Review: THE KILLER INSIDE ME (Trade Paperback)

JIM THOMPSON'S THE KILLER INSIDE ME
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Devin Faraci
ART: Vic Malhotra
COLORS: Jason Millet
LETTERS: Christa Miesner
EDITORS: Denton J. Tipton; Justin Eisinger and Alonzo Simon
COVER: Vic Malhotra
MISC. ART: Robert Hack
ISBN: 978-1-63140-854-0; paperback (April 18, 2017)
120pp, Color, $19.99, $25.99 U.S.
Diamond Distributors code: AUG170528

Suggested for mature readers

Introduction by Stephen King

The Killer Inside Me is a 1952 crime novel written by American author Jim Thompson (1906 to 1977).  The Killer Inside Me is one of the best-regarded crime novels of the twentieth century, and has received praise from bestselling novelist, Stephen King (The Shining), and the acclaimed filmmaker, the late Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey).

In 2016 and 2017, IDW Publishing published a five-issue comic book adaptation of Thompson's novel, entitled Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me.  The adaptation is written by Devin Faraci, a film critic and podcaster.  It is drawn by Vic Malhotra; colored by Jason Millet; and lettered by Christa Miesner.  Robert Hack drew the cover illustrations for the variant cover editions of this comic book.

In April 2017, IDW published a trade paperback that collected all five issues of Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me.  At the back of this book, there is a 14-page section of illustrations and sketch material drawn by Malhotra and Hack.  IDW sent me a copy of the Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me trade paperback for review.

Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me is set in around the small town of Central City, Texas.  Lou Ford is a deputy for Sheriff Bob Maples.  Ford is something of a psychopath, and as the story advances, it is obvious that he is a full-on serial killer.  As Ford says, he has had a sickness inside him ever since he was a child.

Ford hatches a plan of blood revenge against the wealthy Chester Conway, the owner of Conway Construction, which seems to build everything in Central City.  Ford's murderous plot involves Chester's not-too-bright son, Elmer, and Joyce Lakeland, a prostitute that Elmer loves and with whom he hopes to elope.  Most people in Central City think Lou Ford is a little slow, but they don't know about the sickness inside him, a psychosis that is reemerging as the bodies pile up.

Over 20 years ago, I read my only Jim Thompson novel, The Grifters (1963), which I thought was brilliantly written.  Once upon a time, when they were still talking, Fantagraphics Books' Gary Groth interviewed the late Harlan Ellison, in which either Ellison or Groth said that sometimes a work of art or storytelling is perfect in its original form.  As much as I enjoyed director Stephen Frears and writer Donald E. Westlake's 1990 film adaptation of The Grifters, I thought the original, Thompson's novel, was perfect.

There is something lacking in Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me the comic book.  This comic book adaptation is flat and lacks the hard-boiled lyricism I found in The Grifters.  There are some good moments when this comic book can be furious and edgy, but quite a bit of the narrative smothers any embers that the plot kicks up.  The fifth issue of this adaptation is the only one that consistently, from the first page to the last, has that bad-ass burn of American “noir.”

Although this comic book is by no means a disaster, Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me could have been better.  I don't know what qualifies Devin Faraci to adapt a Jim Thompson novel to comics, especially after IDW published comic book adaptations of Richard Stark's (Donald E. Westlake) Parker crime novels, written and drawn by the late Darwyn Cooke, one of the best comic book creators of the last 20 years.  There is something about Faraci's adaptation that seems to accept that it is inherently an inferior work.

Even Vic Malhotra's illustrations and graphic storytelling often come across as flat, even listless, unable to convey the power of the original story.  Colorist Jason Millet's simmering hues do more to convey Jim Thompson's heat than any other contributor to this comic book.  Christa Miesner's lettering is not spectacular, but creates a nice rhythm for the story.

While I have mixed feelings about Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me the comic book, I can recommend this trade paperback to comic book readers who are always looking for comic books adapted from novels.

6 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 syndication rights and fees.

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Review: Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1

BATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ADVENTURES No. 1
IDW PUBLISHING/DC Comics – @DCComics @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Matthew K. Manning
PENCILS: Jon Sommariva
INKS: Sean Parsons
COLORS: Leonardo Ito
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
COVER: Jon Sommariva
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Kevin Eastman with Tomi Varga; Ciro Nielli; Hilary Barta with Jason Millet; Ty Templeton; Ben Bishop; Alex Kotkin; Ken Haeser; Steve Lavigne and Peter Laird with Ben Bishop; Tony Fleecs; J. Bone; Ian Nichols; Dario Brizuela; Eddie Nunez; Derek Fridolfs with Heather Breckel
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2016)

“The Face of Two Worlds”

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (also known as TMNT and Ninja Turtles) are a media empire that began with four fictional characters created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.  The comic book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (cover dated: May 1984), introduced four teenage anthropomorphic turtles (meaning they walk and talk like humans).

Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael were adopted by an anthropomorphic rat, Master Splinter, who was their sensei and who trained them in the art of ninjutsu.  The Turtles live in the sewers of New York City and battle every bad guy from petty criminals and overlord-mastermind types to alien invaders and mutated creatures.

DC Comics and IDW Publishing united last year to publish the crossover comic book, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Now, IDW Publishing has just released the second such crossover, Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures.  It is written by Matthew K. Manning; drawn by Jon Sommariva (pencils) and Sean Parsons (inks); colored by Leonardo Ito; and lettered by Shawn Lee.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1 (“The Face of Two Worlds”) opens in the Turtles' New York City, where we find them fighting crime in their own unique way.  Meanwhile, in Gotham City, Batman is trying to find out why select denizens of the infamous prison, Arkham Asylum, are disappearing and sometimes returning... and telling strange tales.

When I first heard about the first Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover comic book (published by DC Comics), I wanted to read it, of course.  However, I was and still am cynical about crossover comic books, so I did not expect much from Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  I was more than pleasantly surprised.  It is one of the best inter-comic book company crossover comic books that I have ever read.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures #1 takes its leads from those “Adventures” comic books.  Back in 1992, a syndicated animated television series named “Batman” debuted.  Commonly known as “Batman: The Animated Series,” it featured Batman in a visually striking manner that recalled the art and design of the 20th century's early decades and also the early years of Batman comic books.  DC Comics published a comic book based on “Batman: The Animated Series,” entitled “Batman Adventures,” which was also friendlier and more open to younger readers than regular Batman titles.  Since then, other comic books based on animated TV series have followed the lead of Batman Adventures, including IDW's (which has the license to publish TMNT comic books) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures.

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures is certainly an “Adventures” comic book.  Honestly, I have mixed feelings about such comic books, so I am not as excited about this new comic book miniseries as I was about Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which was darker in tone and more like Eastman and Laird's early TMNT comic books, with their raw, edgy, DIY aesthetic.  However, I want to give Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures a chance.  I want to see where this is going.  Truthfully, I would like to see Batman and the Ninja Turtles crossovers past this new series

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


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

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Review: THUNDER Agents, 50th Anniversary Special

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS, 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was first published by Patreon.]

WRITERS:  Larry Ivie; Len Brown; Dan Adkins
PENCILS: Wally Wood; Steve Ditko; Dan Adkins; Garry Leach
INKS: Wally Wood; Dan Adkins; Tony Coleman; Garry Leach
COLORS: Jason Millet
LETTERS: Victor Gorelick
MISC. ART: George Perez with Ronda Pattison; George Tuska with Ronda Pattison; Jerry Ordway with Ronda Pattison; Dave Cockrum with Ronda Pattison; Dave Cockrum; Steve Ditko and Greg Theakston with Ronda Pattison; George Perez and Dave Cockrum with Ronda Pattison; Dave Cockrum and Murphy Anderson with Ronda Pattison; Steve Ditko and Will Blyberg; Bob Layton; Phil Hester and Eric Gapstur with David Baron; Dave Sim with David Baron
EDITORS: Greg Goldstein and Michael Benedetto
COVER: Dan Adkins with Jason Millet (based on Wally Wood and Dan Adkins' cover for T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #3)
SUBSCRIPTION COVER: Andrew Pepoy with Jason Millet (based on Wally Wood's cover for Incredible Science Fiction #33)
64pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (July 2015)

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents created by Wally Wood and Len Brown

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents was a team of superheroes that appeared in comic books originally published by Tower Comics from 1965 to 1969.  The original T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents were an arm of the United Nations.  The name, T.H.U.N.D.E.R., is an acronym for “The Higher United Nations Defense Enforcement Reserves.”

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents the comic book series ran for 20 issues.  Tower Comics gave the two of the most popular T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, Dynamo and NoMan, each his own short lived comic book series.  After the demise of Tower Comics, the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents characters did not appear in new comic book stories until the early 1980s, which was the beginning of a series of sporadic efforts to create T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents comics over the next three decades.  Beginning in 2010, DC Comics published a short-lived ongoing T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents series and a miniseries.  In 2013, IDW Publishing published another short lived T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents comic book series.

In spite of decades of short-lived iterations, the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents still have fans and admirers, and I am one of them.  In fact, 2015 is the 50th anniversary of their first appearance in T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1 (Tower Comics; cover dated: November 1965).  So I was excited to discover that IDW had published a one-shot comic book, entitled T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, 50th Anniversary Special.

Despite their checkered comic book publishing history, the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents comics have featured the work of a number of talented writers and artists.  T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, 50th Anniversary Special celebrates the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, some of their classic stories, and a selection of work from acclaimed and popular T.H.U.N.D.E.R. creators.

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, 50th Anniversary Special reprints four Tower Comics-era stories.  “First Encounters,” from T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1 (November 1965), introduces the devices that give super-powered T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents their powers.  Dynamo shines in two stories:  “D-Day for Dynamo!” from T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #2 (cover dated: January 1966) and “Master of Evolution” from T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #4 (cover dated: April 1966).

One of the best known T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents stories is also reprinted here.  That is “A Matter of Life and Death,” from T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #7 (cover dated: August 1966).  Some comic book historians and fans believe that this story features the first meaningful and long-lasting depiction of the death of a major character, in this case, Menthor, in a comic book.  T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, 50th Anniversary Special also reprints the art Garry Leach drew for a story that deals with the aftermath of Menthor's death on Dynamo.  I am assuming that this story, written by the late George Caragonne, was originally produced for Deluxe Comics' short-lived T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents revival, a comic book series entitled Wally Wood's T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents.

I don't want to describe the four Tower Comics stories as “quaint and charming,” which is how I sometimes describe comics from the Silver Age and earlier.  I think that these stories are actually quite good, and they reveal that Dynamo is a dynamic character, one whose potential has never and will likely never be reached, unless someone dedicated to comic books saves the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents.

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, 50th Anniversary Special also offers just under 20 pages of illustrations, pin-ups, cover art, and preliminary art by classic comic book artists, like George Perez and two now deceased artists, Dave Cockrum and George Tuska, among others.  This comic book is like a short love letter to fans of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents.  It does seem a bit inadequate, but fans can get more T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents in T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Companion (from TwoMorrows Publishing).  In the meantime, we can enjoy the comic book-sized T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, 50th Anniversary Special for what it is.  It is a special comic book commemorating a group of comic book characters whose 50 years of existence is probably the shortest half-century in American comic book history.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #4

  ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #4 (OF 4)

DARK HORSE COMICS in association with Archie Comics – @DarkHorseComics and @ArchieComics

[This review first appeared on Patreon.]

WRITER: Alex de Campi
PENCILS: Fernando Ruiz
INKS: Rich Koslowski
COLORS: Jason Millet
LETTERS: John Workman
COVER:  Andrew Pepoy with Jason Millet
VARIANT COVERS: Faith Erin Hicks with Chris Peter; Joe Quinones
MISC. ART: Fernando Ruiz with Anwar Hanano
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2015)

“Guess Who's Coming to Dinner”

Eternal comic book teenager, Archie Andrews, was created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana and first appeared in Pep Comics #22 (cover date: December 1941).  That was almost a half-century before sci-fi movie monster, “The Predator,” (created by the sibling screenwriting team of Jim and John Thomas) first appeared in the still-popular, 1987 science fiction film, Predator.

Dark Horse Comics, in conjunction with Archie Comics, has set the Predator against Archie and his pals and gals in the four-issue comic book miniseries, Archie vs. Predator.  The series is written by Alex de Campi, penciled by Fernando Ruiz, inked by Rich Koslowski, colored by Jason Millet, and lettered by John Workman.

Archie vs. Predator #4 (“Guess Who's Coming to Dinner”) opens at Lodge Manor.  It's and the final chapter!  Archie is down for the count, and now only Betty and Veronica are left to face the killer alien monster (The Predator) that followed them from Costa Rica.   Veronica has set the mansion to explode, and she thinks she can save Archie's life.  Meanwhile, Betty learns that she has an admirer...

I read Archie vs. Predator #1 because I received a PDF review copy of it.  I enjoyed that first issue so much that I decided to follow the series.  And guess what, dear readers; I am not disappointed, and I am sorry the series has come to an end.  Writer Alex de Campi proved that two wildly different media franchises can be brought together for great affect.  She was clever in the way that she stayed true to the classic Archie milieu of rivalries and friendships, while keeping the Predator a killer.

The art team of Fernando Ruiz, Rich Koslowski (an Archie Comics writer-artist), and Jason Millet proved that the classic Archie graphic and art style can work with and be welcoming to foreign visitors, meaning the Predator.  John Workman's killer lettering gives the story such energy.  Encore!  If you haven't yet read Archie vs, Predator, the hardcover collection is due in November.

Wait!  There's more.  This issue includes a two-page bonus story, “Josie and the Pussycats Meets Finder,” by Alex de Campi, Carla Speed McNeil, and Jenn Manley Lee.  This trio is the art team behind one of the most exciting miniseries of the year, No Mercy (Image Comics).  Finder is the long running comic book series, webcomic, and comics serial written and drawn by Carla Speed McNeil, which won an Eisner Award.   Josie and the Pussycats is a classic, mini-media franchise from Archie Comics.

I am a fan of Josie and the Pussycats going back to my childhood.  I love this two-pager.  Jon Goldwater (publisher of Archie Comics), in regards to your “new direction” comics;  de Campi, McNeil, and Lee are your dream team for a Josie and the Pussycats revamp slash relaunch.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #1

ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #1
DARK HORSE COMICS in association with Archie Comics – @DarkHorseComics and @ArchieComics

WRITER: Alex de Campi
PENCILS: Fernando Ruiz
INKS: Rich Koslowski
COLORS: Jason Millet
LETTERS: John Workman
COVER:  Fernando Ruiz and Rich Koslowski with Jason Millet
VARIANT COVERS: Eric Powell; Francesco Francavilla
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2015)

Eternal comic book teenager, Archie Andrews, was created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana and first appeared in Pep Comics #22 (cover date: December 1941).  The Predator is a movie monster that was created by the sibling screenwriting team of Jim and John Thomas in 1985 and that first appeared in the still-popular, 1987 science fiction film, Predator.

Now, Dark Horse Comics, in conjunction with Archie Comics, is pitting Archie Andrews and his friends against the Predator in the four-issue comic book miniseries, Archie vs. Predator.  The series is written by Alex de Campi, penciled by Fernando Ruiz, inked by Rich Koslowski, colored by Jason Millet, and lettered by one of the masters of comic book lettering, John Workman.

Archie vs. Predator #1 (“When You Wish Upon a Star”) opens with America's favorite teen, Archie, and his pals, including Betty, Veronica, Reggie, Jughead, and Moose, trying to decide where they can spend Spring Break.  They don't want to spend another Spring Break camping, tubing, or shopping at the outlet mall.  Of course, the wealthy Cheryl and her boyfriend, Jason, are rubbing it in that they will spend the vacation yachting in the Caribbean.

As luck (or fate) would have it, the gang does manage to travel to the lovely Los Perdidos Resort in Costa Rica.  However, instead of enjoying fun in the sun, Archie and the Gang allow old rivalries, jealousy, and violence to take over their Spring Break.  Meanwhile, something dangerous hides in the nearby jungle, watching and waiting.

It has been some time since I have enjoyed an Archie comic book as much as I enjoyed Archie vs. Predator #1.  For the most part, the Predator is a background player in this first issue.  What makes this such a good Archie comic book is that writer Alex de Campi encapsulates eight decades of rivalries, jealousies, and disputes into 22-pages.  The charm of Archie and company is not just that they are friends; it is also about their conflicts and schemes, although I must admit to being surprised at the physical intensity and emotional distress de Campi depicts in this story.

The art team of Fernando Ruiz, Rich Koslowski (an Archie Comics writer-artist), and Jason Millet capture the classic Archie look, which is based on the work of the late Dan DeCarlo, probably the most influential Archie Comics artist of all time.  Archie vs. Predator #1 looks like an Archie comic book and graphically, it reads like one.

I am waiting for the Predator's presence to explode in this story, probably next issue.  For now, I implore anyone who has ever liked an Archie comic book to try the first issue of Archie vs. Predator.

A

[This volume includes a one-age bonus story, “Sabrina Meets Hellboy” by Alex de Campi, Robert Hack, and Clem Robins.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.