEB180803    VENOMIZED #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
FEB180805    VENOMIZED #2 (OF 5) BAGLEY CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
FEB180884    X-MEN BLUE #25 LEG    $4.99
OCT170994    X-MEN LEGIONQUEST HC    $75.00
FEB180880    X-MEN RED #3 LEG    $3.99


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I Reads You Juniors March 2018 - Update #61

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From BleedingCool:  "The Amazing Spider-Man #798" speculator clown show continues.

From THR:  "Justice League: No Justice" is a four-issue, weekly comic book miniseries that will affect the direction of the DCU.

From CatholicUniverse:  Catholic comic book creators have started a Kickstarter to raise money for a 50-page, full-color, "pro-life" graphic novel.

From TheOuthousers:  Sherard Jackson talks about his webcomic, "Darbi."

From Syfy:  Jimmy Palmiotti talks about the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign (which has already reached its goal) for a horror graphic novel, "Killing Time in America."

From Newsweek:  Marvel well begin publishing a "Fantastic Four" comic book again in August 2018 with writer Dan Slott and artist Sara Pichelli as the creative team.

From BleedingCool:  "Death of the Inhumans" in July.

From DCComicsBlog:  DC Comics signs Frank Miller to a five-project deal.

From BleedingCool:  Veteran comic book writer-artist William Messner-Loebs is currently homeless... and has one arm!

From BleedingCool:  Award-winning novelist Margaret Atwood and comic book artist unite for the comic book miniseries, "War Bears."

From BleedingCool:  Gail Simone talks about bringing together Tarzan and Red Sonja in a new comic book.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #156 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #156 in French.

From PublishersWeekly:  DC Comics signs Frank Miller to an exclusive book deal that is part of a larger strategy to increase its presence in the bookstore market.

From BleedingCool:  Classic horror comics character, Swamp Thing, is getting a redesign for his appearance in the new "Justice League Dark" comic book series.

From BleedingCool:  Julie Benson and Shawna Benson will be the new writers on "Green Lantern" beginning with "Green Lantern Annual 2."

From BleedingCool:  Only the first issue of "DC Nation #0" will cost .25 cents.

From Vibe:  Comic Book Anthology "Puerto Rico Strong" To Donate Proceeds To Hurricane Maria Relief Efforts

From PBSNewsHour:  Opinion: Why ‘Black Panther’ and other comic books belong in the classroom

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press solicitations for June 2018

From ComicBookBin:  New web comic - Johnny Bullet episode #155 in English
From ComicBookBin:  New web comic - Johnny Bullet episode #155 in French

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing solicitations for June 2018

From ComicsBeat:  Your crash course guide to DC’s new SANDMAN UNIVERSE line

From BleedingCool:  Archie meets "Batman '66" in... what else... "Archie Meets Batman '66."

From MonkeysFightingRobots:  "Free Comic Book Day" is not free for the retailers that offer comic books.  Diamond Distributors is offering some relief on those costs for FCBD 2018.

From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics will publish comic books that tie-in with Pixar's upcoming 3D animated film, "The Incredible 2."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics to translate and publish manga based on Batman and the Justice League.

From ComicBook:  The current "Marvel 2-in-One" will introduce new Fantastic Four costumes.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics has a plan to make retailers over-order on "A Fresh Start."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics launches a new line of collections called "Essential Edition."

From Newsarama:  Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonriders of Pern" returns to comic books via Dabel Brothers this fall.  Eclipse Books previously adapted the fantasy novel series into comics in 1991.

From BlackEnterprise:  Jazmin Truesdale has created Aza Comics, an all-female superhero comic book universe.

From BleedingCool:  There will be a new "Hawkman" monthly comic book written by Robert Vendetti and drawn by Bryan Hitch. [Good luck with that. - Editor]

From BleedingCool:  Chip Zdarsky Goes Marvel Exclusive

From SanDiegoUnionTribune:  With 'Black Panther' and 'Black Lightning' emerging, the 'Encyclopedia of Black Comics' is here to help

From Ohio: 23-year-old Jimmy Scott was killed in 1966.  His family hung onto his collection of over 1100 comic books, many of them key Silver Age issues.  Jimmy's family recently sold the collection to a comic book store in Canal Fulton, Ohio.

From Brightly: 12 Things Parents and Educators Should Know About Manga for Middle Schoolers

From BleedingCool:  100 most ordered comic books and 100 top graphic novels for February 2018.

From TheHollywoodReporter:  DC Comics announces a new imprint, "Black Label."  It will place the best creators with established characters for out-of-continuity stories.  "Superman: Year One" written by Frank Miller and drawn by John Romita, Jr. was one of the first announced titles.

From Newsarama:  February 2018 comic book sales are down, but with a caveat.

From Comicsverse:  Princess Leia manga arrives on "Star Wars Day."

From BleedingCool: Rich Tommaso giving us a really "special edition" of Clover Honey."

From BleedingCool:  Netflix acquires Rob Liefeld's "Extreme Universe" of characters.

From BleedingCool:   Former Marvel Comics editor and writer is now an editor at Valiant Entertainment.

From BleedingCool:  Chris Ryall steps down as Editor-in-Chief as IDW Publishing.

From TheHollywoodReporter:  Brian Michael Bendis has announced two new titles from "Jinxworld" (his creator-owned imprint), including one that reunites him with his "Alias" cohort, Michael Gaydos.  Both will be published by Bendis' new home, DC Comics.

From ComicBook:  Marvel will reinvent the origins of Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers.

From BleedingCool:  Mark Buckingham is adapting four Neil Gaiman stories for a graphic novel anthology from Dark Horse Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Illustrator J. Scott Campbell is the latest comic book star to express concern over the recent turns of events concerning legendary comic book creator and editor, Stan Lee.

From TheGuardian:  "Neil Gaiman is to oversee a new line of comic books set in the world of the Sandman, continuing the adventures of some of his best-loved characters including Dream of the Endless and Lucien the librarian."

From WCET:  Comic book store, "Memory Lane Comics and Toys" in Wilmington, NC, sees uptick in business after release of 'Black Panther'

From TokyoReporter: Manga artist Nobuhiro Nishiwaki fined for possessing child pornography

From Asahi:  Mongolians irate over manga showing penis on Genghis Khan

From BleedingCool:  To help alleviate the risk retailers take, Dark Horse Comics is expanding "returnability" of new titles.

From JapanToday:  In 2017, online sales of manga surpassed print editions for the first time.

From TheAtlantic:  Ta-Nehisi Coates explains why he is writing Marvel Comics "Captain America," with his first issue appearing Summer 2018.

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics Sends Care Packages to Comic Book Stores

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press is publishing a new edition of Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover's all-ages comic, "Banana Sundays."

From BleedingCool:  Diamond Brings Spinner Racks Back to Comic Stores


STAN LEE MELODRAMA:

From TheDailyMail:  Stan Lee fires manager and his nurse who gave him naked showers over 'plot to estrange him from his daughter and sole heir' as cops probe missing millions and he battles pneumonia

From TheDailyBeast: ‘Picked Apart by Vultures’: The Last Days of Stan Lee