DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for December 28, 2021

DC COMICS:

Action Comics #1038 (Cover A Daniel Sampere),$4.99
Action Comics #1038 (Cover B Julian Totino Tedesco Card Stock Variant),$5.99
Aquaman Green Arrow Deep Target #3 (Of 7)(Cover A Marco Santucci),$3.99
Aquaman Green Arrow Deep Target #3 (Of 7)(Cover B Jonboy Meyers Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Aquaman The Becoming #4 (Of 6)(Cover A David Talaski),$3.99
Aquaman The Becoming #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Khary Randolph Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Batman Superman The Archive Of Worlds HC,$29.99
DC Connect #20,AR
DC Vs Vampires #3 (Of 12)(Cover A Otto Schmidt),$3.99
DC Vs Vampires #3 (Of 12)(Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Deathstroke Inc. #4 (Cover A Howard Porter),$3.99
Deathstroke Inc. #4 (Cover B Ivan Tao Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Detective Comics #1046 (Cover A Dan Mora),$4.99
Detective Comics #1046 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant),$5.99
Detective Comics #1046 (Cover C Stephen Segovia Card Stock Variant),AR
Flash #777 (Cover A Brandon Peterson),$3.99
Flash #777 (Cover B Jorge Corona Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Green Arrow The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Volume 2 HC,$150.00
Harley Quinn #10 (Cover A Riley Rossmo),$3.99
Harley Quinn #10 (Cover B Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Harley Quinn #10 (Cover C Rachta Lin Card Stock Variant),AR
Human Target #3 (Of 12)(Cover A Greg Smallwood),$4.99
Human Target #3 (Of 12)(Cover B Stanley Artgerm Lau),$4.99
Justice League #70 (Cover A Yanick Paquette),$4.99
Justice League #70 (Cover B Alexander Lozano Card Stock Variant,$5.99
Robin #9 (Cover A Simone Di Meo),$3.99
Robin #9 (Cover B Francis Manapul Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Robin #9 (Cover C Crystal Kung Card Stock Variant),AR
Superman ’78 #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Francis Manapul),$3.99
Superman ’78 #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Jamal Campbell Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Superman Red And Blue HC,$39.99
Superman Son Of Kal-El #5 (2nd Printing Travis Moore Card Cover),$3.99
Swamp Thing Green Hell #1 (Of 3)(Cover A Doug Mahnke),$6.99
Swamp Thing Green Hell #1 (Of 3)(Cover B Christian Ward),$6.99
Swamp Thing Green Hell #1 (Of 3)(Cover C Francesco Francavilla),AR
Task Force Z #3 (Cover A Eddy Barrows & Eber Ferreira),$3.99
Task Force Z #3 (Cover B Rodolfo Migliari Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Task Force Z #3 (Cover C Pamela Hoogeboom Card Stock Variant),AR
Teen Titans Academy #10 (Cover A Rafa Sandoval),$3.99
Teen Titans Academy #10 (Cover B Fico Ossio Card Stock Variant),$4.99

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#IReadsYou Review: GREEN ARROW: The Longbow Hunters: Book One

GREEN ARROW: THE LONGBOW HUNTERS: BOOK ONE (OF THREE)
DC COMICS

WRITER/ARTIST: Mike Grell
ASSIST: Lurene Haines
COLORS: Julia Lacquement
LETTERS: Ken Bruzenak
EDITOR: Mike Gold
COVER: Mike Grell
48pp, Color, $2.95 U.S., $3.95 CAN (1987)

Green Arrow is a DC Comics superhero.  Created by Mort Weisinger and designed by George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 (cover dated: November 1941).  Green Arrow is Oliver Jonas Queen, a wealthy businessman and owner of Queen Industries.

As Green Arrow, Queen wears a Robin Hood-like costume and is an archer who uses his skills to fight crime in the cities where he has lived.  Once upon a time, Green Arrow used a range of trick arrows or “specialty arrows” (explosive-tipped arrows, grappling hook arrows, and tear gas arrows, for instance).  The character has also been depicted differently over eight decades of existence by numerous creators.

Comic book writer-artist, Mike Grell, was first associated with Green Arrow over the period of 1974 to 1978.  First, Green Arrow was a back-up feature in Action Comics (1974-76) that Grell drew.  From 1976-78, Arrow was Green Lantern's partner in the comic book, Green Lantern, although the cover was titled "Green Lantern/Green Arrow."

Grell returned to the character in the 1987, three-issue, “prestige” comic book miniseries, Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters.  The Longbow Hunters began Grell's second association with the character, which ran for a little more than six years and which included an 80-issue run as writer of the Green Arrow (1988) ongoing series.  The Longbow Hunters finds an aging Oliver Queen haunted by both the life he has led and by the choices he did not make.  He is also hunting two brutal killers stalking the streets of his new hometown, Seattle.  The entire Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters series is written by Grell; drawn by Grell with his assistant, Lurene Haines; colored by Julia Lacquement; and lettered by the great Ken Bruzenak.

As Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Book One: The Hunters opens, the city of Seattle, Washington is being plagued by a serial killer, known as the “Seattle Slasher,” who has been killing prostitutes.  As the story begins, the Slasher claims his eighteenth victim.  Meanwhile, Ollie Queen/Green Arrow relocates from Star City to Seattle, the home of his girlfriend, Dinah Lance, who is also the superhero Black Canary.

Queen is 43-years-old, and he has changed his Green Arrow costume and has abandoned the use of his trademark trick arrows for more traditional archery equipment.  Queen wants to make another change in his life.  He is suffering something of a mid-life crisis, and he ruminates on the life he has led and the paths in life he did not take.  He and Dinah are opening a flower shop, “Sherwood Florist,” but he would also like to have a baby with Dinah.  As Black Canary, Dinah is working undercover to investigate a drug racket, and she believes that she and Oliver live too dangerous a life to consider becoming parents when their activities could leave a child an orphan.

Meanwhile, Green Arrow is also trying to track down the Seattle Slasher.  During his investigation, Queen encounters a mysterious young female archer named, Shado.  She has an elaborate dragon tattoo on her left arm, and she may have ties to the Yakuza.  Shado is also executing a group of elderly men who would have been of age for service during World War II.  Oliver cannot figure out what connects these men that Shado is killing, but some of her victims may have something to do with Dinah's case.  And these connections could get them all killed.

THE LOWDOWN:  Three and half decades later, when people speak or write about Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, they still talk about the gritty turn Mike Grell gave the character.  The truth is that from the year 1986 forward, DC Comics published science fiction and fantasy comics that were darker and edgier than any of their previous comics in those genres.  DC Comics titles took on more mature and adult themes, and some superheroes were grim, gritty, or grim and gritty or, in the case of Batman, grimmer than ever.

What Grell did with Green Arrow was different.  In Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, he began the process of making Green Arrow an urban hunter – a vigilante who stalked violent criminals from the streets to the suites.  Arrow became a hunter and his prey was the worst of male humanity.  On the civilian side, Grell made Oliver face his mortality, be thoughtful about the choices he made and did not make, and think back on the important moments of his youth.

The two women in Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters essentially reflect or represent what Oliver can have and what he could have become.  Dinah Lance/Black Canary is his future, if Oliver accepts certain realities.  Shado, had certain moments in his past turned out differently, is what Oliver could have become … or might become, given the right circumstances.

Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters is certainly one of the most beautiful miniseries that DC Comics published in the 1980s.  Mike Grell, with the assistance of Lurene Haines, drew the story in illustrative textures that have a Film-Noir quality that is perfect for both the narrative's thoughtful, moody moments and for its violence.  The hints of realism and fantasy are balanced by Julia Lacquement's coloring, which is perfectly fashioned for each moment of the narrative.  Of course, letterer Ken Bruzenak is in top form.  His lettering conveys the tone and pace of the story, perfectly, every step of the way.

This recent reading is at least the third time that I have read Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, but this is the first time in over twenty years.  Still, it never disappoints, so I plan to read it again … even if it takes me awhile to get back to it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mike Grell and of Green Arrow will want to read Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters.

A
9 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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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 19, 2020

DC COMICS

MAR200619    BATMAN BY GRANT MORRISON OMNIBUS HC VOL 03    $75.00
OCT190663    GREEN ARROW LONGBOW HUNTERS OMNIBUS HC VOL 01    $150.00

DC Comics from Lunar/UCS Distributors for July 21, 2020

DC COMICS:

Action Comics #1023 (Cover A John Romita Jr. & Klaus Janson), $3.99

Action Comics #1023 (Cover B Lucio Parillo), AR

Amethyst #4 (Of 6), $3.99

Batgirl #47 (Cover A Giuseppe Camuncoli), $3.99

Batgirl #47 (Cover B Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson), AR

Batman #95 (Cover A Jorge Jimenez), $3.99

Batman #95 (Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman #95 (Cover C Jorge Jimenez Joker Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Beyond #45 (Cover A Dan Mora), $3.99

Batman Beyond #45 (Cover B Francis Manapul), AR

Batman Beyond Volume 7 First Flight TP, $16.99

Books Of Magic #21, $3.99

Detective Comics #1024 (Cover A Brad Walker & Andrew Hennessy), $3.99

Detective Comics #1024 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant), AR

Flash #758 (Cover A Rafa Sandoval & Jordi Tarragona), $3.99

Flash #758 (Cover B In-Hyuk Lee), AR

Flash United They Fall TP, $17.99

Green Lantern Green Arrow Space Traveling Heroes HC, $49.99

House Of Mystery The Bronze Age Omnibus Volume 2 HC, $150.00

Joker Harley Criminal Sanity Secret Files #1 (Cover A David Mack), $5.99

Justice League Dark #24 (Cover A Yanick Paquette), $3.99

Justice League Dark #24 (Cover B John Giang), AR

Last God #7, $4.99

Shazam #13 (Cover A Dale Eaglesham), $3.99

Shazam #13 (Cover B Julian Totino Tedesco Card Stock Variant), AR

Wonder Woman Through The Years HC (July 15 per Diamond), $39.99

RANDOM HOUSE BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
Wonder Woman Adventures Volume 1 Diana And The Island Of No Return HC, $16.99

TWOMORROWS PUBLISHING
All-Star Bundle, $35.95
DC Companion Duo Bundle, $34.95

Games - NECA/WIZKIDS
FCBD 2020 DC Comics Dice Masters FCBD Promotional Team Pack Assortment, AR

Merchandise
Batman Super Powers Robin Maquette, AR
DC Comics Elseworld Series Batman Who Laughs ARTFX Statue, AR
DC Heroes Starfire 16 Inch Maquette, AR
DC Multiverse 7 Inch Scale Wave 2 Action Figure, AR
DC Multiverse Wave 2 Wonder Woman 7 Inch Scale Action Figure, AR
DC Multiverse Wave 2 Wonder Woman Gold 7 Inch Scale Action Figure, AR
DC Premier Collection Tas Batman Statue, AR
DC Supergirl Returns Bishoujo Statue, AR
Justice League Animated Aquaman Action Figure, AR
Justice League Animated Batman Action Figure, AR
Justice League Animated Green Lantern John Stewart Action Figure, AR
Justice League Animated Hawkgirl Action Figure, AR
Justice League Animated Martian Manhunter Action Figure, AR
Justice League Animated Superman Action Figure, AR
Justice League Animated The Flash Action Figure, AR
Justice League Animated Wonder Woman Action Figure, AR


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

I Reads You Juniors February 2019 - Update #94

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Newsarama:  Tom Bilyeu, the co-founder of the protein bar company, Quest Nutrition, is starting a comic book company, Impact Theory.

From SoutheastMissourian:  Saturday, February 23, 2019, the city of Jackson, Missouri celebrated native son, Roy Thomas' comic book career.  Thomas was a writer and editor-in-chief at Marvel Comics and also a longtime writer at DC Comics.

From BoundingIntoComics:  Actor Dean Cain, who portrayed Superman/Clark Kent in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," roasted Comic Book Resources (CBR) after they wrote an article asking, “Man of Tomorrow: Does #Superman Need to be White?

From ANN:  An interview with Mikio Ikemoto, the artist of the "Boruto" manga, the sequel to "Naruto."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics will make those 100-page giant comics that are exclusive to Wal-Mart stores available to comic book shops.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" film won three Oscars at the 91st Academy Awards.

From Newsarama:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" won the "Best Animated Feature" Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards last night (Sun., Feb. 24th).

From Newsarama:  Stan Sakai is taking his long-running comic book series, "Usagi Yojimbo," to IDW Publishing after 24 years at Dark Horse Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Ed Piskor's "X-Men: Grand Design" returns in May for his take on the "X-Tinction Agenda."

From Newsarama:  There will be an ongoing "Lois Lane" comic book from writer Greg Rucka and artist Mike Perkins.  There will also be a "Jimmy Olsen" comic book from writer Matt Fraction and artist Steve Lieber.

From GoodReader:  Shueisha Launches Global MANGA Plus Service, with 50 titles and 13 complete series.

From TheWeekUK:  Why Christians are outraged over DC Comics’ Jesus series

From Newsarama:  Batman will take on zombies in the new DC Comics series, "DCeased."

From Newsarama:  DC Collectibles will offer an exclusive version of its "Batman: Black and White" statue line to Walmart stores as 4-inch mini-figures.  The original versions were 9 inches.

From CBB:  Herve St. Louis launches a new webcomic, "Spit."  Here is strip #1 in English.
From CBB:  Spit webcomic, strip #1 in French.

From Newsarama:  Ivy Noelle Weir and Christina "Steenz" Stewart's graphic novel, "Archival Quality" (Oni Press) is the winner of the Fifth Annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics unveils the complete story lineup for "Detective Comics #1000, which hits stories March 27, 2019.

From ANN:   Naoki Urasawa's Asadora! Manga Returns in April

From MetroUK:  Who is Gerard Way, the creator of "The Umbrella Academy" comic book.

From ANN:  Q Hayashida, the creator of the Manga, "Dorohedoro," has drawn a cover for "Bloodborne: The Death of Sleep," the comic book adaptation of Software's video game.  The "Bloodborne" comic book is produced by Ales Kot and Piotr Kowalski.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics relaunching rumors.

From SyfyWire:  DC Comics' 25 cent "Year of the Villain" special coming before Free Comic Book Day 2019.

From Endgadget:  "Shonen Jump" announced an apparently new cheaper subscription program.

From DreadCentral:  VIZ Media announces new Junji Ito manga for the fall, "No Longer Human."

From Newsarama:  Red Sonja and Vampirella Meet Betty and Veronica.

From Newsarama:  Writer Brandon Thomas and artist Khary Randolph bring their comic book, "Excellence," to Image imprint, Skybound.

From Newsarama:  Archie Comics is changing the name of its long-running "Archie" comic book series to "Archie and Sabrina."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics cancelled its upcoming and controversial comic book, "Second Coming."  Now, writer Mark Russell is looking for another publisher.

From Bustle:  What are the origins of "Alita: Battle Angel?"

From Deadline:  Aftershock Comics previews its upcoming series, "Mary Shelley: Monster Hunter."

From IGN:  DC Consumer Products has entered a three-year license with Todd McFarlane's McFarlane Toys to produce action figures based on the "DC Multiverse."  The first figures will appear in 2020 and be 6" to 12" posable figures.

From TCAF:  Horror manga master, Junji Ito, will be the featured guest and official poster artist of the 2019 Toronto Comics Arts Festival (TCAF).

From Deadline:  Marvel TV and Hulu ink deal to produce a "Howard the Duck" "adult" animated series and a number of other animated series.  Kevin Smith will apparently oversee the "Howard the Duck" project.

From BleedingCool:  Is "The Exceptionals" a new Mark Millar Netflix project?

From Deadline:  Netflix and Sugar23 win a bidding war for film rights to "Faun," an upcoming short story from comic book writer and bestselling author, Joe Hill (a child of bestselling author, Stephen King).

From Newsarama:  Music from Marvel Studios' hit film, "Black Panther," wins two Grammys at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.  Its music received eight nominations overall.

From CBR:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has won Best Animated Film at the 2019 / 72nd BAFTA Awards.  This  British Academy Award is the twenty-sixth major award the animated film has earned since its release in December 2018, according to CBR.

From Newsarama:  The most excellent Dan Brereton is seeking to publish his late 1990s giant monster comic, "Giantkiller," in a new edition.

From Newsarama:  Warner Bros. is developing a spin-off of its global box office hit, "Aquaman."  Entitled "The Trench," it will reportedly have a "horror-tone."

IN MEMORIAM:  From Newsarama:  Comic book colorist, James Rochelle, died at the age of 48, Saturday, February 2, 2019.  He worked long stints for WildStorm and CrossGen, making his debut on "Gen 13 #1 in 1994.  Rochelle also colored comic books for Marvel and DC Comics, to name a few.  Rochelle also worked extensively in the video industry.

From CriticalHit:  Rob Liefeld offers a peek at his last Deadpool comic book story, "Deadpool: Badder Blood."

From Newsarama:  Comic book writer David F. Walker is launching his own comic book company, Solid Comix.

From Newsarama:  Aaron McGruder revives his beloved comic strip, "The Boondocks," for a short run.  The six new strips are drawn by Seung Kim, the animator on Cartoon Networks, "The Boondocks" animated TV series.  There may be more to come.

From Newsarama:  Greg Cox will bring back the Court of Owls in the prose novel, "Batman: The Court of Owls."

From Deadline:  "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is a new "Turtles" film headed to Netflix.  It will not be associated with the current Nickelodeon series of the same title.

From CBR:  Actor Harry Lloyd will portray Professor X in the third and final season of FX's X-Men TV series, "Legion."

From BleedingCool:  Ben Dunn of Antarctic Press proposes a coalition of independent comic book publishers.

From BleedingCool:  The graphic novel, "Fun Home," and the manga, "Assassination Classroom," are being removed from high school libraries.

From TheWrap:  "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" won all seven awards for which it was nominated at the 2019 / 46th Annie Awards, including for "Best Animated Feature."  70 percent of best animated feature winners at the Annie Awards wins the "Best Animated Feature" at the Oscars.

From TheWrap:  "Black Panther" was one of three top winners at the 23rd annual Art Directors Guild Awards.

From PasteMagazine:  The most anticipated comics of 2019:  Part One and Two.

From ANN:  Yen Press announces licenses for six manga, three novels, and one art book.

From Newsarama:  Comic Books' 10 Most Game-Changing Black Superheroes

From ANN:  VIZ Media's SuBLime imprint for yaoi manga announced that it has licensed "Scarlet Beriko's Fourth Generation Head: Tatsuyuki Oyamat" manga and plans to release it in print and digital this August.

From Crunchyroll:  The "Ultraman" manga will go on a two-month hiatus due to the health of Tomohiro Shimoguchi.

From ComicBook:  Lucasfilm gives some details on "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" tie-in comic books and novels.  Galaxy's Edge is an upcoming Disney resort.

From CBR:  Mike Grell is reviving his 1990s Image Comics title, "Maggie the Cat."  He will launch a Kickstarter to finish the series which saw only two issues published.

From Newsarama:  Mark Millar confirms a sequel to his [fantastic] miniseries, "The Magic Order."

From Newsarama:  Oni Press announces its Fall 2019 comics titles.

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

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 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  All publishers' solicitations link in one place.
From Newsarama:  01 First Second for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for April 2019
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aftershock Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for April 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:  Alterna Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Caliber Press for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Cave Pictures Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Drawn & Quarterly for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Heavy Metal for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for April 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Joe Books for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Keenspot for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge 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:  VIZ Media for April 2019
From Newsarama: Yen Press for April 2019

MAY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
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

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 10, 2018

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

AUG182016    007 DIARIES FILMING LIVE & LET DIE HC    $24.95
AUG182027    AFTER HOUDINI GN VOL 01    $16.99
AUG182516    AGAIN GN VOL 05 (MR)    $12.99
AUG181424    ALBERT EINSTEIN TIME MASON #1 CVR A JOHNSON    $3.99
AUG181425    ALBERT EINSTEIN TIME MASON #1 CVR B DONLEY    $3.99
JUL182109    ALL THE SAD SONGS GN    $10.00
JUL181728    ALONE GN VOL 09 BEFORE THE MIDNIGHT CHILD    $11.95
MAY181315    ANIMOSITY #16 (MR)    $3.99
AUG182119    ANNE FRANKS DIARY GRAPHIC ADAPTATION HC    $24.95
JUN181383    APOCALYPSE GIRL #4 (RES)    $3.99
AUG181581    ARCHIE TP VOL 06    $17.99
AUG181587    ARCHIES HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR #1    $2.99
AUG181596    ARTIFACT ONE #1 CVR A MORANELLI    $3.99
AUG181597    ARTIFACT ONE #1 CVR B MAVINGA    $3.99
AUG181752    BELLADONNA FIRE FURY #1 EMERALD GREEN LEATHER (MR)    $24.99
AUG181751    BELLADONNA FIRE FURY #1 SUPERIOR SEDUCTIVE (MR)    $19.99
AUG181750    BELLADONNA FIRE FURY #1 SUPERIOR VINTAGE MAIDEN (MR)    $19.99
AUG181593    BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #267    $6.99
APR181385    BLACK AF WIDOWS & ORPHANS #3 (MR)    $3.99
AUG182368    BLACK KNIGHT #1 (OF 5) CVR A CHEN    $3.99
AUG182369    BLACK KNIGHT #1 (OF 5) CVR B VITORINO    $3.99
AUG182370    BLACK KNIGHT #1 (OF 5) CVR C ANACLETO    $3.99
AUG182371    BLACK KNIGHT #1 (OF 5) CVR D QUAH    $3.99
AUG182372    BLACK KNIGHT #1 (OF 5) CVR E COLAPIETRO    $3.99
AUG182373    BLACK KNIGHT #1 (OF 5) CVR F BLANK SKETCH CVR    $10.00
JUL182037    BREAKING TEN SET    $24.99
AUG182128    CAMUS FIRST MAN GN    $25.95
AUG182449    CASE CLOSED GN VOL 68    $9.99
AUG182075    CATALYST PRIME ASTONISHER #11    $3.99
MAY181355    CAVEWOMAN MARSHVILLES BEAUTIES #1 (OF 1) CVR A MASSEY (MR)    $3.99
MAY181358    CAVEWOMAN MARSHVILLES BEAUTIES #1 (OF 1) CVR D ROOT NUDE ED    $PI
MAY181361    CAVEWOMAN MARSHVILLES BEAUTIES #1 (OF 1) CVR G VALENTINA (NE    $PI
AUG182219    COMIC BOOK STORY OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING GN    $18.99
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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 21, 2017

DC COMICS

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Review: JON SABLE, FREELANCE #1

JON SABLE, FREELANCE No. 1
FIRST COMICS

[This review originally appeared on Patreon.]

STORY/ART: Mike Grell
LETTERS: Peter Iro
COLORS: Janice Cohen
EDITOR: Mike Gold
32pp, Color, $1.00 U.S., $1.25 CAN (June 1983)

“The Iron Monster!”

Jon Sable, Freelance was a comic book series created, written, and drawn by Mike Grell.  In 1983, it was one of the first comic book series released by the then fledgling publisher, First Comics.  The series lasted 56 issues from 1983 to 1988.  There was a follow-up series (Sable) and a reprint series (Mike Grell's Sable).   After the demise of First Comics, Grell produced new comics either featuring or starring Jon Sable, including two miniseries over the last decade.

Jon Sable, Freelance focused on Jonathan Sable, a bounty hunter and mercenary who previously had been an athlete in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.  After living, working, and experiencing tragedy in Africa, Sable returned to the United States.  He became a freelance mercenary, but led a secret, double life as “B.B. Flemm,” children's book author.

Jon Sable, Freelance #1 (“The Iron Monster!”) opens with Sable as “B.B. Flemm” being interviewed by a New York City television station.  Returning home that night, he finds three intruders whom he quickly dispatches.  However, the men were a test from someone who wants to be Sable's latest client.

Although he is not addressed directly by name, President Ronald Reagan is that client.  The President is scheduled to speak before the United Nations the following evening, but he has information that there will be an assassination attempt on him.  Sable accepts the assignment to stop the assassin, who turns out to be someone with whom Sable once worked.

Jon Sable, Freelance, as I remember it, had some similarities to a television crime drama.  It was like a combination of CBS' “The Equalizer,” NBC's “Banacek,” and a little of ABC's “Hart to Hart.”  The series read like a weekly drama, even when the story ran over more than one issue.  There was a soap opera quality to Jon Sable, Freelance, but instead of melodrama, there is a sense of mystery.

I think what made the series such an attractive read was Mike Grell's lush artwork.  His solid draftsmanship was defined by tight compositions, smooth brushwork, and delicate feathering.  The art often had a painterly quality, so the graphical storytelling sometimes seemed like narrative painting.  Every panel informed the reader than Jon Sable, Freelance was a labor of love by Grell.

I found Jon Sable, Freelance #1 at the Louisiana Comic Con in Lafayette, LA (October 17th and 18th, 2015), and it only cost me one dollar.  I hope I encounter the retailer, Big M Comics (?), at another convention.  He had lots of issues of Jon Sable, Freelance.

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: CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE MIGHTY AVENGERS #1

CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE MIGHTY AVENGERS #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Al Ewing
ART: Luke Ross
COLORS: Rachelle Rosenberg
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Luke Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Ryan Benjamin; Ulises Farinas with Ryan Hill; Skottie Young; Mike Grell with Chris Sotomayor
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Rated “T+”

Captain America created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; The Avengers created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

As part of its “Avenger NOW!” initiative, Marvel Comics is debuting some new titles and relaunching others.  Captain America & The Mighty Avengers is a re-launch of the recent The Mighty Avengers, and it arrived at the same time as All-New Captain America.  Written by Al Ewing (who wrote the previous Mighty Avengers series), drawn by Luke Ross, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, and lettered by Cory Petit, this series finds the new-look Captain America (Sam Wilson a.k.a. The Falcon) as the leader of The Mighty Avengers.

Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 (“We Take Care Of Our Own”) opens with Captain America in action, and he ain't playin' at all, girl.  Meanwhile, the Amazing Spider-Man is trying to make up with the Mighty Avengers for the actions of the Superior Spider-Man, but is Luke Cage buyin' Amazing's story.

I read the first issue of The Mighty Avengers #1 sometime ago, and was not interested enough to read past the first issue.  It was not a bad comic book, but I simply could not find a reason to keep reading, beyond mild curiosity.  And comic books are too expensive, or at least they are too expensive for a “mild curiosity” purchase.

Now, Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 opens in the aftermath of Avengers & X-Men: Axis, which saw some personality changes among the super-powered set.  So some of our favorite superheroes, particularly The Avengers, are acting in strange ways or sport darker persona.  The good thing about this new title is that “dark” and “menacing” do not result in a “grim and gritty” comic book.  Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1 is a fun read.  Heck, I might read more... because fun can make sticker shock go away.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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