I Reads You: Review

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Thursday, June 11, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: NIGHT CLUB II #5

NIGHT CLUB II #5 (OF 6)

DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Juanan Ramírez

COLORS: Fabiana Mascolo

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

COVER: Juanan Ramírez with Fabiana Mascolo

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Juanan Ramirez

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2025)

Rating: 18+

Night Club created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Night Club II is a six-issue miniseries written and created by Mark Millar and drawn by Juanan Ramírez. A Dark Horse Comics publication and a Netflix production, Night Club II is a sequel to the 2023 miniseries, Night Club. Both series focus on a teen boy who is bitten by a vampire and decides to make the best of his new condition. Colorist Fabiana Mascolo and letterer Clem Robins complete Night Club II's creative team.

Night Club II focuses on 17-year-old Danny Garcia. After being turned into a vampire, he passed his new found powers unto his friends, DJ Sam Huxley and Amy Chen. Now, they're the superheroes: Starguard (Danny), Thundercloud (Sam), Yellowbird (Amy). But jealousy has broken up this vampire-superhero trio and opened the door to a disaster of newer, more nihilistic and narcissistic vampires.

Night Club II #5 opens in Philadelphia, specifically at St. Luke's Hospital. Amy is there to steal blood. In fact, she has been stealing from blood banks all over the city. Why is Amy a blood thief?

Risso, Kendra, and their vampire gang killed Danny and Sam. Amy believes that if vampires are real, then, some of the stories and myths about them must be real, also. Relying mostly on old horror movies, Amy has concocted an idea of how to bring her friends back from... the wherever.

Meanwhile, Risso pays a visit to someone to whom he believes he owes a flex. Plus, the Philly police are deep into an investigation of all these missing teens.

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics. The latest received is Night Club II #5.

Night Club II is full of surprises, and writer Mark Millar always drops surprises in his comic books. The unexpected is to be expected, and this fifth issue of Night Club II does not disappoint. The Hammer Film Productions vampire movies are clearly a point of reference here. Christopher Lee first plays Count Dracula in Hammer's 1958 film, Dracula (known as Horror of Dracula in the U.S.). In later Hammer-Lee Dracula films, the Count is revived via methods that are similar to the process Amy is using to revive her partners in superhero/vampire crime.

Artist Juanan Ramírez has built this narrative on capturing the reckless nature of young people with too much power, regardless of whether this power is natural or supernatural and criminal or evil. Ramirez's storytelling has made Night Club II a vampire comic book like no other. He brings Millar's unique concept to life with a style that is both gaudy and earthy. Night Club jumps off the page with Ramirez's incomparable graphics, and colorist Fabiana Mascolo brings the funk and flash to Ramirez's art. Clem Robins' lettering, as always, is a perfect accompaniment.

Night Club II does not disappoint, dear readers. It's vampire+.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and of vampire comic books will want to be bitten by Night Club II.

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

This fifth issue is reprinted in the trade paperback, "NIGHT CLUB VOLUME 2," which is available at Amazon.

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Tuesday, June 9, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: PERSEPOLIS: The Story of a Childhood

PERSEPOLIS: THE STORY OF A CHILDHOOD

PANTHEON

CARTOONIST: Marjane Satrapi

TRANSLATION: Mattias Ripa and Blake Ferris

LETTERS: Eve Deluze

COVER: Marjane Satrapi with Jean-Christopher Menu

ISBN: 978-0-375-71457-3; paperback (June 2004)

164pp, B&W, $13.95, $17.95 CAN

Marjane Satrapi was an Iranian and French comics creator, graphic novelist, film director, and children's book author. She died recently (June 2026) at the age of 56. Her best-known work was the Persepolis, a series of graphic novels about her childhood and early adulthood in Iran and Austria during and after the “Islamic Revolution” (also known as the “Iranian Revolution”).

Satrapi would later co-direct (with Vincent Paronnaud) the animated feature film, Persepolis, an adaptation of the graphic novels. The film was released in 2007. Satrapi became the first woman to be nominated for a “Best Animated Feature” Oscar, when the film was nominated for the 80th Academy Awards.

French comics publisher, L'Assocation, published Persepolis as four graphic novels. In 2004, Pantheon Books published the four graphic novels as two English-language graphic novels: Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood and Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return.

In 2006, Pantheon sent me a review copy of the 2004 reprint edition of the first volume. I am re-posting the review of the book that I originally wrote for another website:

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Although its American edition is two years old, Persepolis is worthy of continuous discussion. Cartoonist Marjane Satrapi tells the story of her childhood, growing up in late 70’s and early 80’s Iran, under the oppressive regime of the Shah (Part 1), and, then, the perilous existence during years of the Islamic Revolution and the Iran/Iraq War (Part 2).

For the U.S. edition, Pantheon combined Parts 1 and 2 into Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (The American edition Persepolis 2 combines Parts 3 and 4). L’Association, the French publishing house, originally published Persepolis in French, and Satrapi’s husband, Mattias Ripa, translated Part 1 into English with Blake Ferris translating Part 2.

Satrapi’s narrative is a mixture of several ingredients that enrich her story. She blends the history of Iran (Persepolis was an ancient ceremonial capitol of Persia, now known as Iran) with her family’s history. She places her ambitions next to those of her parents, and her view of religion and faith often clashes with theirs.

Parts of her story are a document of the world in which she lives, and much of the story is also internal and separate from an outside reality. Satrapi makes Iran’s recent history engaging by putting human faces on it, and makes her fictional self more interesting and a fuller character by putting herself in the context of larger events.

Satrapi draws in a simple, flexible, pliable line, and uses blocks of black to create simple forms and recognizable shapes. This makes for an uncomplicated, but universal comics language. Comparable to Maus, Persepolis is an excellent comic book that reveals the diversity and breath of comics storytelling. If only the real powers-in-charge of big American comics publishing attempted works like Persepolis.

A+

10 out of 10

EDITED with additions to the 2006 original review: Sunday, June 7, 2026

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

You can read the complete "Persepolis" in "THE COMPLETE PERSEPOIS: 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION, which is available at Amazon.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/

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Saturday, June 6, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND #2

ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND VOLUME 1 #2

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone

ART: Kewber Baal

COLORS: Walter Pereya

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Dave Acosta with Walter Pereya

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2023)

Rated Teen+

Chapter Two: “Frankie Goes to Hollywood”

In 1981, actress and model Cassandra Peterson created the “horror hostess character,” known as “Elvira.” Elvira gradually grew in popularity and eventually became a brand name. As Elvira, Peterson endorsed many products and became a pitch-woman, appearing in numerous television commercials throughout the 1980s.

Elvira also appeared in comic books, beginning in 1986 with the short-lived series from DC Comics, Elvira's House of Mystery. In 2018, Elvira returned to comic books via Dynamite Entertainment. Elvira's latest comic book series is Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1. The series is written by David Avallone; drawn by Kewber Baal; colored by Walter Pereyra; and lettered by Taylor Esposito. The series finds Elvira returning to the Multiverse of Movies (a bunch of “pocket dimensions” created by the existence of movies) in order to stop Vlad the Impaler and the creation of a monster army.

Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #2 (“Frankie Goes to Hollywood”) opens in the universe of director Carl Laemmle, Jr.'s 1931 film, Frankenstein. And Elvira finds the hands of the title character around her neck, but she has bigger problems – believe it or not.

Elvira's arch-enemy, Vlad the Impaler – the original Count Dracula – is raiding the Multiverse of Movies in order to convince a bevy of famous film monsters into joining him in the creation of a monster army. He is also willing to kidnap and snatch-up. Can Elvira stop Vlad – this time – before he makes off with actor Boris Karloff as Frankenstein. Meanwhile, Elvira begins to wonder if Vlad is really the mastermind behind this.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. One of them is Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #2, one of many Dynamite/David Avallone Elvira comic books that I have read and enjoyed.

I like black and white horror movies, especially of the variety known as “Universal Monsters,” so I find myself delightfully entertained by “Frankie Goes to Hollywood.” I also like how writer David Avallone makes even Vlad the Impaler a funny guy. Obviously, he's the villain, but there is a dexterity in the way Avallone depicts him. He's isn't just bad muscle.

Artist Kewber Baal's art perfectly captures the humor of Elvira, the witty dialogue of Elvira, and the cleavage of Elvira. Avallone's Elvira's comic books are a high-spirited affair, and Baal's storytelling hits the heights. Colorist Walter Pereyra and letterer Taylor Esposito also contribute to the liveliness of this funky chapter.

Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #2 offers a passing reference to Return of the Jedi (1983) in addition to the Universal references. There is even a setup reference via An American Werewolf in London (1981). So let's return for some more fun, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Elvira and of David Avallone's Elvira comic books will want to read Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1.

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

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

This second issue is collected in the collection, "ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND," which is available in Kindle, hardcover, and paperback editions at Amazon.

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Thursday, June 4, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: VATICAN CITY #3

VATICAN CITY #3 (OF 3)

DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Per Berg

COLORS: Per Berg

LETTERS: Per Berg

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Per Berg

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Per Berg

32pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (June 2025)

Rating: 18+

Vatican City created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Vatican City is a three-issue Millarworld miniseries from Dark Horse Comics. It is created and written by Mark Millar and drawn, colored, and lettered by Per Berg. Vatican City is set in a world overrun by vampires, except for Vatican City, which is the main target of the vampires.

Vatican City finds the vampire race revealing itself for the first time in ages. Their goal is “Vatican City,” the independent city-state within Rome, Italy that is the government of the “Holy See” (the Pope and the Papacy). Now, Guido Cavelti, recently of the Swiss Air Force, leads the human resistance to an invasion of monsters determined to get something that is buried deep beneath Vatican City.

Vatican City #3 opens in Vatican City, Rome. Guido Cavelti believes that he now has some leverage to save the remaining humans inside the iconic Vatican church, St Peter's Basilica, from the vampire horde that surrounds the Vatican. That leverage exists in the form of the sarcophagus that holds the body of “Gel-Gorge-Eh,” the vampire queen, and the vampires want that body in order to revive her.

However, things don't go as expected for either these last few humans or the vampires. Can prayer save the day?

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics. The latest received is Vatican City #3.

As I expected, writer Mark Millar throws this huge curve ball in this final issue of Vatican City. Call it a shocker, twist, or surprise, but it completely wrecked my expectations. How this narrative resolves is also a big surprise. The point is that Millar once again delivers sterling genre entertainment.

Per Berg (also known as Per Darwin Berg or by the pen name, “Narwhal”) delivers a finale that is both dreamlike and surreal. His art, colors, and letters are both representational and impressionistic, which, from the beginning, allowed Berg to depict a world that was rapidly shifting from the natural to the supernatural. He created a sense of uncertainty in a genre – vampire fiction – in which many storytellers often try to be literal and conservative even in the most fantastic scenarios. Here, instead, Berg offers the unusual.

Millar and Berg gave readers a reason to come back for the third issue, and now, they've given us a reason to come back for the trade paperback collection, which is due this fall. I suggest that you, dear readers, read this anyway you can.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar, of vampire comic books, and of horror apocalypse will want to read Vatican City.

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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

"Vatican City #3" is reprinted in the trade paperback collection, "VATICAN CITY," which is available at Amazon.

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

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http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://www.darkhorse.com/

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Tuesday, June 2, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: THE MAGIC ORDER 5 #3

THE MAGIC ORDER 5 #3 (OF 6)

DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Matteo Buffagni

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Matteo Buffagni with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Matteo Buffagni

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2024)

Rating: 18+

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix

“The Death of Cordelia Moonstone”

The Magic Order 5 is a six-issue miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Matteo Buffagni. This is the fifth installment of The Magic Order series, which began with the 2018-19 miniseries written by Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel. The Magic Order is a band of sorcerers, magicians, and wizards – with a focus on the Moonstone family and its leader, Cordelia Moonstone – that live ordinary lives by day, but protect humanity from darkness and monsters of impossible sizes by night. Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series creative team.

The Magic Order 5 finds Cordelia preparing for her death – the punishment for using black magic (back in Volume 1). However, a new case has dropped itself in front of her, but it all may be a front for some really bad people trying to collect the price on Cordelia's head. The end is coming in three days.

The Magic Order 5 #3 opens on a lonely, rural Vermont road. “Skin-Walker Sam,” the magical hit-man, makes his latest move in a track that will bring him closer to his target, Cordelia Moonstone. Meanwhile, Cordelia believes that she has uncovered the identity of the entities behind the kidnapping of male toddlers from across the country. The “why” is horrific, especially because the perpetrators were supposedly destroyed by The Magic Order long ago.

Later, when a walk in the city turns into a dog day afternoon, Cordelia will have to rely on a really bad hombre, Clyde Bailey, to save her life. Meanwhile, Sister Moon is sending someone to claim the magic world's most attractive bounty.

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics. The latest received is The Magic Order 5 #3.

I have often said that The Magic Order is my favorite of the titles that Mark Millar has created for Netflix since it bought Millarworld. Millar has filled this franchise with surprises, and each issue of The Magic Order 5 gets crazier with the unexpected. The Magic Order has previously been described as “Harry Potter series meets The Godfather,” and if that is true, then, it is more like The Godfather. I will say that adults who have to tolerate Harry Potter only because of their kids will find that someone has created a supernatural drama and crime thriller just for them.

The art team of Matteo Buffagni and colorist Giovanna Niro are delivering stellar work early in this series. At the halfway point, Buffagni's storytelling dives deep into the peril of Cordelia Moonstone with Niro's coloring blazing a dazzling path to the finale. As usual, Clem Robins's lettering is the gentle chamber music by which to read this deathwatch.

The Magic Order 5 is plotting something mind-bending; that I know, dear readers. Don't miss the twenty-first century's best American comic book about wizards and sorcerers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order 5.

A+

10 out of 10

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

The Magic Order Volume 5 is currently available via a Kindle edition at Amazon.

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://www.darkhorse.com/

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Friday, May 29, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: Ben 10 Returns

BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: BEN 10 RETURNS

DEL REY MANGA

WRITER: Elizabeth Hurchalla

LETTERS: Tomás Montalvo-Lagos

ISBN: 978-0-345-51438-7; paperback; (December 30, 2008)

96pp, Color, $7.99 U.S., $8.99 CAN

Rating “Y: All Ages”

Del Rey Manga and Cartoon Network Enterprises entered into a publishing partnership, and the latest book to emerge from that deal is Ben 10 Alien Force: Ben 10 Returns. "Ben 10" and its successor, "Ben 10: Alien Force," are animated television series that have been staples on the Cartoon Network since 2005. Ben 10 Alien Force: Ben 10 Returns is a film-comic book, in which the art is actually created by incorporating full-color stills from animated film (in this case, Ben 10: Alien Force) into the comics storytelling format.

When the pilot episode of Ben 10 aired on Cartoon Network back in December 2005, it introduced viewers to Benjamin “Ben” Tennyson, a typical 10-year-old boy, whose life was about to change. He found a mysterious, watch-like device called the Omnitrix. It became permanently attached to Ben’s wrist, but allowed him to transform into a variety of alien life forms. Ben uses the device to become a superhero and to fight both alien and criminal menaces. He does this with the assistance of his cousin, Gwendolyn “Gwen” Tennyson, and Maxwell “Max” Tennyson AKA his “Grandpa Max.” At the end of the “Ben 10” series (in April 2008), Ben resumed his life as a normal teen.

That same month, the follow up series, Ben 10: Alien Force debuted. It is set 5 years after the events of the original series. Del Rey Manga’s film-comic, Ben 10 Alien Force: Ben 10 Returns adapts the first two episodes of Season One of Alien Force – “Ben 10 Returns: Part 1” and Ben 10 Returns: Part 2.” Now a confident 15-year-old, Ben is still living a normal life and no longer wears the Omnitrix.

When Ben discovers that Grandpa Max is missing, he seeks help from Gwen, but the cousins’ reunion is interrupted by an alien colleague of their grandfather’s, Magister Laprin. Laprin alerts them to an alien conspiracy that forces Ben and Gwen back into action, where they encounter new aliens and once again meet Ben’s rival, Kevin Levin.

THE LOWDOWN: I’ve never watched more than a few minutes of any Ben 10 episode, for no particular reason. Strangely, however, I’m a fan of the Ben 10 comics that have appeared in DC Comics’ wonderful anthology, Cartoon Network Action Pack, which offers comic book adaptation of popular Cartoon Network series. Ben 10 Alien Force: Ben 10 Returns is just like those comics, except that it’s a film-comic version of two Ben 10: Alien Force episodes.

The adaptation – transforming the TV episodes into a comic book – by Elizabeth Hurchalla is sharp and crisp, which makes for a quick read that focuses on action and plot rather than on character. Readers who are familiar with the television series already know Ben Tennyson, anyway. If not, all that new readers need to know – who the good and bad guys are – Hurchalla’s straightforward script provides. The art, pulled from Ben 10: Alien Force, is good quite simply because the design work on the Ben 10 TV series has been so good.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: No doubt Ben 10 Alien Force: Ben 10 Returns is a perfect comic book for young fans of the show, whether they’ve ever read a comic book or not.

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

RE-EDITED: Thursday, May 27, 2026 by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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Tuesday, May 26, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: THE TERMINATOR #1 (2024)

THE TERMINATOR VOLUME 1, ISSUE #1

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Declan Shalvey; Sal Crivelli

ART: Luke Sparrow with Colin Craker; Colin Craker

COLORS: Colin Craker

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Nate Cosby

COVER: Declan Shalvey

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Edwin Galmon; Sway; David Cousens; Alex Ross; Declan Shalvey

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2024)

Rated “Teen”

The Terminator created by James Cameron

“Out of Time” and “Buried Alive”

The Terminator is a 1984 American science fiction action film. It would be the beginning of a media and merchandising franchise that yielded several films, a live-action television series, an anime streaming series, and video games, to name a few.

Co-written by the film's director, James Cameron, and producer, Gale Anne Hurd, The Terminator focuses on three characters. The first is a cyborg, called a “Terminator,” that is sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill a young woman. Her name is “Sarah Connor,” and she is destined to give birth to “John Connor.” John will grow up to be the savior of mankind when he successful leads human military forces against the Terminators creator, “Skynet,” a AI super-intelligence determined to destroy humankind. The third character is “Kyle Reese,” a soldier from 2029 sent to the past by an adult John Connor to protect his mother.

One aspect of the Terminator franchise is comic book publishing. Beginning in 1988, numerous publishers, including the defunct NOW Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Marvel Comics, IDW Publishing, and Dynamite Entertainment, among others, have published Terminator comic books. Dynamite has the license again and is kicking it off with The Terminator Volume 1. It is written by Declan Shalvey; drawn by Luke Sparrow and Colin Craker; colored by Craker; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry. The Terminator Volume 1 takes place post-original film and finds Skynet sending Terminators throughout time in a bid to destroy all the people they see as threats and also their ancestors.

The Terminator Volume 1 #1 (“Out of Time”) opens in Alaska in the year 2018. Harper and Penny have been on the run for almost 40 years. In the beginning, they thought they were running from the man who showed up and destroyed their lives. He wouldn't stop hunting them, and he killed both their parents and killed Penny's brother. But they are about to discover that this man is not what he seems, and perhaps, is more than he seems.

After failing to kill either Sarah Connor or her son, John, Skynet has another plan. There is a new front in the “War Against the Machines.” Terminators are dispatched across the globe and throughout time to target current resistance fighters, their ancestors, and anyone else unlucky enough to be in Skynet's strike zones. These secondary assignments are as straightforward as the primary missions of the T-800 and T-1000 Terminators of the first two films, and time is literally on the machines' side. When all of history becomes a war zone, nowhere and no time are safe.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. The Terminator Volume 1, Issue #1 is the latest, but it is not the first Terminator comic book that I have read.

The spirit and creativity of James Cameron and his creation, the Terminator franchise, hang over this first issue of The Terminator Volume 1, and that will certainly be the case throughout this particular series run. This new comic book launches itself off the events depicted in the original film, The Terminator (1984) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), both co-written and directed by Cameron. I have to give writer Declan Shalvey credit; this first issue is a page-turning read that introduces this series central conceit. Judging by the first issue, I think Shalvey will offer some fun issues.

The art team of Luke Sparrow and Colin Craker present a small press aesthetic with a simplicity that deftly conveys the sense of fear and dread that hangs over any narrative about Terminators hunting people. The violent action is straightforward and brutal and is effective without any illustrative theatrics. Harper and Penny's plight seems genuine and consequential. Colin Craker's colors even give the story a dark future mode and mood, while Jeff Eckleberry's clean lettering effectively delivers the sparse dialogue and exposition that Shalvey efficiently offers in this opening issue.

In addition to the main story, there is a back-up story, entitled “Buried Alive,” that introduces itself with a two-page opener. It is not as if “Out of Time” is not good enough, but this first issue offers an exciting teaser for a second serial. I gotta say, dear readers, that my initial skepticism, though light, was a thing. After this first issue, it's no longer a thing, so you should read this first issue... at least.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of The Terminator franchise will want to read The Terminator Volume 1.

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

"The Terminator #1" is reprinted in the collection THE TERMINATOR VOL. 1: OUT OF TIME, which is available in hardcover and paperback editions at Amazon.

https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Wednesday, May 13, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: RED SONJA Black White Red #7

RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED #7
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone; Shannon Watters; Bob Q
ART: Jonathan Lau; Ro Stein; Bob Q
COLORS: Kike J. Diaz; Ted Brandt; Bob Q
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Phil Hester
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joshua Sway Sway; Bob Q; Phil Hester; Gracie the Cosplay Lass (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2022)

Rated Teen+

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

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

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

Red Sonja Black White and Red #7 is comprised of three stories. The first story is “Blood on Snow,” which is written by Ron Marz; drawn by Mirko Colak; and colored by Kike J. Diaz. The second is “Unbowed,” which is written by Phil Hester and drawn and colored by Heidi Blair. The third story is “Sonja's Gambit,” which is written Amy Chu and drawn and colored by Andres Labrada. All the stories are lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.

I'll comment on each story individually.

THE LOWDOWN: In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. One of them is Red Sonja Black White and Red #7, which is the sixth issue of the title that I have read.

“Blood on Snow” by Ron Marz, Mirko Colak, Kike J. Diaz, and Jeff Eckleberry:
The story opens in snowy Nordheim. Wounded, Red Sonja finds herself pursued by the men of the chieftain she just killed. The She-Devil with a Sword takes shelter in an ancient temple. Now, the two sides face off, but whose blood will stain the snow?

“Blood on Snow” is a classic Red Sonja tale pitting her against men with murder on their minds. The story has a cool monster twist, and it is effectively done with nice art by Mirko Colak. Also, this could be a classic Conan tale.

“Unbowed” by Phil Hester, Heidi Blair, and Jeff Eckleberry:
Red Sonja has a mission – return the body of a former teacher to the convent they both once called home. The path she takes brings her into conflict with the “Wolf Clan.” Can Red Sonja make it? Is the She-Devil with a Sword like her late teacher, unbowed?

“Unbowed” is one of the best stories I have read in this anthology series. Heidi Blair's art captures the subtly poignant mood that Phil Hester gives this story. However, don't think for a minute that “Unbowed” lacks hacking and slashing. It is simply that the drama here is so strong.

“Sonja's Gambit” by Amy Chu, Andres Labrada, and Jeff Eckleberry:
The story opens somewhere near the southern border Hyrkania. Thamyris, a queen, traps Sonja in a magical game of chess. Unfamiliar with the game, Sonja must make a gambit...

I like Andres Labrada's art in this story, and although “Sonja's Gambit” isn't a great Red Sonja tale, it is a nice little magical story.

It is hard for me to pick a favorite story from the offerings in Red Sonja Black White and Red #7. I'll go with “Unbowed,” although “Blood on Snow” is a close second.

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

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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

"Red Sonja Black White Red #7 is reprinted in the hardcover collection, RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED VOL. 2, which is available at Amazon.

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

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Wednesday, May 6, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: NEMESIS FOREVER #1

NEMESIS FOREVER #1 (OF 5)

DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Mateo Scalera

COLORS: Giovanna Niro with Laura Ciondolini

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Matteo Scalera with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (August 2025)

Age range: 18+

Nemesis created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

Nemesis Forever is a new five-issue comic book miniseries from writer Mark Millar and publisher Dark Horse Comics. It is a sequel to the miniseries, Nemesis Reloaded (2023) and Nemesis Rogues' Gallery (2024). Besides Millar, the rest of the creative team is comprised of Matteo Scalera (artist); Giovanna Niro (colors); and Clem Robins (letters).

Nemesis Forever #1 opens in an apartment building on the Lower East Side of New York City. Nemesis, the world's greatest assassin, is a billionaire, and he is tired of terrorizing the hapless forces of law and order. His new plan is to wreak havoc on his enemies and seize control of the world itself, enslaving humanity with super-technology.

Now, a CIA undercover agent, Kitty Tepper, may be the only hope in leading the cause to stop Nemesis' mission hammer the world into submission. But the world's greatest assassin did not become the world's greatest assassin by not knowing real from fake...

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics. Nemesis Forever #1 is the latest PDF that I have received.

I would not be surprised to learn that Nemesis is among Mark Millar's favorite creations, if not the favorite. It is obvious in the absolute glee with which Millar fashions a suite of unrelenting cruelty on the part of his anti-hero slash villain. In a way, Nemesis Forever recalls the opening of Millar and Steve McNiven's original Nemesis (2010) miniseries.

The always excellent Matteo Scalera creates the perfect graphical storytelling for the first issue. He brings Millar's script to life as a symphony of inhuman cruelty, and the art is just plain beautiful, also. Scalera's hypnotic art makes you feel the meanness and evil, and I'm not sure Millar's story would be as effective without Scalera's brilliance.

The coloring by Giovanna Niro heightens the sense of evil and immorality. Niro's colors truly convey the absolute sinister and depraved nature of Nemesis himself. As always, Clem Robins' elevates this comic book with a raging story of imagined sound and vision.

I didn't expect Nemesis Forever to be so good from the opening gun. This first issue draws first and last blood.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar's comic books of his Nemesis series will desire Nemesis Forever.

A+

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

The trade paperback collection of NEMESIS FOREVER is available at Amazon.

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://x.com/mrmarkmillar

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http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://www.darkhorse.com/

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Wednesday, April 29, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: ELVIRA Meets H.P. Lovecraft #1

ELVIRA MEETS H.P. LOVECRAFT VOLUME 1 #1

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone

ART: Kewber Baal

COLORS: Walter Pereya

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Dave Acosta with Walter Pereyra

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Robert Hack

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2024)

Rated Teen+

Chapter One: “The Collect Call of Cthulhu”

Elvira Meets H.P. Lovecraft Volume 1 #1 (“The Collect Call of Cthulhu”) opens with Elvira about to enjoy some dreamy boot-knocking when she is mystically cock-blocked. Infamous horror and fantasy author, H.P. Lovecraft, has returned from his sweet hereafter, the Abyss. It seems that one of the “Elder Gods,” the Lord of the Abyss has a mission for Howard Phillips Lovecraft.

He must find the last true copy of the ancient tome of dark magic, “the Necronomicon.” Completing this task will free Lovecraft from his miserable eternity. Lovecraft's first problem is that he needs Elvira to join him because she has a reputation in many mystical realms of being the one who turns back all manner of supernatural threats. His second problem is that Elvira is not interested, even if it means the return of Cthulhu.

However, the threat may be bigger and more familiar than she realizes...

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. One of them is Elvira Meets H.P. Lovecraft Volume 1 #1, one of many Dynamite/David Avallone Elvira comic books that I have read and enjoyed.

I really enjoyed writer David Avallone and artist Juan Samu's sexy, ghostly romp, Elvira Meets Vincent Price, a five-issue miniseries published in 2021. Avallone offers another tasty... coupling, this time pairing the Mistress of the Dark with a ghost of American arts and culture who is not nearly as delightful as Vincent Price, the renowned fantasy and horror author, H.P. Lovecraft. Avallone sprinkles the script for this first issue with references to Lovecraft's reputation, including a sly, near slip of the tongue regarding Lovecraft's racism and bigotry. Whereas Elvira Meets Vincent Price reads like a comic book version of a Bob Hope romp, however, Elvira Meets Vincent Price seems to be dark and maybe scarier. At least, that is my take on it this early in the series.

Artist Kewber Baal proved to an excellent match for Avallone's humor in the most recent Elvira comic book miniseries, Elvira in Monsterland. Here, Baal turns Avallone script into a swell comedy, but his graphical storytelling surrounds the repartee with a swirling mass of darkness and horror comic book energy. Walter Pereyra's colors convey this interplay of comedy and scary that keep the story moving.

I'm being conservative with my grade for this first issue of Elvira Meets H.P. Lovecraft, but I am very excited about it. I expect great things, and dear readers, I expect you to read Elvira Meets H.P. Lovecraft #1.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Elvira and of David Avallone's Elvira comic books will want to read Elvira Meets H.P. Lovecraft Volume 1.

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

The "ELVIRA MEETS H.P. LOVECRAFT" trade paperback collection is at Amazon.

https://twitter.com/DAvallone

https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Friday, April 10, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: FLOWER GIRLS

FLOWER GIRLS

GUMROAD

STORY: Francesca Lyn

ART/DESIGN: Sally Cantirino

24pp., Color/2-color; $3.00 U.S. (2018)

Flower Girls is a 16-page digital comic book written by Francesca Lyn and drawn by Sally Cantirino. The story examines the life of a former “magical girl” who is now an adult. The “magical girl” is a sub-genre of manga (Japanese comics) about girls who have magical powers.

Flower Girls introduces Rose, who was the leader of a magical girl group. Rose was extraordinary, and at one point she was so popular that merchandisers sold a million “Rose” dolls. Now, Rose lives in an below-average apartment with her cousin, Jay. After Jay disappears, Rose is forced to confront how her past shaped her present and what her life will be going forward.

THE LOWDOWN: Flower Girls will get a high grade from this review, which it might not get under other circumstances. It is not highly polished like a comic book from a big publisher, but what it lacks in polish, it makes up for in heart, soul, and artistic ambition.

This digital comic book is filled with a sense of love and magic. The love is in the way Francesca Lyn tells this story, exploring and searching for a way to convey Rose's own searching and yearning. There is love in everything that Sally Cantirino does to create the graphics for this comic – from the illustrations and lettering to the toning and the two-color and color shifts. Cantirino makes this feel like a handmade comic book coming into existence before our very eyes.

Flower Girls is also infused with a sense of wonder and with magic. Sometimes, storytelling about magic feels bereft of the very thing it seeks to define or convey. Sometimes, the magic seems mechanical, as through the science of computer-generated effects. This is not the case with Lyn and Cantirino's comic. Flower Girls, a tale of lost magic, is like a book of magic with its sense of mystery and its dream-like and mystical moments and flourishes.

I would like to see more Flower Girls or, at least, more work from Lyn and Cantirino as a creative team. At $3, Flower Girls is a bargain for fans of fantasy comic books.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of magical girl manga will want to read Flower Girls.

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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

Flower Girls can still be purchased as digital comic at Gumroad or at https://gumroad.com/l/lZJGn

http://www.francescalyn.com/

https://x.com/francescalyn

https://srcantirino.carbonmade.com/

https://sallycantirino.com/

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Tuesday, April 7, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #11

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #11 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: Diego Rodriguez

LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith of Comicraft

EDITOR: Chris Butera

COVER: Alex Horley

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Richard Pace; Sean Galloway; Alex Horley

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2024)

Suggested for mature readers

“The Age Unconquered” Part III: “Call From the Depths”

Conan the Cimmerian was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932). In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books via the title, Conan the Barbarian. With only a few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they launched a new Conan the Barbarian series in 2023. The current story arc is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by Diego Rodriguez; and lettered by Richard Starkings and Comicraft. Entitled “The Age Unconquered,” this arc finds Conan's body and/or soul transported 80,000 years into the past

Conan the Barbarian #11 (“Call From the Depths”) opens in the dreams and reveries of Conan, where he converses with Yag-kosha. The wise alien, worshiped by some as a god, has a lot to say about Conan's fate. It is a fate that has found Conan tens of thousands of years in the past – back to the time of Kull of Atlantis (also known as “Kull the Conqueror”) and Brule the Spear-slayer, a time know as the “Thurian Age.”

Now, Conan finds himself swept up in Kull's journey to find the source of the darkness that threatens his kingdom. Kull believes the source of the darkness is in Atlantis, the land of his birth, but upon arrival, Conan and Kull found an abyss into which they now travel. Unexpected terrors await, including one of Kull's most infamous adversaries.

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #11 is one of them.

I am so far behind in my reviews of Titan and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian comic book series that some of you, dear readers, already know what fate awaits Conan, Kull, and Brule. However, I am enjoying my slow roll through the narrative wonders of writer Jim Zub. The confab he fashions between Conan and Yag-kosha is one of the best sequences in a Conan comic book that I have read in years. Patience and conversation can be a good thing even in a violent fight comic book such as Conan the Barbarian.

Artist Roberto de la Torre, with his haunted illustrations, makes this series hum with his storytelling that recalls the vintage wonders of weird fiction. Mixing the aesthetic elements and graphical styles of Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, and John Buscema, de la Torre has made “The Age Unconquered” seem as if it is a story arc that has really been called from the depths of time. Diego Rodriguez's colors enhance the Stygian and infernal wonders of this third chapter of the arc, and I love that Richard Starking's stark lettering completes the classic comic book vibe.

“The Age Unconquered” may end up conquering us, dear readers, as it carries us to a new direction for Conan the Barbarian. I believe that I should be begging you, dear readers, to read this series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books absolutely must read Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “The Real Thulsa Doom: Skull-Faced Sorcerer of the Thurian Age” the eleventh installment of Conan/Howard essays by Jeffrey Shanks. The second text piece is “Know, O... Er... Oh Prince...” by Shanks.]

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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

This story arc is collected in the trade paperback, CONAN THE BARBARIAN: THE AGE UNCONQUERED VOL. 3, which you can obtain at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/

https://x.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Thursday, April 2, 2026

#IReadsYou Anime Review: GHOST IN THE SHELL

Ghost in the Shell (1996) – U.S. English dub release

Running time: 83 minutes (1 hour, 23 minutes)

MPAA – R

DIRECTOR: Mamoru Oshii

WRITER: Kazunori Ito, based upon the graphic novel by Masamune Shirow

PRODUCERS: Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Ken Iyadomi, Ken Matsumoto, and Yoshimasa Mizuo

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Hisao Shirai (D.o.P.)

EDITOR: Shuichi Kakesu

COMPOSER: Kenji Kawai

ANIME/SCI-FI/ACTION

Starring: (English dub voices) Mimi Wood, Richard Epcar, Christopher Joyce, William Frederick, Ben Isaacson, Abe Lasser, and Hank Smith

Kokaku kidotai is a 1995 sci-fi, cyberpunk, and action-thriller anime film from director Mamoru Oshii. It is best known by its English title, Ghost in the Shell. This animated film is based on the manga, Ghost in the Shell, from creator, Masamune Shirow. Ghost in the Shell the film follows a cyborg policewoman and her partner as they hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called “the Puppet Master.”

Some aficionados consider the film, Ghost in the Shell, to be the second greatest anime (Japanese animation) film of all time behind the venerable Akira. However, at the time of its release, Ghost in the Shell so stunned audiences with its futuristic look and dazzling blend of traditional and computer animation that some people considered it to be the future of anime and also the top achievement in the history of anime.

Ghost in the Shell opens in the year 2029. A female cyborg cop, Major Motoko (Mimi Woods), and her partner, Batou (Richard Epcar), hunt a mysterious and powerful computer hacker called “The Puppet Master” (Abe Lasser). In the year 2029, society is information driven, and humans are connected on a mass basis to an omnipresent interactive information network.

Sophisticated criminals are hacking into the network, so the government forms “Section 9,” which is led by powerfully advanced cyborgs like Motoko, who hunt the hackers. But in order to discover the secrets of the Puppet Master, Motoko will have to unravel the secrets of “Project 2501.”

Ghost in the Shell's story can get a little confusing at times. The writer of the manga upon which this movie is based put a lot of thought and research into his project. The “ghost” of the title is a soul or psyche, and the “shell” of the title is the body of the cyborg. I would suggest, dear readers, that you pay close attention and follow the dense social, political, and philosophical ideas of the film. In fact, this Ghost in the Shell anime was one of the smarter, science fiction movies of its time, granted that it does occasionally get ahead of itself and spews too many ideas.

As good as the story and script are, the grand achievement of this film is its animation. Anime filmmakers have been ahead of everyone else in animating the human figure in a dramatic context. No one really approaches the grace and the artistry of movement in the animated humans in Disney film, but Japanese animators have done excellent work in creating animated figures that move with fantastic bursts of energy during action sequences that depict sword duels, gunfights, martial arts and hand to hand combat, and wielding great arcs of eldritch and magical energy.

The quality of Ghost in the Shell’s car chases and gunfights rival those found in big, budget live action films, which makes this film feel bracing and invigorating. The beauty of both the hand rendered animation and computer animation totally captures the power of action and movement. Ghost in the Shell is explosive eye candy; imagine the artistry of Disney matched with the intensity of a James Cameron action flick.

Fans of anime and of science fiction love this film, but it is something special, So it should be enjoyed by people who love film and spectacular cinematic achievement.

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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

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Tuesday, March 31, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: SPACE GHOST Volume 1 #5

SPACE GHOST VOL. 1 #5

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Pepose

ART: Jonathan Lau

COLORS: Andrew Dalhouse

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Francesco Mattina

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Michael Cho; Bjorn Barends; Ken Haeser

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (September 2024)

Rated “Teen”

“The Dawn of the Devourer!”

Space Ghost is a superhero character created by the American animation studio and production company, Hanna-Barbera Productions. The character first appeared in the Saturday morning cartoon series, “Space Ghost,” which was originally broadcast on CBS from September 1966 to September 1967 for 20 episodes.

In his original incarnation, Space Ghost was a superhero whose base of operations was a small world known as “Ghost Planet.” He fought super-villains in outer space with his teen sidekicks, Jan and Jace, and their monkey, Blip. His main weapons were power bands he wore around his wrists and lower arms; the bands fired off multiple energy beam-based attacks, including heat, cold, and force, to name a few. Space Ghost could also fly, survive in space, and turn invisible (his “Inviso Power”). He also had a space ship known as “the Phantom Cruiser.”

Space Ghost sporadically appeared in various comic book publications over a fifty year period. Dynamite Entertainment has just launched a new Space Ghost comic book as part of its licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Entitled Space Ghost Volume 1, it is written by David Pepose; drawn by Jonathan Lau; colored by Andrew Dalhouse; and lettered by Taylor Esposito. In the new series, twins Jan and Jace Keplar and their pet monkey, Blip, meet that legendary cosmic vigilante known as “the Space Ghost.”

Space Ghost Volume 1 #5 (“The Dawn of the Devourer!”) opens at Grax-3 where Space Ghost is on a rampage to find his nemesis, Zorak, who kidnapped Jan and Jace. Zorak, however, is quite happy to see Space Ghost, as he has a very special need of him.

For today marks the new day, the Dawn of the Devourer – All hail the Locust of the Apocalypse!" And Space Ghost is going to help him arrive, or he will see Jan and Jace destroyed. Meanwhile, where is Blip, and how will young Jace come out of this trauma?

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. Space Ghost Volume 1 #5 is the latest, but it is not the first Space Ghost comic book that I have read.

The first five issues of Dynamite's Space Ghost revival comic book are a pure delight. Writer David Pepose is making me rapidly run out of good things to say about his storytelling. I think I'm repeating myself already. While Pepose retains the traditional Space Ghost narrative aesthetic, he raises all kinds of unholy hell for the climax of this battle with Zorak. For me, this hints at continued great things to come from this excellent writer.

Artist Jonathan Lau also wants to actually raise Hell with his graphical storytelling. Lau captures the madness in Pepose's script for issue #5 and lets loose his guns to recall the best chaos of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Andrew Dalhouse in turn unleashes fire and brimstone to amplify Lua's storytelling into an red, orange, and yellow inferno. Letterer Taylor Esposito adds the fuel to make it all burn, baby, burn.

I'm having a blast reading Space Ghost Volume 1, dear readers. I want this for you, too. This Space Ghost is super, man.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series will want to read Space Ghost Volume 1.

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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

This issue is collected in the "SPACE GHOST: BEWARE THE COUNCIL OF DOOM," which is available in paperback at Amazon.

https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics

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Wednesday, March 4, 2026

#IReadsYou Manga Review: SANDA VOLUME 1

SANDA VOL. 1

TITAN COMICS/Titan Manga

WRITER-ARTIST: Paru Itagaki

TRANSLATION: Motoko Tamamuro and Jonathan Clements

LETTERS: Bensidi Ayoub

DESIGN: David Colderley

EDITOR: Louis Yamani

ISBN: 978-1787747241; paperback (September 9, 2025)

208pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN, £9.99 UK

Rating: Age 12+

Sanda is a Japanese manga written and drawn by mangaka Paru Itagaki. The manga was originally serialized in the Japanese shonen manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Champion, from 2021 to 2024. It was later collected in sixteen tankobon (graphic novel) volumes. Titan Manga began publishing an English-language graphic novel edition of the series in September 2025.

Sanda Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 6) opens in a near-future Japan where Christmas has faded into myth, and it and other traditional holidays are mere legends of the past. Japan's birth rate has dropped so dramatically that children are now the most precious commodity. Society has artificially extended adolescence to preserve their youth, and young people's social status is higher than that of adults.

Volume 1 introduces 14-year-old Sanda Kazushige, a middle-school student at Daikoku Welfare Academy who unexpectedly becomes entangled in a strange and dangerous mystery. His classmate, Fuyumura Shiori, is looking for her missing friend, Ono Ichie. Fuyumura accuses Sanda of carrying a curse that can help her find Ono. The curse is that Sanda is a descendant of Santa Claus and also that Santa is sealed inside Sanda.

When Fuyumura breaks the seal, Sanda turns into a tall, muscular, elderly man and thus, begins an adventure of mystery and danger. Can Sanda and his friends help society remember the true meaning of friendship, trust, and the possibility of magic in a world that has all but forgotten it.

THE LOWDOWN: Since October 2023, Titan Manga has provided me with print and PDF copies of their manga publications for review. One of the latest is Sanda Volume 1.

Sanda Graphic Novel Volume 1 is not my first experience with the manga of Paru Itagaki, as I read and reviewed several volumes her 2016-20 series, Beastars (published in an English-language edition by VIZ Media). I would say that this first volume of Sanda is as refreshingly surprising and surprisingly refreshing as Beastars Volume 1.

Itagaki's art and graphical style are a lot more formal in Sanda than they are for the loose, psychological, and surreal Beastars. Sanda eschews surrealism for mystery and secrets, and the art and graphical storytelling delves into enigmas and perplexities. Nothing is as it seems, and it offers a shocking reveal every chapter.

Sanda's setting may be that of a dystopian near-future, but it feels like the teen leads, Sanda and Fuyumura, are coming-of-age as they try to unravel the secrets and lies of their lives and how it ties into the society in which they live. That this involves Santa Claus just makes things more delightfully weird and different.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of mystery manga and of unusual takes on Christmas will want to try Sanda.

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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

"SANDA VOLUME 1" is available in a Kindle and a print edition at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/

https://x.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Tuesday, February 24, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: HUCK: BIG BAD WORLD #1

HUCK: BIG BAD WORLD #1

DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Rafael Albuquerque

COLORS: Dave McCaig

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

COVER: Rafael Albuquerque

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Rafael Albuquerque; Jae Lee with June Chung

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (May 2025)

Rated 18+

Huck created by Mark Millar and Rafael Albuquerque

Huck: Big Bad World is a new six-issue comic book miniseries created by writer Mark Millar and artist Rafael Albuquerque. Published by Dark Horse Comics, it is a sequel to the 2015-16 miniseries, Huck. Both series focus on Huck, an autistic man with extraordinary powers who tries to do one good deed every day. Colorist Dave McCaig and letterer Clem Robins complete the creative team.

Huck: Big Bad World #1 opens in Ukraine, 1976. What does this vision have to do with the past of Huck's mother, Anna Polina Marianna Kozar? Now, a mysterious man, Dr. Jack Harper, has arrived to tell Anna that she and her son are not the only super-people out there and that there are others in hiding that are just like them.

Meanwhile, Huck is on a rescue mission. When he returns home, however, he will need to rescue his relationship with Zoe Fox.

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics. The latest received is Huck: Big Bad World #1.

I recently finished reading Huck Volume 1, the trade collection of the first miniseries. While writer Mark Millar picks up where he left off, Huck: Big Bad World veers into darker narrative territory. What Millar gave us in the first miniseries was just a sampler of the dark and complicated history and back story of Anna Kozar. This first issue intrigues by referencing the tone of the first, but mainly by taking us into a sinister realm.

The storytelling by artist Rafael Albuquerque conveys the darker turn of the story. It is almost as if Albuquerque is giving Huck the mood of one of those gloomy fairy tales from the world of Mike Mignola's comic book hero, Hellboy. Dave McCaig's outstanding coloring for the first issue sets the striking tone that there is more on the line here than in the previous series. As always the lettering by Clem Robins is a mood embellisher.

Wow, I really liked Huck Volume 1, and this first issue of Huck: Big Bad Day does not disappoint. I have really bought into it, and I'd really like to hurt Jimbo Burke. Yeah, this first issue got me into my feelies and made me pay attention.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and of the first Huck series will want to try Huck: Big Bad World.

A+

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

The HUCK VOLUME 2: BIG BAD WORLD trade paperback will arrive Feb. 2026 and is currently available for preorder via Amazon.

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://x.com/mrmarkmillar

https://x.com/netflix

http://www.millarworld.tv/

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Tuesday, February 17, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND #1

ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND VOLUME 1 #1

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone

ART: Kewber Baal

COLORS: Walter Pereya

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Dave Acosta with Walter Pereya

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2023)

Rated Teen+

Chapter One: “It's a Vlad, Vlad, Vlad, Vlad World”

Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #1 (“It's a Vlad, Vlad, Vlad, Vlad World”) opens at Elvira's home on the outskirts of Hollywood. Inside, Elvira is enjoying a respite from her recent misadventures in the “Multiverse of Movies,” though it turns out to be a brief break. While watching director Tod Browning's 1931 horror classic, Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi, a strange thing happens.

Vlad the Impaler is back! He is raiding the Multiverse of Movies in order to build a monster army by plucking up some of cinema and television's greatest, most famous, and most infamous vampires and bloodsuckers. Of course, it's up to Elvira, the Mistress of the Dark and bane of Vlad's existence, to stop his evil plan.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. One of them is Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #1, one of many Dynamite/David Avallone Elvira comic books that I have read and enjoyed.

I have lost track of how many times I written in a review how much I enjoy writer David Avallone's Elvira comic books. Hopefully, Avallone will continue to chronicle Elvira adventures long enough into the future that I will also forget this instance of praise. Elvira in Monsterland #1 is a delightful, tongue-in-cheek romp, filled with sparkling cameos and pleasing references to both cinematic and real-world people, places, and things. This first issue is such a joy to read, and I needed that. Avallone's Elvira comic books are not only some of the best humor comic books published over the last decade, but they are also the consistent cure for the anytime and comic book reading blues.

Artist Kewber Baal's art perfectly captures the spirited chase through this “Multiverse of Movies,” and in his figure drawing, Baal makes it look like the characters are having a blast. Colorist Walter Pereyra and letterer Taylor Esposito make the story hop around like a maniacal musical comedy, which is just the kind of crazy entertainment we probably all need right now.

I had high hopes for Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #1. I had been waiting for Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #1. It was worth it, and I think you should not deny yourself this fun, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Elvira and of David Avallone's Elvira comic books will want to read Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1.

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

The "ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND" hardcover and trade paperback collections will be available soon, depending upon where you shop. All additions are available at Amazon.

https://twitter.com/DAvallone

https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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I Reads You

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