#IReadsYou Review: NARUTO Volume 71

NARUTO, VOL. 71
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Masashi Kishimoto
TRANSLATION: Mari Morimoto
LETTERS: John Hunt
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8176-7; paperback (August 2015); Rated “T” for “Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Naruto is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto.  The series is based on two one-shot manga by Kishimoto: Karakuri (1995) and Naruto (1997).  Naruto was serialized in the Japanese magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, from 1999 to 2014.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a series of paperback graphic novels from August 2003 to October 2015, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

Naruto tells the story of a young shinobi (ninja) named Uzumaki Naruto, in two parts, first his pre-teen years and then, his teen years.  Naruto has an incorrigible knack for mischief, and he is the biggest troublemaker at the Ninja Academy in the shinobi Village of Konohagakure.  He is an outcast because there is something special about him.  When he was a baby, his parents (father Minato and mother Kushina) imprisoned a nine-tailed fox spirit (Kurama) inside his infant body.  Now, 16-years-old and incorrigible as ever, Uzumaki Naruto is still serious about his quest to become the world’s greatest ninja and the Hokage (leader) of his village.

The Akatsuki villain, Uchiha Madara, was the true instigator of The Fourth Great Ninja War.  Reviving the monstrous tailed-beast (biju), Ten Tails, was just the part of his plan.

Naruto, Vol. 71 (Chapters 680 to 690, entitled “I Love You Guys”) opens with Naruto and his former teammate/now teammate again, Uchiha Sasuke, facing the prospect of fighting the revived Kaguya, the creator of all chakra.  That will be difficult as this mother of all can traverse time-space.

Her partner, the creature who has been plotting Kaguya's revival since time immemorial, Black Zetsu, has information to share.  He explains who he is, what Ten Tails really is, and how Kaguya will reclaim all chakra.  Also, he says that his opponents are the reincarnation of Kaguya's two sons, with Naruto being Ashura and Sasuke being Indra.  Plus, the Sage of Six Paths returns, and Cell Seven reunites to save the world.

Some of you may know that the Naruto manga came to an end in Japan last November (2014).  Here, in the states, we are just catching up to that finale via VIZ Media's graphic novel format publication of Naruto.  Naruto Graphic Novel Volume 71 is the penultimate volume of the series (which I incorrectly thought was Vol. 70).  Vol. 71 is big... big... big, but still the same size.  It is not that the battles contained herein are any more epic than the battles in previous volumes.  It is simply that Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto puts everything or almost everything in context.  He explains basically who the “bad guys” were and are, and why they were and are.

SPOILER ALERT:  I don't yet know what happens in the final graphic novel (Vol. 72), but the good guys win in Vol. 71.  However, I think we are the losers because Naruto is gone too soon.  Still, the 72 volumes that comprise this series are so packed with narrative that we have likely forgotten much of what has already happened by the time we get to the end.  Naruto is worth reading again.

A+
10 out of 10

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


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

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#IReadsYou Review: SAMURAI 8: The Tale of Hachimaru Volume 2

SAMURAI 8: THE TALE OF HACHIMARU, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CREATOR/STORY: Masashi Kishimoto
ART: Akira Okubo
TRANSLATION: Stephen Paul
LETTERS: Snir Aharon
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1538-1; paperback (May 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 U.K.

Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru is a shonen manga series created and written by Masashi Kishimoto (of Naruto fame) and illustrated by Akira Okubo.  Samurai 8 was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from May 2019 to March 2020.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a five-volume graphic novel series from March 2020 to February 2021 under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru introduces Hachimaru, a boy who has always dreamed of becoming a samurai.  Samurai carry special souls within themselves and can travel through space as easily as they walk the earth.  Only the most powerful warriors are able to transcend their human bodies and become samurai!  Hachimaru is weak and so sickly that he can’t even eat solid foods.  But one day, his father's secrets and the arrival of a samurai cat named “Daruma” combine to give Hachimaru a chance to live his dream.  With enough heart, could Hachimaru become a true samurai?

As Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru, Vol. 2 (entitled “Who and Why” – Chapters 7 to 15) opens, Hachimaru asks, “What is fate?”  Now, he begins his samurai training under Master Daruma, but he is not a good student.  However, this day will also bring new people into his life.  One is the samurai, Sir Hagamichi; the other is Princess Ann, a “princess of fate.”  Hachimaru finds a new source of confidence in Ann – his princess of fate, and he is delighted, although Ann is somewhat wary of him.  Elsewhere, Ata the Peerless, a new enemy, approaches, and he is a threat to Hachimaru's existence.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru manga is creator Masashi Kishimoto's follow-up to his legendary, smash hit manga, Naruto.  [The Naruto sequel, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, is written and drawn by a new writer-artist team.]  Kishimoto created Samurai 8 and writes the story and produces the storyboards, and newcomer artist Akira Okubo draws it.

Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru Graphic Novel Volume 2 has a perfect title, “Who and Why.”  The first volume was quite a read for all the wild and inventive characters and concepts it introduced.  In Vol. 2, Kishimoto and Okubo give us the adversary, Ata, that will vex Hachimaru, and, as Master Daruma explains, the vast conspiracy that threatens the world of Samurai 8.  Granted that it is not until this volume's last chapter (Chp. 15), but the narrative gets there:  the conflict and the competing ideologies.  We also get the origin story and back story of Hachimaru and his father, with plenty of shocking reveals.

I like Akira Okubo drawing style, although it can tend to create cluttered panels that are difficult to read.  Okubo draws like the late Moebius, but the younger artist's compositions are not as streamlined as Moebius'.  Still Okubo and Kishimoto seem like a perfect pairing, and translator Stephen Paul does a good job making the narrative clearer.  Snir Aharon's lettering also goes a long way to creating a rhythm that captures the fun of this story.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Naruto will want to try the Shonen Jump title, Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru.

A
8 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


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 Book Review: NARUTO'S STORY: FAMILY DAY

NARUTO'S STORY: FAMILY DAY
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

AUTHORS: Masashi Kishimoto and Mirei Miyamoto
TRANSLATION: Jocelyne Allen
DESIGN: Shawn Carrico
COVER: Shawn Carrico with Masashi Kishimoto
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1342-4; paperback (August 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
164pp, B&W, $10.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £7.99 U.K.

Naruto is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto.  Naruto was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, from 1999 to 2014.  Naruto eventually became a media franchise, yielding anime television series and films, video games, various print and audio publications, and a wide range of merchandise.

Naruto focuses on the mischievious young shinobi (ninja), Uzumaki Naruto, from the shinobi Village of Konohagakure.  When he was a baby, Naruto's parents (father Minato and mother Kushina) imprisoned a nine-tailed fox spirit (Kurama) inside his infant body, making him something of an outcast.  Determined to gain the recognition of his peers, Naruto fought and eventually became “the Hokage,” the leader of his village.  Now, he is a husband, married to Hinata, and they have two children, a son named Boruto and a daughter named Himawari – also called “Hima.”

Naruto also yielded a series of light novels (a Japanese form of the short novel), which furthered the adventures of Naruto and also of Naruto and his family after the ending of the Naruto manga.  VIZ Media recently released the fifth Naruto novel, Naruto New Story: Family Day, which was originally published in May 2018, in a paperback, English-language edition.  VIZ's release is entitled Naruto's Story: Family Day, and it is published under the “Shonen Jump” imprint.

Written by Masashi Kishimoto and Mirei Miyamoto, Naruto's Story: Family Day opens in the office of the Seventh Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto.  Advisor to the Hokage, Nara Shikamaru, has just handed Naruto a document that he must read.  The village of Konohagakure (or “Konoha” for short) has had an influx of new residents.  These new townspeople want to give an official name to one of the village's standard holidays, in which the villagers enjoy a day off from work.

Thus, “Family Day” is born.  But how is a workaholic and very busy Hokage going to celebrate Family Day?  Is Naruto even going to have the day off?  Well, Naruto, three other wayward fathers, and one teacher will learn the true meaning and spirit of Family Day.

[This book includes a two-page, illustrated list of characters.]

THE LOWDOWN:  Naruto's Story: Family Day is comprised of four short stories and four interludes, one appearing after the end of each short story.  There is also a prologue and an epilogue.

The first story is “Racing Through Konoha,” and it stars Naruto and his daughter, Hima.  The father-daughter pair race through Konoha looking for the latest hot toy, the “Kuraa-ma.”  It does not matter that it is based on “Kurama,” the nine-tailed spirit inside her father, Hima really wants this toy.  Feeling guilty because he is so often busy at the office and not at home, Naruto believes that he has to obtain this almost impossible to find toy for his child.

“Racing Through Konoha” is the most straight forward of the four tales, and its message is simple.  Fathers should make time for their children, especially for their daughters.  In fact, the father-daughter relationship is the subject of all four stories, and “Racing Through Konoha” is the most heartfelt.

The second story is “Forms of Happiness.”  It stars Naruto's wife, Hinata, and her younger sister, Hanabi, and their elderly father, Hiashi Hyuga.  Hinata reluctantly joins Hanabi and Hyuga on their father's quest to make a legend of himself as a ninja, although his ninja mission days are long over.  Hyuga's quest seems to hinge on his need to impress his grandson, Ninata and Naruto's elder child, their son, Boruto, who is a big fan of the card game, “Extreme Ninja.”  Ninja legends are the subjects of these cards, and the bigger legend a ninja is the more rare his card is within card packs.

Cards featuring Hyuga's image are not particularly rare, and he believes that he if completes a new and important mission, his card rarity will be upgraded.  “Forms of Happiness” might seem to be about grandparent and grandchild relationships, but it is really about adult children and their elderly parents.  Mortality and the fact that both parent and child are aging hang over the story.  I like the story, and I admire Kishimoto and Miyamoto's willingness to discuss themes of aging and mortality in what is really a juvenile novel.

The third story is “Table for One.”  It stars Boruto's friend, Akimichi Cho-Cho, and her father, Akimichi Choji, who is known for being a fat ninja... who is constantly eating.  Choji's wife and Cho-Cho's mother, Karui, also stars in this story.  Cho-Cho and Choji enter an eating contest held at Family Day.  The story is good, but not great, and it is a kind of comic relief version of the father-daughter themes of this novel.

The fourth story is “Cold Flames and Roiling Fire,” and its stars longtime Naruto rival, Uchiha Sasuke, and his daughter, Sarada, and, in a lesser role, his wife, Sakura.  Sasuke, who is usually away from home on secret missions for Konoha, returns for a (very) short visit and discovers that his daughter, Sarada, is estranged from him.  Because of a series of mishaps and bad advice, the estrangement increases.  So what can Sasuke do to improve his relationship with his child?  Hopefully, his wife, Sakura, who is also a bit miffed at him, has the answer.

“Cold Flames and Roiling Fire” is a surprisingly edgy story.  The tartness between Sasuke and Sarada is unexpected, but what the authors offer the readers is a story in which the father has to work hard to repair and to build his relationship with his daughter.  I think this story was the best choice as the final entry in this novel.

The “Master Shino!” interludes star Ninja Academy teacher, Aburame Shino, and each one is also surprisingly heartfelt.  Not one of the four reads as if it were filler material.  All in all, I have to admit that I enjoyed reading Naruto's Story: Family Day much more than I thought I would.  I heartily recommend it to fans of Naruto.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Naruto and Boruto manga will want to read the “Shonen Jump” novel, Naruto's Story: Family Day.

7.5 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 syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Juniors November 2020 - Update #95

"Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:  

DC CINEMA - From ArsTechnica:   "Justice League: The Snyder Cut" black and white trailer - released Nov. 17th, 2020.

DC TV - From HBOMax:   See HBO Max's "Titans" Season 1-Episode 1 ("Titans," 2018) for free - for the time being.

From HBOMax:  See HBO Max's animated "Harley Quinn" Season1-Episode 1 ("Till Death Do Us Part," 2019) for free - for the time being.

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DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  DC Comics is re-imagining "Batman" character, "Poison Ivy" for the Summer 2021 young adult graphic novel, "Vines 'N Roses."

DC TV - From DCBlog:   Anna Diop of HBO Max's "Titans" shows off "Starfire's" new costume.

DC COMICS - From DCComics:  Here is the "Future State" page.

From DCBlog:  DC Future State Takes You Beyond Tomorrow

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   A 1939 copy of Detective Comics #27, which features the first appearance of Batman, sold for $1.5 million via Heritage Auctions.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Of the comic books that Marvel Comics is cancelling is its comic book adaptation of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

UK COMICS - From 2000AD:   A look at Pat Mills and Rafael Busom's "Sugar Jones," as "The Best of Sugar Jones" collection arrives.

BOOKS - From BleedingCool:   Book publisher Penguin Random House has fellow publisher, Simon & Shuster," for 2 billion dollars.  That has created a mega-publisher and mega distributor with ramifications for comic book publishers.

DARK HORSE - From TheBeat:  Dark Horse Comics will publish an original graphic novel from famed comics cover artist and illustrator, Dave McKean.  Entitled "Raptor: A Sokol Graphic Novel," it will feature his first creator-owned character.

DC TV - From DCBlog:  HBO Max will stream, "DMZ," the four-part television adaptation of the Vertigo comic book series, "DMZ" (2005-12) from writer Brian Wood and artist Riccardo Burchielli.

MANGA - From GamesRadar:  Sony's investment arm, "Sony Innovation Fund," has reportedly invested in the new digital manga service, "Mangamo." 

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  A 7-foot tall statue of Batman is now on display in downtown Burbank, California.

DC COMICS - From Deadline:   DC Comics will introduce its first non-binary hero in "Kid Quick," who will appear in DC's holiday-themed comics anthology, "DC's Merry Multiverse."

COMICS - From THR:  Writer Steve Niles, the creator of "30 Days of Night," has formed a multi-platform production company, "Monster Forge Productions," with artist Shannon Eric Denton.

DC TV - From Variety:  The CW is cancelling its superhero TV series, "Black Lightning," after its upcoming Season 4.

MARVEL - From Previews:  Marvel Comics releases a trailer for the first chapter of "Enter the Phoenix," the new Avengers story line that opens in "Avengers #40."

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  Warner Bros. will release "Wonder Woman 1984" Dec. 25th, 2020 in U.S. and to stream on HBO Max.  The film will reportedly be released overseas on Dec. 16th.

DISNEY BOOKS - From SFWA:  The Walt Disney Company apparently is not paying royalties owed to veteran novelist Alan Dean Foster for books he wrote and that they now own.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:   Actress Amber Heard played "Mera" in Warner Bros.'s hit film, "Aquaman" (2018). Rumors say the studio will expand her role in the sequel and possibly develop a Mera film for her.  The latter is reportedly contingent on continued favorable rulings for Heard in her long-running and ugly legal battle with her ex-husband, Johnny Depp.

COMICS TO TV - From ComicBook:  Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan says that there is still a chance is notorious character from "The Walking Dead," Negan, might still get a spinoff TV series.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   Hasbra has said that the Transformers and the X-Men will crossover in some way in 2021 as part of its "Tranformers Collaborative" line.

DC CINEMA - From BloodyDisgusting:   Zack Snyder teases a new look for Jared Leto as the "Joker" in "Justice League."

MANGA - From ANN:   Revered manga creator, Naoki Urasawa, who is best known for manga such as "Monster" and "20th Century Boys," says that he is making an anime.

MANGA - From Kotaku:  Naruto creator, Masashi Kishimoto, will start writing the sequel, "Boruto," beginning with Chapter 52.  Ukyo Kodachi has been writing the series since Chapter 1.

DC TV - From Deadline:  The CW is developing a "Wonder Girl" TV series and the series lead may be a Latina.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Vixen will apparently be the first feature in DC's upcoming digital anthology comic, "Truth & Justice."

COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Kaare Andrews talks about his new teen superhero, "E-Ratic."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Eisner Award-winning artist, Sanford Greene, said in an interview that he is working on comics projects with Patton Oswalt and Milestone Media.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:   Director James Gunn confirms that Sylvester Stallone has joined his film, "The Suicide Squad."

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:   Apparently, there is still lots of debate about the release date and release platform for "Wonder Woman 1984."  It involves Christmas Day, HBO Max, PVOD, etc.

DC COMICS - From DCComics:  DC provides a preview of "Week One" of the "Justice League: Endless Winter" event, which begins with titles shipping December 8, 2020.

DC COMICS - From THR:  DC Comics has announced a new anthology series, "Truth & Justice."  It will launch digitally with print releases to follow.  The series will showcase "the catalog of characters in the DC library."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Is DC Comics leaving comic book shops and quitting conventions?

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank's creator-owned series, "Geiger," will be published by Image Comics.

MARVEL - From Inverse:   An article about the comic book that inspired the upcoming Disney+ series, "WandaVision."  That would be Tom King's "The Vision" miniseries.

DC TV - From Deadline:  The CW is developing a "Black Lighting" spinoff series for the character "Painkiller," which actor Jordan Calloway will play.  The series will be developed via a "backdoor pilot," which is when an episode of an existing TV series (in this case "Black Lightning") will introduce Painkiller. 

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   All Batman publications from now through September 2021.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:   Japanese comic book publisher, Enmaku is publishing their first mini-series, Ninja World USA, aimed at the US market and released digitally on the 20th of November.

MARVEL - From BET:   Adidas And Marvel Will Release Spider-Man: Miles Morales Sneakers

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   More senior DC Comics staff has reportedly been laid off

CONVENTIONS - From BleedingCool:  ReedPop is moving the next editions of both "Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) and "Emerald City Comic Con" (ECCC) to December 2021.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Legendary X-Men writer, Chris Claremont, will be part of Marvel Comics' upcoming "X-Men: Legends" ongoing series.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Rumor says that writer Geoff Johns and artist Jason Fabok will produce a one-shot sequel to their mega-hit miniseries, "Batman: The Three Jokers."

FANTAGRAPHICS-DISNEY - From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books will collect the the "Uncle Scrooge" comics of beloved Disney comic book artist, William Van Horn, in "Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge: Pie in the Sky: Disney Masters Vol. 18."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marie Javins is now the full Editor-in-Chief at DC Comics.

DC COMICS - From ComicBook:   Karl Kerschl introduces the newest Robin, "Mia 'Maps' Mizoguchi."  She will debut in the upcoming "Batman: Black and White" relaunch.

MARVEL - From ComicBook:  Marvel publisher John Nee is no longer with the company. Nee was among a number of Disney employees furloughed as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

BIDEN-HARRIS! - From BleedingCool:  Comics creator react to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris winning the 2020 Presidential election. 

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will collect writer Jesse Leon McCann and artist Min Sung Ku's "Krypto the Superdog" (2006-07) comic book series as a graphic novel in its "DC Kids" line.

MANGA - From 411Mania:  Yen Press announces Nov. 10 digital launch for Tetsuya Naito manga, "New Japan Academy."

DISNEY - From MousePlanet:   Writer John Korkis reprints an interview he conducted with classic Mickey Mouse newspaper comic strip artist, Floyd Gottfredson.

DC COMICS - From DCComics:   The publisher provides an exclusive first look at "Justice League #56," which arrives in story on or around Tues., Nov. 10th.

COMICS - From CBR:  Acclaimed comic book writer, Grant Morrison, comes out as non-binary.

TOYS-COLLECTIBLES - From BleedingCool:   The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return to the 1980s with FiGPiN enamel pins.

COMICS - From CBR:  Dianne Buscema-Gerogianis is trying to recover multiple pieces of original comics art that was created by her father, the late great John Buscema. The art work was recently stolen from her family.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   The site has a preview of DC Comics' upcoming "Punchline #1"

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:  Mike Mignola announces a line of books collecting "essential" Hellboy comics, "Hellboy Universe Essentials."

DC TO FILM - From YahooEntertainment:   Actor Joe Manganiello post a photo of himself sporting the blue mohawk that he will wear as the villain"Deathstroke" in Zach Snyder's "Justice League."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   The site reports rumors that say that DC Comics may be abandoning the idea of single "DC Universe."  It would be replaced by a kind of "omniverse" in which characters and comic books would have their own universe or at least play fast and loose with history.

COMICS UK - From 2000AD:   The new episode of "The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast Lockdown Tapes" podcast features artist Greg Staples, who has worked in comic books, video games, and movies and on "Magic: The Gathering" cards.

MARVEL - From ScreenRant:  How Marvel Comics' monsters changed the face of comic book heroes.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  Writer James Tynion IV is working on a second "Batman family" title for 2021.

COMICS TO FILM - From ShadowandAct:    Wesley Snipes denies that he tried to strangle director David Goyer on the set of the 2004 film, "Blade: Trinity," a claim made by co-star, actor and comedian Patton Oswalt.

INTERVIEW - From TheBeat:  Joe Grunenwald interview comics writer, Peter Milligan, about his new comic book, "Happy Hour" (Ahoy Comics).

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   George Perez's "Wonder Woman" gets the "Absolute" treatment.  "Absolute Wonder Woman: Gods And Mortals" will reprint Perez's classic run on "Wonder Woman #1-14" from 1986 and 1987 as well as his Wonder Woman work for "Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #26" and the "Who's Who Update 1987 #1-3."  360 pages long, for $125, the volume will be published on the 20th of July, 2021.

FANTAGRAPHICS - From Forbes: The site takes a look at Fantagraphics upcoming three-volume box set, "The Complete Hate," which collects the totality of Peter Bagge's seminal alt-comix series.  That includes all the issues of "Hate" (1990-98) and the "Hate Annuals" (1999-2011).

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics announces new young adult graphic novel and hero with, "Whistle: A New Gotham Hero," due May 2021.

COMICS - From BubbleBlabber:  A look back at Bongo Comics' "Treehouse of Horror" comic books, which are, of course, based on "The Simpsons" TV series' annual special episode of the same name.

MARVEL - From ValdostaDailyTimes:  A look back at "The Ulimates."

MANGA - From CBR: 10 Forgotten Manga Written By Legendary Creators Before Their Most Famous Works

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  With the news of the casting of the Disney+ "Moon Knight" series, the site offers "Who is Moon Knight and what are his powers?"

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  Tony Gushee, the owner of "Apache Comics & Toys" of Mesa, Arizona, is facing a murder trial!

PALESTINE - From BleedingCool:  In an interview for the CBC (Canadian state broadcaster) with acclaimed comics creator, Joe Sacco, the title of one of Sacco's most acclaimed works came up, "Palestine."  Later, the mention of the word "Palestine" was both censored and apologized for.

DC COMICS - From BusinessInsider:   Two Black former DC Comics editors describe the career obstacles they faced, from white leadership saying they'd never be promoted to their achievements being undercut.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  A beginner's guide to DC Comics horror.

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DC FUTURE STATE: 

From GamesRadar:  What is DC saying about the post "Future State" Batman title?

From GamesRadar:  DC Future State "Flash" will be part of a gender-swapped "Teen Titans."

From TheBeat:   A first look at "Nubai," the classic Wonder Woman character as she will be in DC Future State's "Immortal Wonder Woman."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will make all their "Future State" comic books returnable for comic book stores.

From GamesRadar:  DC Future State Superman and Justice League January 2021 solicitations

From GamesRadar:   DC Future State Batman January 2021 solicitations

From GamesRadar:  "DC Future State" reveals the Next Batman, the fate of Bruce Wayne, and a whole new line of titles

From GamesRadar:  "DC Future State" details.

From THR:   DC Comics is starting 2021 by looking into the future of its superhero universe with "DC Future State," a two-month publishing event (January and February 2021) that offers glimpses at what might be coming for Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League.

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NOVEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Abaze for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press/Lion Forge for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for November 2020

DECEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for December 2020 

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Chapterhouse for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2020

From 2000AD:   Rebellion Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2020

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for December 2020 

From BleedingCool: VIZ Media for December 2020

 

JANUARY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  AWA for January 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for January 2021 

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for January 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Kodansha for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics - King in Black for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titans Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Vertical Comics for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for January 2021

From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for January 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Artists, Writers & Artisans for February 2020

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for February 2020

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2021

From TheBeat: DC Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for February 2021 

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "King in Black" for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for February 2021

From 2000AD:   Rebellion Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for February 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for February 2021

From BleedingCool:   Zenescope Entertainment for February 2021

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#IReadsYou Review: BORUTO: Naruto Next Generations: Volume 8

BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS, VOL. 8
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CREATOR/SUPERVISOR: Masashi Kishimoto
ART: Mikio Ikemoto
SCRIPT: Ukyo Kodachi
TRANSLATION: Mari Morimoto
LETTERS: Snir Aharon
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0879-6; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
176pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is a Japanese manga series written by Ukyo Kodachi and illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto.  Boruto is a spin-off and a sequel to the shonen manga, Naruto, which was written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto.  Boruto was first serialized in Shueisha's shonen manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, beginning in May 2016, and then serialized in Shueisha's monthly magazine, V Jump, in July 2019.  VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint beginning in April 2017.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations follows the exploits of Naruto Uzumaki's son, Boruto Uzumaki.  Naruto was once a young shinobi (ninja) who lived in the shinobi Village of Konohagakure.  Naruto went on to become the world’s greatest ninja and the Hokage, leader of his village.  But this is not Naruto's story.  This is the story of Boruto and his ninja team:  leader, Konohamaru Sarutobi (Naruto's protégé ); and teammates Sarada Uchiha (the daughter of Sasuke and Sakura Uchiha) and and Mitsuki (Orochimaru's artificial son).

As Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Vol. 8 (Chapters 28 to 31; “Flowers”) opens, the mysterious boy, Kawaki, slowly begins to open up to both Naruto and Boruto.  He joins the Hokage and Sarada for a visit to Yamanaka Flower Shop, but on the way, Kawaki, reveals a little of his dark side.  Kawaki is burdened by a traumatic past, and it is about to return to him.   Kashin Koji and “Delta,” two leaders in the the mysterious Ohtsutuski-connected organization, Kara, attempt to retrieve what was once their cargo, Kawaki.

[This volume includes bonus manga, “The X Cards' Dark Side” and “The X Cards' Dark Side 2.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations manga has turned out to be a great replacement for and sequel to the classic shonen manga, Naruto, which is one of my all-time favorite comics.  Boruto's creative team of artist Mikio Ikemoto and script writer Ukyo Kodachi are making their own way with this manga, although Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto supervises this series.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Graphic Novel Volume 8 focuses on Kawaki.  The creators use a drip-drip approach to revealing his past, but in revealing his personality, they move quickly – sometimes in spurts.  Vol. 8 also gives readers some Boruto vs. Kawaki sparring and training, and if that were not enough, readers see Naruto the Seventh Hokage in a really intense and violent battle against a most formidable opponent.  That alone is worth the cover price of Vol. 8.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Naruto will want the Shonen Jump title, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

A
9.5 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.



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#IReadsYou Review: SAMURAI 8: The Tale of Hachimaru Volume 1

SAMURAI 8: THE TALE OF HACHIMARU, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CREATOR/STORY: Masashi Kishimoto
ART: Akira Okubo
TRANSLATION: Stephen Paul
LETTERS: Snir Aharon
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1502-2; paperback (March 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru is a shonen manga series created and written by Masashi Kishimoto (of Naruto fame) and illustrated by Akira Okubo.  Samurai 8 has been serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, since May 2019.  VIZ Media is publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a graphic novel series, released under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru, Vol. 1 (entitled “The First Key” – Chapters 1 to 6) introduces Hachimaru.  He has always dreamed of becoming a samurai.  Samurai carry special souls within themselves and can travel through space as easily as they walk the earth.  Only the most powerful warriors are able to transcend their human bodies and become something even greater – samurai!

Hachimaru, however, is as weak as they come, and he is so sickly that he can’t even eat solid foods.  Being too weak to leave his house has turned Hachimaru into an expert at video games, so at least he gets to play samurai video games, at which he is very good.  But one day, his father's secrets and the arrival of a samurai cat named “Daruma” combine to give Hachimaru a chance to live his dream.  With enough heart, could Hachimaru become a true samurai?

The Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru manga is creator Masashi Kishimoto's follow-up to his legendary, smash hit manga, Naruto.  [The Naruto sequel, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, is written and drawn by a new writer-artist team.]  Kishimoto created Samurai 8 and writes the story and produces the storyboards.  Newcomer artist Akira Okubo draws Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru.

Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru Graphic Novel Volume 1 is quite a read.  Kishimoto packs the six chapters that comprise Vol. 1 with internal mythology, although the cast, as yet, is not large.  The lead character, Hachimaru, seems like a blank slate.  What he does share with Naruto is a sense of determination, but Naruto was a more fully formed character in his first volume than Hachimaru is in his first volume.  However, Hachimaru's innocence is endearing, and that is the thing that draws me (at least) to him.

I don't know how much of Akira Okubo's work in these first six chapters is drawn with the aid of assistants, but Okubo's graphical style is gorgeous.  Okubo draws like the late Moebius, but the younger artist's compositions are not as streamlined as Moebius'.  In this first volume, the illustrations are so cluttered that they sometimes fill the graphical storytelling with the kind of static that comes between the artist/storyteller and his audience.

I don't want to make it sound like I have reservations about Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru.  I am excited about this series, and like Naruto and Boruto, I am eager for more.

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.


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

I Reads You Juniors January 2019 - Update #101

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Newsarama:  John Byrne will provide variant cover art for Detective Comics #999.

From GeeksWorldWide:  Warner Bros. is developing an animated feature film based on its late animated TV series, "Batman Beyond."

From THR:  Warner Bros. is staking out dates for upcoming its DC Comics films, including for Matt Reeves long-awaited, "The Batman."

From Variety:  Marvel Studios' Black Panther film will return to theaters, via AMC Theaters, from Feb. 1st to 7th, 2019 for free showings (at 250 participating AMC Theaters) to celebrate "Black History Month."

From TheGuardian:  Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" film wins the top award at the 25th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

From Newsarama:  Release dates for upcoming Marvel and DC Comics films.

From ComicBook:  "Black Panther" Wins SAG Award for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble

From BleedingCool:  For final "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill do "2000 AD."

From Newsarama:  Apparently DC Entertainment was rebranded as simply "DC" this past September 2018.

From Newsarama:  See Brendan Fraser as "Robotman" in DC Universe's streaming series, "Doom Patrol."

From ComicsBeat:  The legendary and wildly popular manga creator, Rumiko Takahashi, has won the "Grand Prix" at the comics art festival, FIBD Angoulême.

From ComicsBeat:  Heidi MacDonald on the DC Comics organization.

From Deadline:  Wednesday, Jan 23rd was a day of layoffs for employees of DC Comics, BuzzFeed, and Verizon, with DC laying off seven, including two SVP and one VP.

From Crunchyroll:  Manga creator, Junji Ito ("Tomie"), is scheduled to appear at "Crunchyroll Expo 2019."

From BleedingCool:  Marvel has a new rating, "Ages 10+".

From BleedingCool:  Is there major management restructuring at DC Comics?

From Newsarama:  Writer Eve Ewing and artist Joey Vazquez will help Marvel Comics launch "Marvel Team-Up" in April 2019.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics offered fewer titles in January 2018 than it did in January 2017.

OSCARS - From Newsarama:  Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" film was nominated for seven Oscars at the 2019 / 91st Academy Awards, including in the "best picture" category.

OSCARS - From ComicBook:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" was nominated for an Oscar in the "best animated feature" category at the 91st Academy Awards.

From CBR:  CBR's Anthony Gramuglia offers 10 things to know about "Samurai 8," the new manga from Naruto creator, Masashi Kishimoto.

From Newsarama:  The great George Perez has retired from comic book work and private commissions.

From ANN:  The manga "Takane & Hana" will be a live-action series on Japanese television on Fuji TV's on-demand service.

From BlastingNews:  "One Piece" creator, Eiichiro Oda, reveals that the international hit manga is about 80 percent finished.

From ComicBook:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" wins the 2019  Producers Guild Award as the top animated film of 2018.

From BleedingCool:  Warren Ellis may be reviving his seminal superhero team, "The Authority," in his current DC Comics' project, "The Wild Storm."

From EW:  Rob Liefeld, creator of Deadpool, will introduce a new "X-Men" character, "Major X," in a new six-issue series for Marvel Comics, entitled "Major X."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics and Target department store chain have made a deal for DC to produce a standalone 100-page anthology, "DC Primal Age," to promote the "DC Primal Age" Funko toy line.

From Newsarama:  Vin Diesel introduces the "Valiant Era" with a photo from his film, "Bloodshot" (from Sony Pictures), based on the Valiant Comics.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics go to war in Upper Deck's "Pack Wars."

From THR:  Top selling comic books of 2018 revealed.

From Previews:  Collen Doran is writing and illustrating a graphic novel adaptation of Neil Gaiman's story, "Snow, Glass, Apples."

From THR:  This article mentions in passing that writer-director Christopher McQuarrie has turned down multiple offers from Warner Bros. to direct a DC Comics film.

From Variety:  See the first official trailer to Sony/Marvel's "Spider-Man: Far From Home."  Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) make appearances.

From Newsarama:  Michael Avon Oeming and Dan Berman's comic book, "Six," is being developed for TV by Amazon.

From Newsarama:  Less than five years after the last reboot, Paramount Pictures is developing another reboot of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

From ComicBook:  Rumors abound about who Loki will be in the Disney+ streaming "Loki" series.

From Comicverse:  Seven Seas Entertainment announces it manga and novel releases for Fall 2019.

From BleedingCool:  I did not know that Glenn Fabry has tuberculosis, but he does and it is in remission.

MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Cartoonist, comic book creator and publisher, Batton Lash, has died at the age of 65, Saturday, January 12, 2019.  Lash is best known for his comic book, "Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre."  He also produced a number of cartoon depictions of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama that relied on tired, racist iconography because, he admitted, he was jealous of the praise and adulation that Barack received, and that he (Lash) as a white guy loser did not.

From KJZZ:  The Mexico-based comic book themed restaurant, ComicX, has picked its first U.S. location, and it is Phoenix, Arizona.

From ChicagoSunTimes:  Chicago siblings are joining the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA to produce a digital comic book.

From BleedingCool:  Rumor has it that the proposed "Gambit," "X-Force," and "Multiple Man" films are dead.

From BleedingCool:  New and much talked about U.S. Congresswoman, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, quoted Alan Moore and "Watchmen's" Rorschach.

From Newsarama:  The fourth issue of BOOM! Studios' "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" reboot will introduce a "historic slayer."

From Newsarama:  Gerry Conway, the co-creator of Marvel Comics' "The Punisher" says that police officers should not be embracing and appropriating Punisher iconography - especially The Punisher's skull emblem.

MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  British comic book artist, Ron Smith, died at the age of 94 or 95.  Smith is considered one of the iconic Judge Dredd artists.

From Newsarama:  Noted comic book writer and author, Brad Meltzer, has released a new book, "The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington."

From Deadline:  Grant Morrison's talks about his and Liam Sharp's "Green Lantern" revamp comic book, "The Green Lantern."

From Newsarama:  IDW has borrowed $28 million from its chairman and majority owner, Howard Jonas, to fund its TV and film division, IDW Entertainment.

From Newsarama: DC Comics is joining "comiXology Unlimited," "Kindle Unlimited," and "Amazon Prime."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics is developing the new "Amethyst" comic book series.  Some may remember the 1980s series.

From THR:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" wins "Best Animated Feature" at the 2019 Golden Globes.

From GoFundMe:  This is a campaign for a burial fund for late cartoonist, Barbara Shermund.

From Previews:  In late December 2018, CBS News spoke to comic book painter, Alex Ross.

From Newsarama:  Diamond Comics Distributors names its 2018 Diamond Gem Awards nominees.

From Vice:   January 1st, 2019 saw several works published in 1923 to fall into the public domain.

From BlastingNews:  Japan's "Weekly Shonen Jump" says that pirate manga, "One Piece," has reached 950 chapters.

From BleedingCool:  It's Alive to publish its first new comic book series, "Red Range: Pirates of Fireworld," a sequel to the graphic novel, "Red Range" by Joe. R. Lansdale.  Joe's son, Keith, is writing the new comic book.

From Newsarama: Black Panther's Letitia Wright has been nominated for the EE British Academy Film Awards' (BAFTA) EE Rising Star Award.

From TheOuterHaven:  Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the manga, "Naruto," has a new manga, "Samurai 8: Hachimaruden," which will begin this Spring in "Weekly Shonen Jump."  He will write the series with Okuba Akira drawing it.

From ComicBook:  "Attack on Titan" creator, Hajime Isayama, has announced that he was married in 2018, but is keeping the name of his spouse private.

From ANN:  Japanese publishers reveal some print counts for manga and light-novel series.

From BleedingCool:  Rob Liefeld says he has a project at Marvel Comics due this year...

From BleedingCool:  Comic book writers Charles Soule and Scott Snyder are working on a creator-owned comic book together.

From Newsarama:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" crossess the $200 million dollar mark in global box office.

From FlickeringMyth:  DC Universe teases 2019 line-up with sizzle reel trailer

From MiamiHerald:  Leonard Pitts, Jr. offers this history of "Comicsgate."

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BEST COMICS OF 2018 Lists:

From EW:  "Entertainment Weekly's" best comics of 2018

From NPR:  Best books of 2018 (with a comic books and graphic novels section)

From PasteMagazine:  The 15 best sci-fi and fantasy comics of 2018

From TheVerge:   The 10 bests comics of 2018
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JANUARY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for Jan. 2019 
From BleedingCool:  Aspen Comics for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for Jan. 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM Studios for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for Jan. 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for Jan. 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Papercutz for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for Jan. 2019

FEBRUARY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Full DC Comics catalog
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:   BOOM! Studios for Feb. 2019
From AdventuresinPoorTaste:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics solicitations for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for Feb. 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for Feb. 2019
From Seibertron:  IDW Publishing for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for Feb. 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for Feb. 2019

MARCH 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama: 01 First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama: Adhouse Books for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avatar Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avery Hill for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Cave Pictures Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Devil's Due/1First Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertaiment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Graphix for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Impact Theory for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Force for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama: Oni Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2019

APRIL 2019 COMIC SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aftershock Comics for 2019
From Newsarama:  Amigo Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for April 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2019
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama: Yen Press for April 2019