Showing posts with label Greg Capullo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greg Capullo. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: THE SCORCHED #1

THE SCORCHED #1
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Sean Lewis; Todd McFarlane (additional dialogue)
ART: Stephen Segovia; Paulo Siqueira
COLORS: Ulises Arreola; Nikos Koutsis
LETTERS: Andworld Design (King Spawn)
EDITOR: Thomas Healy
COVER:  Puppeteer Lee
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Todd McFarlane with FCO Plascencia; Brett Booth and Todd McFarlane with FCO Plascencia; Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion with Dave McCaig; Don Aguillo; Marc Silvestri and Todd McFarlane with Peter Steigerwald; Ryan Stegman and Todd McFarlane with Peter Steigerwald
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (January 2022)

Rated: “T/ Teen”

Spawn created by Todd McFarlane


Spawn is a superhero/antihero character that stars in the long-running comic book series, Spawn.  Created by writer-artist Todd McFarlane, Spawn first appeared in Spawn #1 (cover dated: May 1992).

Spawn was Albert Francis “Al” Simmons.  A career military man who becomes a highly capable assassin and dies a violent death.  He makes a deal with the devil, Malebolgia, in order to return to the living realm to see his wife one last time.  However, Al returns with almost no memories accept that his name is Al Simmons, and he learns that he is now a “Hellspawn” in service of Malebolgia.  Rebelling, Al Simmons, now “Spawn,” finds a new purpose in stopping evil.

Back in February 2021, Todd McFarlane announced his plans to build a larger, multi-character, interconnected, comic book universe based around his Spawn comic book – a “Spawn Universe.”  McFarlane also announced four new comic book titles coming out in 2021, with three of them continuing as regular monthly titles.  The last of the three monthly titles, The Scorched, has arrived.

The Scorched is written by Sean Lewis; drawn by Stephen Segovia and Paulo Siqueira; colored by Ulises Arreola and Nikos Koutsis; and lettered by Andworld Design.  The Scorched features the debut of the “Spawn Universe's” first superhero team.

The Scorched #1 opens somewhere in RussiaMedieval Spawn, Gunslinger Spawn, Jessica Priest/She-Spawn, and Redeemer are trying to save two young women, Odessa Turgnev and Natasha Gorky, from the clutches of Russian Colonel Kruschev.

Before this, however, see how Spawn brought them together.  Or did he?  Who made whom?  Plus, Gunslinger Spawn takes on the “Locust Rangers” in Crowheart, Wyoming.  And Al and Terry argue and debate, again.

THE LOWDOWN:  I read Spawn #1 back in 1992, and I had mixed feelings about it.  Yet I was a fan and followed the series for another five or six years.  I've always expected more of it...

2021 saw the expansion of the Spawn publishing line and the full birth of the “Spawn Universe.”  Writer Sean Lewis is emerging in this new era as the most consequential writer of Spawn comic books since the creator-master himself, Todd McFarlane.  McFarlane's storytelling is full of craziness, in the tradition of classic comic book weirdness and in the vein of the madness that was and is Robert E. Howard.  Lewis embraces that craziness and, using his own inventive turns, delivers high-octane fight comics, dark fantasy violence, and edgy, angry character drama.  It wouldn't be Spawn without some monsters and some edgy people.

The art team of Stephen Segovia and Ulises Arreola and the team of Paulo Siqueira and Nikos Koutsis each deliver in a solid way, and the latter's textured illustrations and painterly colors stand out.  Andworld Design's matter-of-fact lettering delivers the real foot up the ass to your imagination.  The Scorched #1 is an excellent start and is the kind of first issue that will bring readers back for more of … whatever craziness is to come.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Spawn will want to read The Scorched.

[This comic book includes four back-up stories and “Spawning Ground” Presents “The Breakdown,” in which Todd McFarlane looks back at the beginning and at the year's covers.]

A-
★★★½ out of 4 stars

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


https://twitter.com/Todd_McFarlane
https://mcfarlane.com/
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and 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).


Tuesday, May 24, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: KING SPAWN #1

KING SPAWN #1
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Sean Lewis; Todd McFarlane (additional dialogue and back-up stories)
PENCILS: Javi Fernandez (King Spawn); Stephen Segovia (Haunt); Marcio Takara (Nightmare); Philip Tan (The Hero); Brett Booth (Gunslinger)
INKS: Javi Fernandez; Adelso Corona; Daniel Henriques
COLORS: FCO Plascencia (King Spawn); Andrew Dalhouse; Marcelo Maiolo; Peter Steigerwald; Dave McCaig
LETTERS: Andworld Design (King Spawn): Tom Orzechowski
EDITOR: Thomas Healy
COVER:  Puppeteer Lee
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Todd McFarlane with FCO Plascencia; David Finch with FCO Plascencia; Sean Gordon Murphy; Brett Booth and Todd McFarlane with FCO Plascencia; Greg Capullo and Todd McFarlane with FCO Plascencia; Donny Cates and Todd McFarlane
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Rated: “T/ Teen”

Spawn created by Todd McFarlane


Spawn is a superhero/antihero character that stars in the long-running comic book series, Spawn.  Created by writer-artist Todd McFarlane, Spawn first appeared in Spawn #1 (cover dated: May 1992).

Spawn was Albert Francis “Al” Simmons.  A career military man who becomes a highly capable assassin and dies a violent death.  He makes a deal with the devil, Malebolgia, in order to return to the living realm to see his wife one last time.  However, Al returns with almost no memories accept that his name is Al Simmons, and he learns that he is now a “Hellspawn” in service of Malebolgia.  Rebelling, Al Simmons, now “Spawn,” finds a new purpose in stopping evil.

Back in February (2021), Todd McFarlane announced his plans to build a larger, multi-character, interconnected, comic book universe based around his Spawn comic book – a “Spawn Universe.”  McFarlane also announced four new comic book titles coming out in 2021, with three of them continuing as regular monthly titles.  The first of the three titles, King Spawn, has arrived.

King Spawn is written by Sean Lewis; drawn by Javi Fernandez; colored by FCO Plascencia; lettered by Andworld Design.  King Spawn finds Spawn battling one of his old adversaries, but it is someone only Spawn knows that exists.

King Spawn #1 opens at an elementary school in Seattle, Washington.  There, a bombing kills sixteen people, including fourteen children aged five and six years old.  Spawn and Jessica Priest (She-Spawn) surreptitiously attend the funeral of one of the children, and Spawn, enraged, tells Priest that he knows who committed this crime and that he is going after them.

The suspects include a legendary angel, Metatron, and perhaps, an underground religious group, “Psalms 137.”  Or maybe, the people behind the bombing are fans...

THE LOWDOWN:  I read Spawn #1 back in 1992, and I had mixed feelings about it.  Yet I was a fan and followed the series for another five or six years.

2021 finds me reading my a Spawn title first-issue for the first time since I read Curse of the Spawn #1 back in 1996.  I like the main story in King Spawn #1.  In fact, Sean Lewis has written the best first issue for an ongoing Spawn comic that I have read to date.  His dialogue is sharp and natural-like, which I can't say for Spawn creator Todd McFarlane's dialogue and exposition, which often describes things that we can see in the art.  Lewis' script is lean and mean, and Lewis does something at which McFarlane is quite good – make the reader feel for the victims.

I've always preferred my Spawn comic books to be drawn by McFarlane, but as a businessman from the beginning of Spawn, he really could not commit to drawing Spawn on a regular basis past the first two years of the original series.  However, Javi Fernandez's art and storytelling shares a sensibility with McFarlane's art that will satisfy me.

So far, I find that King Spawn #1 is the closest to what I will get to those early days of Spawn.  Also, the ending makes me want to come back for more.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Spawn will want to read King Spawn.

[This comic book includes four back-up stories and “Spawning Ground” Presents “The Breakdown,” in which Todd McFarlane and Sean Lewis interview each other.]

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



https://twitter.com/Todd_McFarlane
https://mcfarlane.com/
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


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

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

Amazon wants me to inform 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).


Thursday, May 5, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: SPAWN #300

SPAWN #300
IMAGE COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Todd McFarlane with Scott Snyder (Chapter 2)
PENCILS: Greg Capullo (Chapter 1); Todd McFarlane (2); Jason Shawn Alexander (3) J. Scott Campbell (4); Jerome Opeña (5)
INKS: Todd McFarlane with Jonathan Glapion and J. Scott Campbell
COLORS: FCO Plascencia; Brian Haberlin; Peter Steigerwald; Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: Tom Orzechowski
EiC: Jon Goff
COVER: Todd McFarlane
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Todd McFarlane; Greg Capullo; Greg Capullo and Todd McFarlane; J. Scott Campbell; Jerome Opeña; Jason Shawn Alexander; 
72pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (September 2019)

Spawn created by Todd McFarlane

Spawn is a superhero/antihero character that stars in the long-running comic book series, Spawn.  Published by Image Comics since its first issue, Spawn is Image's longest running title and, in terms of number of issues, is one of the longest-running independently-published comic book series in American comics history.  [When I use the term, “independently-published,” I mean that it is not published by a comic book publisher like Marvel or DC Comics that is owned by a media conglomerate.]

Created by writer-artist and Image co-founder, Todd McFarlane, Spawn first appeared in Spawn #1 (cover dated: May 1992).  Spawn is Albert Francis Simmons.  He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps, and he went on to work for the United States Secret Service and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).  Simmons joined the U.S. Security Group as a highly capable assassin, but is murdered during a mission.

Because of his life as an assassin, Simmons is sent to Hell where he made a deal with Malebolgia, one of the major Lords of Hell.  Simmons agreed to become a “Hellspawn” (an officer in Hell's army) and to serve Malebolgia if he is allowed to see his wife, Wanda, one last time.  While Malebolgia does return Simmons to Earth as a creature named “Spawn,” he stripped Simmons of his memories.  Eventually, Spawn decided to break his agreement Hell, and then, began a long campaign to stop the forces of evil.

Spawn has reached its three-hundredth issue, and like he did for Spawn #100 and Spawn #200, McFarlane adds big names to this special issue's creative team.  That includes DC Comics' superstar, Scott Snyder, as co-writer; superstar comic book artist Greg Capullo; rising star, Jerome Opeña; artist Jason Shawn Alexander; and variant cover hustler, J. Scott Campbell.  Colorists FCO Plascencia, Brian Haberlin, Peter Steigerwald, and Matt Hollingsworth join longtime Spawn letterer Tom Orzechowski to complete the creative team.

Spawn #300 opens in Kearney, Nebraska, where the Johnston family is having its annual family reunion during the first weekend of August, as it has for the last twenty-six years.  What is different this year is that there is a killer among them.

Meanwhile, Spawn continues his mission to free humanity from the clutches of both Heaven and Hell.  Having already freed his own ass, Spawn is without his allies from Hell, and Heaven sure hasn't stopped being his enemy.  Now, Spawn must face two of his oldest adversaries, the Clown and Violator.  While Spawn fights to survive to the next stage of his struggle, new allies, however, are emerging...

I was a Spawn reader from the first issue back in 1992.  I even read spin-off miniseries and ongoing series like Angela (Image Comics, 1994-1995), Curse of the Spawn (Image Comics, 1996-1999), and Spawn/WildC.A.T.S. (Image Comics, 1996).  I stuck with Spawn for almost six years.  Why did I quit?  The story never really seemed to be going anywhere, and the story was stuck in a rut.  It was always about Spawn either pining for his life as Al Simmons or struggling against his destiny as a “Hellspawn,” a member of the officer corps that would lead the forces of Hell.

Twenty-seven years later, Spawn has not changed much.  Spawn is still struggling against Hell, but now he sees Hell and Heaven as interchangeable adversaries.  Spawn wants to lead humanity in a war against both sides in order to free itself, as he did.

Todd McFarlane, like many of his Image Comics cohorts, launched Image with comic books that looked like superhero comics.  However, these superheroes were military types – special operatives, secret agents, mercenaries, etc., and the stories featured the kind of action and violence of military science fiction and fantasy.  Quite frankly, the initial Image Comics titles were closer to movies like James Carmeron's Aliens (1986) and select titles from actor-screenwriter Sylvester Stallone's filmography (especially the Rambo film series) than they were like classic comic books.  Sure, some Image titles had a passing resemblance to Marvel and DC Comics titles.  Cyberforce and WildC.A.T.s shared elements with Marvel's X-Men, and Spawn had more than a passing resemblance to Batman, especially to the Batman of Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.  Still, Image Comics was introducing new kinds of superheroes to the American comic book artists.

The problem was that Todd McFarlane and his Image colleagues were never really good at the techniques of writing comic books.  They were all about big action-oriented illustrations that depicted violence and characters in action-figure poses.  Comics uses graphics, including illustrations, to tell stories.  Pretty art, overwrought, “detailed” art, and striking visuals does not really tell a story.

However, it is good to see the art team of Greg Capullo (pencils) and McFarlane (inks) back together.  The Capullo-McFarlane team drew most of the issues of Spawn that I read, so their reunion in Spawn #300 gives me a nice feeling of nostalgia.  Nothing else in this issue registers with me, although I must say J. Scott Campbell is perfectly utilized here.  The chapter that Campbell draws, which introduces “She-Spawn,” epitomizes the low-brow, exploitation, speculator-market crap heap from which Campbell emerged on his way to being a “superstar creator” and comic book “legend.”

The coloring and lettering in Spawn #300 are of professional quality but don't make the issue feel like the landmark it should be.  In the end, I did find some things in Spawn #300 that I liked, enough to make me be generous with me grading.

★★★ out of 4 stars

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

https://twitter.com/Todd_McFarlane
https://mcfarlane.com/
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imagecomics/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Image-Comics-Inc/178643148813259
https://www.twitch.tv/imagecomics
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHmaKLo0FXWIPx-3n6qs3vQ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/image-comics/


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and 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).


Wednesday, October 6, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: NOCTERRA #1

NOCTERRA #1
IMAGE COMICS/Best Jacket Press

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Scott Snyder
ART: Tony S. Daniels
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Tony S. Daniels with Tomeu Morey
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jock; Bosslogic; Greg Capullo
36pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (March 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“FULL THROTTLE DARK”


Nocterra is a new comic book series from writer Scott Snyder and artist Tony S. Daniels.  Published by Image Comics, Nocterra is set on an Earth that has been experiencing an everlasting night for well over a decade.  Colorist Tomeu Morey and letterer Andworld Design complete the series' creative team.

Nocterra #1 opens in Denver, Colorado in the fifth grade class of Valentina “Val” Riggs.  This is the day of the “Big PM,” when the sky goes dark and the world is plunged into an everlasting night.  Any living organism left unlit in the dark for more than 10 hours starts undergoing a biological transformation and changes into a monstrous version of itself, becoming something called a “Shade.”

Thirteen years later (“13 PM”), Val is a big rig hauler, driving a heavily-illuminated 18-wheeler, and her call sign in “Sundog.”  She is a skilled “ferryman” who transports people and goods along deadly unlit roads between the few remaining human outposts.  At Luxville, Colorado, a well-lit outpost, Val hopes to find her brother Emory a.k.a. “Em” in better condition.  Waiting for Val, however, are two people with a request for help that she cannot refuse and that will change everything.

THE LOWDOWN:  I enjoy Scott Snyder's creator-owned series more than I enjoy his recent work for DC Comics.  I find all that Dark Nights: Metal stuff mostly unreadable, but I enjoyed Wytches (2014-15).

Nocterra #1 is a strong first issue because it offers so much information.  Snyder keeps a lot of secrets, but he gives readers a clear understanding of the basics when it comes to the lead character, the setting, and the plot.  Of course, the next few issues will thrill the readers with shocking reveals and new mysteries, but Snyder does not leave me with the maddening feeling that instead of reading the first issue of a comic book I have actually read a teaser.  Andworld Design's lettering conveys the shifts in tone of the dialogue, from the introspection of Val to the urgent appeals of her brother, Em.

Readers may be surprised to see how subdued Tony Daniels' art is.  His pencils are subtle and impressionistic, more original Mad Max than Mad Max: Fury Road.  The inking captures the nuance in the characterization and the action.  Daniels plus colorist Tomeu Morey is always a good thing, and here, Morey creates the sense of an eternal night dotted by the neon twilight of the human outposts.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniels will want to sample Nocterra.

8 out of 10

[This comic book includes “A Note from Scott,” an afterword by Scott Snyder.]

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



https://twitter.com/Ssnyder1835
https://www.instagram.com/ssnyder1835/
https://twitter.com/TonyDanielx2
https://tonydaniel.bigcartel.com/
https://twitter.com/tomeu_morey
https://twitter.com/deronbennett
https://twitter.com/andworlddesign
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


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

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

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


Thursday, July 16, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: BATMAN: Last Knight on Earth #3

BATMAN: LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH No. 3 (OF 3)
DC COMICS/DC Black Label – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Greg Capullo
INKS: Jonathan Glapion
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Mark Doyle
COVER: Greg Capullo with FCO Plascencia
VARIANT COVER: Rafael Albuquerque
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (February 2020)

Mature Readers

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Parts (Eight) “The Signal” and (Nine) “The Doorway”

Batman: Last Knight on Earth was a three-issue comic book miniseries written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Greg Capullo (pencils) and Jonathan Glapion (inks).  Colorist FCO Plascencia and letterer Tom Napolitano complete the creative team.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth was the second release in DC Comics' then new prestige and event publication imprint, “DC Black Label.”  Batman: Last Knight on Earth follows a younger version of Bruce Wayne/Batman as he travels a ruined Earth, with the bottled, still-alive head of The Joker in tow, trying to find the mysterious power that devastated the world.  Eventually Batman learns that the master of this scorched Earth, known as Omega, is apparently another younger version Wayne/Batman.  He also reunites with several former allies, including, Dick Grayson-Nightwing, the former Commissioner James “Jim” Gordon, Diana/Wonder Woman, and Duke Thomas, to name a few.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth #3 opens with a flashback to the old days, as Batman and Commissioner Gordon ignite a new Bat-signal.  Then it is back to the future as Batman gathers his allies for an assault on Omega.  Batman and Joker will attempt to infiltrate Wayne Tower, Omega's base of operations, and Diana will lead the allies and Owls to Arkham Island where the a mind-control signal is broadcast from inside Arkham Asylum.  But there are adversaries awaiting both fronts of Batman's mission, and this last knight will learn the true identity of Omega.

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are the most popular Batman writer-artist team of this still young twenty-first century, and they are also among the most prolific of the last 50 years.  I can say that Snyder-Capullo is thus far the best Batman creative team of these new times.

Snyder's Batman reminds me of the Batman/Bruce Wayne that Frank Miller and artist David Mazzuchelli introduced to readers in the Batman: Year One story arc (originally published in the comic book, Batman, issues #404-407).  He is young, fresh, and determined with a somewhat humanitarian bent, but is still a fist or boot for justice.

Capullo's Batman is sleek and youthful, a combination of science fiction and technology character design mixed with Batman's original pulp fiction origin (in particularly, Walter Gibson's The Shadow).  Inker Jonathan Glapion keeps Capullo's clean-line clean.

FCO Plascencia's colors blend superhero pop-art style with the science fiction comics futuristic dreams of Moebius.  Letterer Tom Napolitano letters for the end of the world, but still fashions a comic font so that The Joker and his dialogue can stand out in the edginess with splashes of color.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth #3 is an emotional finale to a quality Batman comic book miniseries.  I think Snyder and Capullo are saying that from time to time, like clockwork, Batman and his mission turn sour.  Then, it is a time for renewal, and that is the story Batman: Last Knight on Earth tells.  And in our world, the Batman line of comic books sometimes turns stale and over the past 80 years, there are have been renewals, revamps, and reboots.  Is it time for another?

8 out of 10

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


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


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


Tuesday, June 16, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: YEAR OF THE VILLAIN SPECIAL #1

DC'S YEAR OF THE VILLAIN SPECIAL No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

EDITOR: Mike Cotton; Marie Javins
COVER: Greg Capullo and FCO
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jim Cheung with Tomeu Morey; Alex Maleev; Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
32pp, Color, 0.25¢ U.S. (July 2019)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

DC Comics' “Year of the Villain” is a crossover comic book event that officially kicks off in July 2019 with Year of the Villain: The Offer.  Although the beginnings of the event have already been hinted at in regular DC Comics titles like Action Comics, on May 1st, 2019, readers got a first look at “Year of the Villain” a specially priced comic book.

DC's Year of the Villain Special #1 is a .25¢ special preview comic book.  It contains what are essentially the three opening or prologue chapters of “Year of the Villain.”  They are “Doom,” “Leviathan,” and “Justice.”  The final eight pages of this comic book comprise an article that offers text pieces, art, sketches, and a list of 20 individual comic book issues that lead up to the official beginning of “Year of the Villain.”

The following paragraphs include a brief synopsis and review of each of the three chapters offered in DC's Year of the Villain Special #1:

Doom

STORY: Scott Snyder
ART: Jim Cheung
COLOR: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Marie Javins

Amanda Blake Waller, the leader of multiple clandestine agencies, including “Task Force X” (a.k.a. The Suicide Squad), has arrived at the White House for a meeting with the President of the United States.  What she finds instead is Lex Luthor and the Legion of Doom.  Luthor has an offer to make Waller and every supervillain on Earth.

I wasn't planning on reading “Year of the Villain,” but this tense, exciting, eight-page piece got me interested in this event.  I generally don't like comic book events, but...  Plus, there is a shocking ending, and I rarely can resist the lovely art of Jim Cheung, in this case, expertly colored by the great Tomeu Morey.

Leviathan

STORY: Brian Michael Bendis
ART: Alex Maleev
COLORS: Alex Maleev
LETTERS: Josh Reed
EDITOR: Mike Cotton

Batgirl has arrived in Seattle to join Green Arrow in battling Merlyn.  However, Merlyn is desperate to tell them something... until Leviathan arrives.  Later, Robin (Damian Wayne) has a shocking question to ask his father, Batman.

This chapter does not start off that strongly; then, it explodes.  Plus, the last panel with Damian offers an explosive surprise.  Oh, and I can't resist the team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev.

Justice

STORY: James Tynion IV
ART: Francis Manapul
COLOR: Francis Manapul
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Marie Javins

The Justice League is at the “Universe's End,” trying to save the Gorathian System from the void.  With so much mind-bending rescues to make, Superman announces that it is time to make the League grow.  Which heroes will get the call?  Batman has a simple answer.

If you are still in doubt about “Year of the Villain,” this eight-page treat will put those doubts to rest.  I think you will want to at least sample some more.  Plus, this story offers lovely Francis Manapul art.

DC Insider: Year of the Villain

WRITER: Andrew Serwin
EDITOR: Mike Cotton

There is a lot of information here.  The lists of pertinent comic books that readers will need to fully enjoy the beginnings of “Year of the Villain” will make preview comic book a must-have.

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 or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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



Monday, June 15, 2020

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 17, 2020

DC COMICS

MAR200597    AQUAMAN GIANT #4    $4.99
MAR200614    BATGIRL TP VOL 07 ORACLE RISING    $19.99
MAR200521    BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #13    $3.99
MAR200522    BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #13 MICHAEL GOLDEN VAR ED    $3.99
MAR200626    CATWOMAN TP VOL 03 FRIEND OR FOE (RES)    $16.99
MAR200583    DAPHNE BYRNE #5 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
MAR200584    DAPHNE BYRNE #5 (OF 6) SEBASTIAN FIUMARA VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
MAR200477    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6)    $4.99
JAN208909    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6) BLACK BLANK VAR ED    $4.99
MAR200478    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6) DAVID FINCH BATMAN VAR ED    $4.99
MAR200479    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6) MATTINA SUPERMAN VAR ED    $4.99
MAR200482    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6) MIDNIGHT PARTY VARIANT    $4.99
MAR200480    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6) STANLEY LAU WONDER WOMAN V    $4.99
MAR200634    DC COMICS THE ASTONISHING ART OF AMANDA CONNER HC    $39.99
FEB200526    DETECTIVE COMICS #475 FACSIMILE EDITION    $3.99
MAR200629    DIAL H FOR HERO TP VOL 02 NEW HEROES OF METROPOLIS    $16.99
FEB200449    FLASH ANNUAL #3    $4.99
MAR200641    FLASH TP VOL 12 DEATH AND THE SPEED FORCE    $17.99
MAR200539    GREEN LANTERN SEASON 2 #4 (OF 12)    $3.99
MAR200540    GREEN LANTERN SEASON 2 #4 (OF 12) MATTEO SCALERA VAR ED    $3.99
MAR200543    HAWKMAN #24    $3.99
MAR200544    HAWKMAN #24 GERARDO ZAFFINO VAR ED    $3.99
FEB200559    JOKER DELUXE EDITION HC    $34.99
MAR200649    JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 05 JUSTICE DOOM WAR    $24.99
FEB200476    METAL MEN #7 (OF 12)    $3.99
FEB200477    METAL MEN #7 (OF 12) BRIAN BOLLAND VAR ED    $3.99
FEB200480    NIGHTWING ANNUAL #3    $4.99
FEB200424    PRIMER TP    $9.99
FEB200481    QUESTION THE DEATHS OF VIC SAGE #3 (OF 4)    $6.99
FEB200482    QUESTION THE DEATHS OF VIC SAGE #3 (OF 4) H CHAYKIN VAR ED    $6.99
FEB200493    SUPERMAN #22    $3.99
FEB200494    SUPERMAN #22 BRYAN HITCH VAR ED    $3.99
FEB200580    TERRIFICS TP VOL 03 THE GOD GAME    $16.99
MAR200577    WONDER WOMAN #757    $3.99
MAR200578    WONDER WOMAN #757 CARD STOCK OLIVIER COIPEL VAR ED    $4.99
FEB200501    WONDER WOMAN DEAD EARTH #3 (OF 4) (MR)    $6.99
FEB200502    WONDER WOMAN DEAD EARTH #3 (OF 4) DANIEL JOHNSON VAR ED (MR)    $6.99
MAR200674    YEAR OF THE VILLAIN HELL ARISEN TP    $16.99
FEB200425    YOU BROUGHT ME THE OCEAN TP    $16.99
FEB200507    YOUNG JUSTICE #15    $3.99
FEB200508    YOUNG JUSTICE #15 BEN CALDWELL VAR ED    $3.99

Friday, June 12, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: BATMAN: Last Knight on Earth #2

BATMAN: LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH No. 2 (OF 3)
DC COMICS/DC Black Label – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Greg Capullo
INKS: Jonathan Glapion
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Mark Doyle
COVER: Greg Capullo with FCO Plascencia
VARIANT COVER: Jock
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (September 2019)

Mature Readers

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Parts (Five) “Who's There?,” (Six) “The Miracle,” (Seven) “Paradise”

Batman: Last Knight on Earth is a three-issue comic book miniseries written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Greg Capullo (pencils) and Jonathan Glapion (inks).  Colorist FCO Plascencia and letterer Tom Napolitano complete the creative team.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth is the second release in DC Comics' new prestige and event publication imprint, “DC Black Label.”  The series follows Batman as he travels a ruined Earth, with the bottled, still-alive head of The Joker in tow, trying to find the mysterious power that devastated the world.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth #2 opens as Batman awakens from a nightmare featuring Joe Chill, the man who killed Bruce Wayne's parents.  During Batman and Joker's continued travel, they encounter what is left of the Flash, the Unknown Soldier, and the Swamp Thing.  They also encounter the strange union of the Scarecrow and Bane, and more.  Then, it's off to “The Plains of Solitude” where Batman meets two old friends.

However, things are not what they seem when that reunion with old friends also comes with the appearance of a familiar super-villain, who may be the cause of the devastation of the Earth.  Finally, “Omega” the master of this scorched Earth, steps forward, and Batman learns that this monster has an uncomfortable connection to him.

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are the most popular Batman writer-artist pairing of this still young twenty-first century, and they are also among the most prolific of the last 50 years.  Snyder has portrayed Bruce Wayne as young and sleek with a humanitarian bent.  Snyder's Batman seems like a continuation of the Batman/Bruce Wayne that Frank Miller and artist David Mazzuchelli introduced to readers in the Batman: Year One story arc (originally published in the comic book, Batman, issues #404-407).  In artist Greg Capullo's Batman, science fiction and technology sit side by side with dark conspiracy and horror.  Capullo's clean-line style makes Batman and his world seem fresh, thanks to the contributions of inker Jonathan Glapion.

So is Batman: Last Knight on Earth Snyder and Capullo's Batman swan song?  If it is, this miniseries will only make readers want more.  Hugely imaginative and possessing high tension, Last Knight on Earth presents shocking twists and heart-breaking turns that don't seem contrived.  Snyder makes Batman so human and so vulnerable, and Capullo's sharp illustrations present eye-catching hellish landscapes designed to break us down as Batman's journey heightens his sense of guilt

FCO Plascencia continues to offer colors that recall the late Moebius' color art; the colors are pretty, but they smack that apocalyptic ass.  Tom Napolitano letters the end of the world, but saves some clever fonts in order to make the Joker's silliness seem genuinely funny.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth #2 is a fine middle issue, and teases an excellent final issue.  If you are only reading one Batman comic book, then, this is the one to read.

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 or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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



Wednesday, May 6, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: BATMAN: Last Knight on Earth #1

BATMAN: LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH No. 1 (OF 3)
DC COMICS/DC Black Label – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Greg Capullo
INKS: Jonathan Glapion
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Mark Doyle
COVER: Greg Capullo with FCO Plascencia
VARIANT COVER: Jock
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (July 2019)

Mature Readers

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Parts (One) “The Cave,” (Two) “The Right Hand,” (Three) “The Asylum,” (Four) “Echolocation”

Batman: Last Knight on Earth is a new three-issue comic book miniseries written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Greg Capullo (pencils) and Jonathan Glapion (inks).  Colorist FCO Plascencia and letterer Tom Napolitano complete the creative team.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth is the second release in DC Comics' new prestige and event publication imprint, “DC Black Label.”  The series follows Batman as he travels a ruined Earth, trying to find the mysterious power that devastated the world.

Batman: Last Knight on Earth #1 opens with Batman facing a strange crime wave in Gotham City.  There are no victims.  For the past 363 days, someone has drawn a chalk line across a different, random five-foot stretch of Gotham – every morning.  The next day, it is gone and replaced by a new chalk line somewhere else.  Batman has discovered the chalk lines have something to do with him, and the answer to this mystery seems surprisingly to be at “Crime Alley,” the place where Bruce Wayne's parents were murdered.

After he wakes up in Arkham Asylum, however, as a young man, a sane young man, Bruce Wayne realizes that he has never been Batman.  And the world, destroyed by an unspeakable force, really needs Batman.

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are not only the most popular Batman writer-artist pairing of this still young twenty-first century; they are also among the most prolific of the last 50 years.  Snyder has portrayed Bruce Wayne as young and sleek with a humanitarian bent and Batman as being closer to Iron Man than to Frank Miller's Batman the Dark Knight.  In fact, I would say that Snyder's Batman/Bruce Wayne is really a continuation of the superhero/alter-ego pair Miller and artist David Mazzuchelli introduced to readers in the Batman: Year One story arc (originally published in the comic book, Batman, issues #404-407).

Greg Capullo's illustrations during his run with Batman presents a Gotham City where the Justice League fit as well as the Joker does.  Science fiction and technology sit side by side with dark conspiracy and horror.  Even Capullo's clean-line style makes Batman and his world seem fresh, thanks to the contributions of inker Jonathan Glapion.

FCO Plascencia colors this book as if he were coloring Moebius' art, with colors that shimmer, shine, and glow.  Tom Napolitano, who apparently does not contribute enough to have his name on the cover of this comic book, is one of the most distinctive and talented letters in comic books.  Neapolitan makes the shifting settings and surreal-like turns in plot coalesce into a single narrative.

That is the championship creative team that Batman: Last Knight on Earth #1 has.  I am reluctant to spoil anything in this first issue.  The sudden changes in plot and setting are bracing and promise a Batman story that may indeed by memorable... and worthy of the ambitions of DC Comics' “DC Black Label” imprint.

If Batman: Last Knight on Earth is going to be a “last Batman story” it should be better than most “last particular superhero” stories.  Batman: Last Knight on Earth #1 alone is quite a humdinger.

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 or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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



Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Review: DCEASED #1

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

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tom Taylor
PENCILS: Trevor Hairsine; James Harren
INKS: Stefano Gaudiano; James Harren
COLORS: Rain Beredo
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte
EDITOR: Ben Abernathy
COVER: Greg Capullo with FCO Plascencia
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S./ U.S. (July 2019)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

“Going Viral”

DCeased is a new six-issue comic book series from DC Comics.  It chronicles the heroes of the DC Universe and their desperate struggle to end a techno-virus that is turning the people of earth into engines of destruction.  The first issue of the series is written by Tom Taylor.  It is drawn by Trevor Hairsine, (pencils), James Harren (pencils/inks); and Stefano Gaudiano (inks).  Colorist Rain Beredo; letterer Saida Temofonte; and editor Ben Abernathy complete the creative team.

DCeased #1 (“Going Viral”) opens with the Justice League ending their latest battle against evil New God, Darkseid, and his legion of Parademons.  The League:  Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Black Lightning, Aquaman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Nightwing have had enough of Darkseid's invasions of Earth, and Batman warns him against returning again.  Darkseid's parting words, uttered as he retreats, are ominous enough that they should be accompanied by an equally ominous musical arrangement.

It seems that during the battle, the Parademons have taken possession of Justice League member, Cyborg, for their boss.  Now, Darkseid and his master torturer, DeSaad, have a plan to merge the half of the anti-life equation in their possession with the half inside Cyborg.  And their plot requires the participation of the New Gods' avatar of Death, Black Racer.  But the best laid schemes o' DC mice and New Gods...  Darkseid is about to unleash something that is beyond monstrous.

I was cynical about DCeased.  I am no longer a fan of event comic book miniseries that feature large cast of superheroes and/or supervillains.  I started to hear whispers and grumblings, however, that DCeased was a good read, and guess what boys and girls?  It really is.

Unlike many first issues that tease so much that they barely introduce the plot or even all the main characters, DCeased #1 gets right to the point.  Writer Tom Taylor serves up the main course, handing out the meat for the beast.  I don't know if this entire miniseries will be good, but damn, we have quite the first issue – with a killer-ass last page, too, boo!  And it all reads well under letterer Saida Temofonte's fear-inducing fonts of the living dead.

I really like artist James Harren's eight-page New Gods' segment, which is pivotal to the story.  Colorist Rain Beredo covers Harren's illustrations with garish, acid-dropped, nightmarish colors.  Together, Taylor, Harren, and Beredo create comic book ickiness.  Meanwhile, Trevor Hairsine and Stefano Gaudiano focus on drawing the apocalypse with glee.

So, yeah, DCeased #1 is a real-deal good comic book, the anti-life antidote for the cynical comic book purchaser.  So let's hope this series stays good.

9 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 or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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



Monday, October 28, 2019

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 30, 2019

DC COMICS

AUG190469    AQUAMAN GIANT #1    $4.99
AUG190432    BASKETFUL OF HEADS #1 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
AUG190433    BASKETFUL OF HEADS #1 (OF 6) CARD STOCK VAR ED (MR)    $4.99
AUG190489    BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS ANNUAL #1    $4.99
AUG190484    BATMAN ANNUAL #4    $4.99
APR190526    BATMAN BY SNYDER & CAPULLO OMNIBUS HC VOL 01    $125.00
MAR190623    DC ARTISTS ALLEY BATMAN BY GROMAN VINYL FIG    $65.00
MAR190625    DC ARTISTS ALLEY JOKER BY GROMAN VINYL FIG    $65.00
MAR190626    DC ARTISTS ALLEY KILLER CROC BY GROMAN VINYL FIG    $65.00
MAR190624    DC ARTISTS ALLEY TWO FACE BY GROMAN VINYL FIG    $65.00
AUG190470    DC GHOSTS GIANT #1    $4.99
SEP190003    DC PREVIEWS #19 NOVEMBER 2019 EXTRAS    $PI
AUG190505    DCEASED #6 (OF 6)    $4.99
AUG190507    DCEASED #6 (OF 6) CARD STOCK HORROR VAR ED    $5.99
AUG190506    DCEASED #6 (OF 6) CARD STOCK VAR ED    $5.99
AUG190586    DOLLAR COMICS SUPERMAN #75    $1.00
AUG190524    HARLEEN #2 (OF 3) (MR)    $7.99
AUG190525    HARLEEN #2 (OF 3) VAR ED (MR)    $7.99
AUG190446    JOKER KILLER SMILE #1 (OF 3) (MR)    $5.99
AUG190447    JOKER KILLER SMILE #1 (OF 3) VAR ED (MR)    $5.99
AUG190448    LAST GOD #1 (MR)    $4.99
AUG190449    LAST GOD #1 CARD STOCK VAR ED (MR)    $4.99
FEB190594    LUCIFER OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 (MR)    $125.00
AUG190548    NIGHTWING ANNUAL #2    $4.99
AUG190456    SANDMAN UNIVERSE SPECIAL HELLBLAZER #1 (MR)    $4.99
AUG190457    SANDMAN UNIVERSE SPECIAL HELLBLAZER #1 VAR ED (MR)    $4.99
AUG190462    TALES FROM THE DARK MULTIVERSE DEATH OF SUPERMAN #1    $5.99
JUL190665    VAMPS THE COMPLETE COLLECTION TP (MR)    $39.99
JUL190666    WILD STORM TP VOL 04 (RES)    $16.99
AUG190572    WONDER WOMAN ANNUAL #3    $4.99

Monday, September 2, 2019

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 4, 2019

IMAGE COMICS

JUL190079    BATTLEPUG #1 CVR A NORTON & PASSALAQUA    $3.99
JUL190080    BATTLEPUG #1 CVR B SAMNEE & WILSON    $3.99
JUL190116    BIRTHRIGHT #39    $3.99
JUL190119    CROWDED #9 CVR A STEIN BRANDT & FARRELL    $3.99
JUL190120    CROWDED #9 CVR B LEONG    $3.99
JUN190056    CURSE WORDS #24 CVR A BROWNE (MR)    $3.99
JUN190057    CURSE WORDS #24 CVR B BROWNE INTERCONNECTED (MR)    $3.99
JUL190123    DIE #7 CVR A HANS (MR)    $3.99
JUL190124    DIE #7 CVR B LAUFFRAY (MR)    $3.99
JUL190103    INFINITE DARK TP VOL 02    $16.99
MAY190050    OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA TP VOL 07 (MR)    $16.99
JUL190083    PRETTY DEADLY RAT #1 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
JUN190085    REDNECK #23 (MR)    $3.99
JUL190156    SEA OF STARS #3    $3.99
JUL190157    SECTION ZERO #6 (OF 6) CVR A GRUMMETT & KESEL    $3.99
JUL190158    SECTION ZERO #6 (OF 6) CVR B HUGHES    $3.99
JUL190159    SECTION ZERO #6 (OF 6) CVR C IMMONEN    $3.99
JUL190164    SPACE BANDITS #3 (OF 5) CVR A SCALERA (MR)    $3.99
JUL190165    SPACE BANDITS #3 (OF 5) CVR B SCALERA (MR)    $3.99
JUL190166    SPACE BANDITS #3 (OF 5) CVR C LEGENDS VAR SIMONSON  (MR    $0.75
JUN190014    SPAWN #300 CVR A MCFARLANE    $7.99
JUN190015    SPAWN #300 CVR B B&W MCFARLANE    $7.99
JUN190016    SPAWN #300 CVR C CAPULLO    $7.99
JUN190017    SPAWN #300 CVR D CAPULLO VIRGIN    $7.99
JUN190018    SPAWN #300 CVR E CAPULLO & MCFARLANE    $7.99
JUN190019    SPAWN #300 CVR F B&W CAPULLO & MCFARLANE    $7.99
JUN190020    SPAWN #300 CVR G CAMPBELL    $7.99
JUN190021    SPAWN #300 CVR H OPENA    $7.99
JUN190022    SPAWN #300 CVR I ALEXANDER    $7.99
JUN190023    SPAWN #300 CVR J PARODY VAR MCFARLANE    $7.99
JUN199041    SPAWN #300 CVR M CAMPBELL VIRGIN    $7.99
JUN199042    SPAWN #300 CVR N CAMPBELL B&W    $7.99
JUN199043    SPAWN #300 CVR O OPENA VIRGIN    $7.99
JUN199044    SPAWN #300 CVR P OPENA B&W    $7.99
JUN199116    SPAWN #300 CVR Q BLANK SKETCH CVR    $7.99
MAR190069    SPAWN VAULT ED HC VOL 02    $175.00
JUL190110    WALKING DEAD HC VOL 16 (MR)    $34.99
APR190032    WICKED & DIVINE #45 CVR A MCKELVIE & WILSON (MR)    $3.99
APR190033    WICKED & DIVINE #45 CVR B JAIMES (MR)    $3.99

Monday, August 19, 2019

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 21, 2019

IMAGE COMICS

JUN190053    CRIMINAL #7 (MR)    $3.99
JUN190062    EXCELLENCE #4 CVR A RANDOLPH & LOPEZ    $3.99
JUN190063    EXCELLENCE #4 CVR B VISIONS OF EXCELLENCE CHRISTMAS    $3.99
JUN190064    FAIRLADY #5 CVR A SALIBA    $3.99
JUN190065    FAIRLADY #5 CVR B LONGUA    $3.99
JUN190079    MIDDLEWEST #10 (MR)    $3.99
JUN190029    OPHIUCHUS TP    $16.99
JUN190082    OUTPOST ZERO #12    $3.99
JUN190027    PRETTY VIOLENT #1 CVR A HUNTER (MR)    $3.99
JUN190028    PRETTY VIOLENT #1 CVR B OTTLEY (MR)    $3.99
JUN190086    RIDE BURNING DESIRE #3 (OF 5) CVR A HAMNER (MR)    $3.99
JUN190087    RIDE BURNING DESIRE #3 (OF 5) CVR B HILLYARD (MR)    $3.99
MAY190044    SAGA COMPENDIUM TP VOL 01 (MR)    $59.99
FEB190205    SAVAGE DRAGON #245 (MR)    $3.99
JUN198337    SEA OF STARS #1 2ND PTG    $3.99
MAR190246    SNOTGIRL #14 CVR A HUNG    $3.99
MAR190247    SNOTGIRL #14 CVR B OMALLEY    $3.99
APR190064    SPAWN COVER GALLERY HC VOL 01    $19.99
JUN190044    SPAWN ENEMY OF THE STATE TP    $16.99
JUN190108    WEATHERMAN VOL 2 #3 CVR A FOX (MR)    $3.99
JUN190109    WEATHERMAN VOL 2 #3 CVR B ROBINSON (MR)    $3.99
JUN198315    WEATHERMAN VOL 2 #3 CVR C HANS (MR)    $3.99

Monday, July 29, 2019

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 31, 2019

DC COMICS

MAY190376    AMERICAN CARNAGE #9 (MR)    $3.99
NOV180527    AUTHORITY OMNIBUS HC    $99.99
MAY190360    BATMAN LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH #2 (OF 3)    $5.99
MAY190361    BATMAN LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH #2 (OF 3) VAR ED    $5.99
MAY190387    BATMAN SECRET FILES #2    $4.99
JUN190448    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #7 (OF 7)    $4.99
JUN190449    BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #7 (OF 7) VAR ED    $4.99
DEC180682    DARK KNIGHTS METAL BATMAN & DARKSEID BABY STATUE    $85.00
APR190534    DC BOMBSHELLS THE DELUXE ED HC BOOK 02    $29.99
JUN190003    DC PREVIEWS #16 AUGUST 2019 EXTRAS    $PI
MAR190470    DEAR JUSTICE LEAGUE TP    $9.99
MAY190415    GREEN LANTERN ANNUAL #1    $4.99
APR190554    INJUSTICE 2 HC VOL 06    $24.99
MAY190431    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ANNUAL #1    $4.99
MAY190494    KITCHEN TP NEW ED (MR)    $12.99
MAY190443    RED HOOD OUTLAW ANNUAL #3    $4.99
NOV180575    SUPERMAN THE GOLDEN AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 06    $125.00
APR190569    WONDER WOMAN BY JOHN BYRNE HC VOL 03    $39.99

Thursday, May 30, 2019

I Reads You Juniors May 2019 - Update #82

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Newsarama:  Two of IDW's founder, Ted Adams and Robbie Robbins, have founded a new publishing venture, Clover Press.  The new company will publish graphic novels, art books, prose books, "and other works."

From Newsarama:  An estimated 1.35 million people attended Free Comic Book Day 2019, which was held on Saturday, May 4th.

From ScreenRant:  Director James Gunn says that Disney/Marvel and Warner Bros./DC Comics are not built to make a movie that is as (relatively) small as "Brightburn," which Gunn produced.

From Variety:  Keya Morgan, the former business manager of the late Stan Lee, was arrested in Arizona on an outstanding warrant from the Los Angeles Police Department.  Morgan is facing several "elder abuse" charges related to Lee.

From BleedingCool:  Veteran comics scribe Howard Mackie says that his pay-per-hour rate is better at Zenescope Entertainment than it was at DC Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller and John Romita, Jr.'s "Superman: Year One" is apparently in continuity with Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns."

From Newsarama:  Writer Tom King is leaving "Batman" for a new title, "Batman/Catwoman" title in 2020... And people wonder why the Direct Market is going to shit.

From THR:  Taika Waititi is directing a live-action version of the classic manga, Akira, which will open in theaters May 21, 2012.  The manga's creator, Katsuhiro Otoma, directed an anime version of his manga that was released in 1988.

From Nippon:  The British Museum in London will hold the world's largest exhibition of manga outside Japan, beginning Thursday, May 23rd through Aug. 26, 2019.

From Marketplace:  Did you know that the Federal Reserve produces comic books?

From CBR:  Marvel Entertainment is partnering with the United States Golf Association (USGA) to produce exclusive gold education products aimed at junior golfers.  The partnership begins with a printed and digital comic book that features numerous Marvel superheroes teaching readers the basics of playing golf, as well as the etiquette of the game.

From Newsarama:  Writer Tom King is apparently leaving his gig writing "Batman" by the end of the year, which will be short of his planned 100-issue run.

From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment contests the use of the trademark "Atlas Comics" related to the recent Paramount film deal.

MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  Colorist Justin Ponsor died at the age of 42, Saturday, May 18, 2019.  Much of his outpus has been for Marvel Comics, and this week's "Avengers #19" will be his final credit.

From Newsarama:  Spawn creator Todd McFarlane and longtime Spawn artist, Greg Capullo, will produce interior art for the landmark Spawn #300.  Capullo last drew interior art for Spawn #100.  McFarlane has not drawn interior art for Spawn since 1995.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Entertainment signs a deal with the Chinese company "NetEase" to develop Marvel characters into games, comics, and TV series for the Chinese market.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics August 2019 comics solicitations - cover gallery.

From Deadline:  Paramount Pictures makes a movie into superhero films with a deal that involves the old Atlas/Seaboard line of superhero characters.  [I am not clear on what characters are owned by the current iteration of Atlas, which is called SP Media Group.]

From Variety:  Lindsey Beer and James Wan have signed on as executive producers for the upcoming Mark Millar Netflix series “The Magic Order,” which is based on his 2018-19 comic book miniseries.

From HollywoodLife:  Actress Raven-Symone ("Raven's Home") will provide the voice of Valkyrie in the Disney XD animated series, "Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout."

From YahooEntertainment:  Robert Pattison, best known for playing the brooding vampire, Edward Cullen in the "Twilight" film series, is the new Batman/Bruce Wayne, according to an exclusive story by "Variety."  Nicholas Hoult, who has been played "The Beast/Hank McCoy" in the "X-Men" film series since 2011, was apparently a finalist.

From Newsarama:  "Fantastic Four: Yancy Street #1" is apparently the first in a series of "Fantastic Four" one-shots.

From Newsarama:  Writer Warren Ellis and artist Ramon Villalobos will revive Wildstorm's "WildCATS," beginning in August with a new #1 issue.

From BleedingCool:  Here are seven preview pages of Frank Miller and John Romita, Jr.'s "Superman: Year One."

From BleedingCool:  Neal Adams will write and draw a new six-issue mini-series, "Batman Vs. Ra’s Al Ghul," as part of DC Comics' "Year of the Villain" initiative.  Adams co-created Ra’s al Ghul, a classic Batman villain.

From Newsarama:  Koyama Press announces its Fall 2019/Winter 2020 line-up of trade paperbacks.

From Newsarama:  Writer Louise Simonson and artist June Brigman will return to the comic book they created in the 1980s, "Power Pack."  They will produce a new Power Pack one-shot comic book set in the original series' continuity, "Power Pack: Grow Up #1."

--------------------------------------
X-MEN:
From ComicBook:  Jonathan Hickman talks about "House of X" and "Powers of X" (pronounced "Powers of Ten") and the restart of the X-Men line.

From Newsarama:  Marvel to cancel and then, relaunch entire X-Men line... agin.

--------------------------------------
From Newsarama:   Stan Lee's former manager, Keya Morgan, has been charged with five counts of elder abuse in Los Angeles Superior Court.  Lee, who died in November 2018, is known for his time as a writer and editor at Marvel Comics when he co-created some of the most popular comic book characters ever created.

From Newsarama:  The designs that renowned fantasy and concept artist, William Stout, produced for the 1987 "Masters of the Universe" film, will now become a line of action figures.

From ComicBook:  NBA star Donovan Mitchell, nicknamed "Spida," has a new Spider-Man themed sneaker set to come out with "Spider-Man: Far From Home."  He gave a pair to Spide-Man star, Tom Holland.

From BBC:  A look at John Brunner's Hugo Award-winning science fiction novel, "Stand on Zanzibar" (1968).

From Newsarama:  Lerner's Fall 2019 comic book solicitations

From BleedingCool:  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Neil Gaiman are among the contributors to "Marvel Comics #1000."

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics announces "Marvel Comics #1000," a comic book with 80 one-page stories to celebrate its 80th anniversary.

-------------------------------------
From THR:  Oni Press, the small press comic book and graphic novel publishers, is merging with Lion Forge Comics.

From Forbes:  What the Oni Press-Lion Forge Comics merger means for the comic book industry.

From ComicsBeat:  More on the aftermath of the Oni Press/Lion Forge Comics merger.

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

From Newsarama:  Marvel plans some kind of "exclusive announcement" on Friday, April 10th.

From Newsarama:  Dark Horse signs a "first look" deal with Netflix

From GoodEReader:  This article says that webtoons are starting to overshadow digital manga.

From BookRiot:  In cast you need it: a reader's guide to the manga, "Naruto."

From Newsarama:  Writer Joe Hill and artist Mike Allred are working on a secret project for Marvel Comics.

From Newsarama:  Two comic book characters will get TV series on TheCW during the 2019-20 television season.  They are "Batwoman" (starring actress Ruby Rose) and "Katy Keene" (a "Riverdale" spinoff).

From Newsarama:  Disney has officially moved the 20th Century Fox-produced "New Mutants" from August 7 2019 to April 3, 2020.

From BleedingCool:  Jamie Delano ("Hellblazer") is looking for a publisher for his "2020 Visions" book collection.  The book is based on Delano's comic book series of the same name that was originally published in 1997 and 1998 by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint.

From BleedingCool:  Steve Englehart is determined to bring you "Batman: Dark Detective III" one way or another.

From BleedingCool:  Roy Thomas, perhaps the most famous writer of "Conan" comic books, will join British comic book legend, Alan Davis, to produce a prequel comic book to the classic Conan tale, "People of the Black Circle."

From Newsarama:  Patrick Gleason, known for his work for DC Comics for the last several years, is moving to Marvel Comics.

From Newsarama:  May 25th, 2019 will be "Denny O'Neil Day" in Phoenix, Arizona.

From ANN:  Yōichi Takahashi, creator of the "Captain Tsubasa" manga, will appear in conversation at the British Museum on Friday May 24.

From Kotaku:  The "Game of Thrones" television series has the same problem the "Fullmetal Alchemist" anime had.

From ANN:  Yen Press licenses four new manga titles and two new light novels.  They are scheduled for publication between November 2019 and April 2020.

From Previews:  Marvel provided a launch trailer for its new series, "Savage Avengers."

From Newsarama:  Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski teases the next million-selling comic books.

From Newsarama:  Baker & Taylor, a distributor of graphic novels to comic book shops and bookstores, is closing its retail business.

From ComicBook:  Writer-director James Gunn, the man behind Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" films, is directing "The Suicide Squad," based on the DC Comics series.  He says his favorite Suicide Squad stories are the one written by John Ostrander in 1987.

From PostandCourier:  The University of South Carolina recently received a comic collection worth about $2.5 million.  It is 180,000 copies including the first appearance of key Silver Age heroes.

From Previews:  DC Comics updates the contents of "Crisis On Infinite Earths HC Box Set" (November 6, 2019).  This box will include 14 hardcover books and retail at $500.

From Variety:  Actor Gabriel Luna who played the "Ghost Rider" in the ABC series, "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," will play the character in the just announced Hulu series, but this will be a different version of the character.

From BleedingCool:  IDW Media Holdings has raised $13.8 million of its $22.5 million goal in the first round of funding.

From Newsarama:  Hulu will have TV series based on Marvel characters, "Ghost Rider" and Helstrom."

From EyeonDesign:  Julian Glander talks about his new book, "3D Sweeties."

From YorkDailyRecord:  "The Avengers" effect: Have local comic book shops benefited from decade of Marvel films?

From Vimeo:  "A Warren Ellis Production" production card / bumper.

From RogerStrunk:  Strunk talks about his process creating a production card for Warren Ellis.

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

MAY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:   All publishers' solicitations link in one place.
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Kevin Eastman Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion/2000 AD for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Zenescope Entertainment for May 2019

JUNE 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  June 2019 comic book publisher solicitations for June 2019
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  American Mythology for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for June 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZMedia for June 2019

JULY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  July 2019 comics solicitations for all publishers on one page.
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  American Mythology for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for July 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Nobrow Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Papercutz for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for July 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for July 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZMedia for July 2019

AUGUST 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for August 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for August 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for August 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for August 2019


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