Review: CONSTANTINE: The Hellblazer #13

CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER No. 13
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Ming Doyle and James Tynion IV
ARTIST: Eryk Donovan
COLORS: Kelly Fitzpatrick
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Riley Rossmo
40pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2016)

Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

John Constantine created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben and Jamie Delano & John Ridgway

“Worthless”

The original John Constantine comic book series, Hellblazer, ran for 300 issues.  Then, DC Comics folded Constantine into the mainstream DC Universe with The New 52, and started a new series, simply entitled Constantine.  Our favorite comic book occult detective, magus, con man and troubleshooter was not the same.

Last summer, DC Comics launched the publishing initiative/event known as “DCYou.”  One of the new series that came out of that was the third John Constantine comic book, Constantine: The Hellblazer, which was written by Ming Doyle and James Tynion IV, drawn by Riley Rossmo, colored by Ivan Plascensia, and lettered by Tom Napolitano.

Constantine: The Hellblazer was a good thing, as it found John getting back to his old self, albeit in a new city, New York City.  Now, with DC in the midst of a new initiative, entitled “Rebirth,” we will see John Constantine in his fourth comic book series, The Hellblazer.  I am kind of disappointed (and I was not impressed with The Hellblazer: Rebirth one-shot).  Constantine: The Hellblazer is still good, and stayed good even after series artist, Riley Rossmo, moved on, although he continued providing lovely cover art for this series

We say goodbye with Constantine: The Hellblazer #13 (“Worthless”).  The Donald Trump-esque demon, Lord Neron, and his partners, Papa Midnight and Blythe (a demoness), have Constantine in a bad position.  He cannot break his contract with them, or can he?  You can't keep a good/bad magus down.  This time, however, John will win one of his most hollow victories.

Ah!  What a delightful run.  I think that Constantine: The Hellblazer is an imaginative dark fantasy comic book, one of DC Comics' best recent efforts in this vein.  This series is a fresh take on a character, John Constantine, that occasionally needs an injection of lemony fresh.  The ending of this issue is chilling and heartbreaking.

Through no fault of its own, Constantine: The Hellblazer is connected to sour reboot, Constantine, The New 52 effort to bring Constantine back into the DC Universe proper.  I would not be surprised if Constantine: The Hellblazer ends up being the last sustained run of quality John Constantine comic books for a few years.  I hope I'm wrong, but I think I'm right...

A-

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


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

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Review: DARK KNIGHT III: The Master Race #8

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 8
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello
PENCILS: Andy Kubert
INKS:  Klaus Janson
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Andy Kubert with Brad Anderson
VARIANT COVERS: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair; Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair; Klaus Janson with Brad Anderson; Bill Sienkiewicz; Riley Rossmo
32pp (plus 16-page insert), Color, $5.99 U.S. (May 2017)

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

Dark Knight III: The Master Race (also known as DKIII) is a nine-issue Batman comic book event miniseries.  It is the second sequel to Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (also known simply as The Dark Knight Returns or DKR), the 1986 four-issue comic book miniseries written by Frank Miller and drawn by Miller (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks).  DKR focuses on a 50-year-old Bruce Wayne who comes out of retirement to resume fighting crime as Batman.

DKIII is written by Brian Azzarello and Frank Miller; drawn by Andy Kubert (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks); colored by Brad Anderson; and lettered by Clem Robins.  DKIII finds Batman united with Superman to stop a murderous group of people from Superman's home planet, Krypton, from taking over the Earth.

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #8 opens with the new Batgirl (Carrie Kelley) witnessing the seeming death of Batman.  However, Superman placed Batman's body in a Lazarus Pit, and now Bruce Wayne is not only alive, but young again.  Meanwhile, the “master race” of Kryptonians from the Bottled City of Kandor invade the home of Wonder Woman's and the Amazons (an island now called “Amazonia”).  The Kryptonians are sure that they will win their fight with the Amazons, but Wonder Woman and her people have something that can match the Superman-like powers of a master race.

After much criticism and complaining about DKIII (with only scattered praise), I have to admit that I think that DKIII #8 is not only the best issue of the series, but it is also a truly good comic book.  DKIII has been wildly inconsistent, but DKIII #7 and #8 move the narrative forward more powerfully than a locomotive.

I don't think... No, I know that I have not had this much fun reading the other issues of DKIII as I had reading #8, although #7, as I've said, is quite good.  Wonder Woman in full battle mode is a beautiful thing, and of course, this story barrels forward because #8 is the penultimate issue (although it was originally intended to be the last issue).  Of note, a younger Bruce Wayne adds fuel to the rumors that many more series set in the DKR universe are to come.

Dark Knight Universe Presents: Detective Comics #1 (Insert comic book)
STORY: Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello
PENCILS: Frank Miller
INKS: Klaus Janson
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair

I have not really enjoyed these mini-comics inserted into the center of each issue of DKIII, but I did like DKIII #7's“Strange Adventures,” which focuses on Green Lantern and two denizens of Thanagar.  This issue's “Detective Comics” insert is the best of the lot, thus far, and is Frank Miller's best work as an artist for these inserts.  This insert also features some familiar characters and story elements that first appeared in DKR, and that makes me happy.  Plus, this is “To be continued...”

A

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: CONSTANTINE: The Hellblazer #1

CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally published on Patreon. ]

WRITERS: Ming Doyle and James Tynion IV
ARTIST: Riley Rossmo
COLORS: Ivan Plascensia
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Riley Rossmo
VARIANT COVERS: Ming Doyle
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

“Going Down”

The original John Constantine comic book series, Hellblazer, ran for 300 issues.  Then, DC Comics folded Constantine into the mainstream DC Universe with The New 52, and started a new series, simply entitled Constantine.  Our favorite comic book occult detective, magus, and troubleshooter was not the same.

DC's latest publishing initiative/event is “DCYou,” which is being launched with 25 new #1 issues.  One of them is Constantine: The Hellblazer, which is written by Ming Doyle and James Tynion IV, drawn by Riley Rossmo, colored by Ivan Plascensia, and lettered by Tom Napolitano.  I must say that, at least with this first issue, John seems to be getting back to his old self.

Constantine: The Hellblazer #1 (“Going Down”) opens with John trying to clean up after his latest bloody mess.  Another thing that is the same-old-same-old is the ghost of Gary Lester, one of John's many friends who have paid the ultimate cost for being a friend of Constantine's.

It's reunion central when yet another... acquaintance reappears; she is Blythe, an ex-patriot from Hell who has also been an occasional shag-buddy of John's.  Blythe has an ownership interest in “Inferno,” a club slash lounge slash art-house theater of some sort.  She says that the place has an imp infestation that only John can solve, and, no, it won't be that easy.

I like Constantine: The Hellblazer #1 and have better feelings about it than I did about Constantine #1.  Of course, neither one thrilled me as much as Hellblazer #1 did almost three decades ago.  Still, there is something about this new series – something upon which I cannot put my finger – that makes it... alluring.  For one thing, Riley Rossmo's scratchy compositions strikes an odd tone, making Constantine: The Hellblazer #1 at least visually different from all other DC Comics.

Ming Doyle and James Tynion IV strike the right tone by recalling John's troubled past while offering to take John and their readers to new and imaginative places.  I gave up on Constantine after about four issues.  I plan on giving Constantine: The Hellblazer at least one entire story arc.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

DC Comics Announces New Books and New Focus for June 2015

DC Entertainment Announces New Books, New Creators, Broader Focus for the DC Universe

Iconic Super Heroes & Super-Villains Universe is Diversifying To Make Room for More Types of Storytelling, More Fans

June Slate of Titles Includes Long-Awaited Return to DCU of Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis; Gene Luen Yang & Ming Doyle Join Team of Top Talent

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This summer, DC Entertainment launches a bold new direction for the DC Universe (DCU) that is even more inclusive and accessible to a wider group of readers as the publisher continues to evolve comic storytelling for its next generation of fans. Award-winning, critically acclaimed writers are headlining the June 2015 slate of DC Comics’ new periodicals and graphic novels, including Gene Luen Yang, Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis, and Ming Doyle.

    “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

Beginning June 3rd, the DC Comics line of comic books will consist of 24 brand-new series that will begin at issue number one, as well as 25 on-going, bestselling fan favorite series that will continue without a break in the issue numbering. The total number of periodicals in the DCU will be 49, with additional new titles debuting throughout the year.

“This heralds in a new era for the DC Universe which will allow us to publish something for everyone, be more expansive and modern in our approach and tell stories that better reflect the society around us,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

DC Comics will be keenly focused on going back-to-basics with its legendary characters, like BATMAN, SUPERMAN and WONDER WOMAN, while also reinventing key characters, such as BLACK CANARY, BIZARRO, CYBORG and STARFIRE, with a new contemporary tonality to ensure a diverse offering of titles. Top writers and artists, as well as emerging fresh voices, are on board to help create an expansive lineup of comics that appeals to a broad audience of fans.

Depicting some of these iconic characters in a more contemporary light include National Book Award finalist Gene Luen Yang who will join artist John Romita Jr. in the ongoing adventures of SUPERMAN. Comic superstar artist Bryan Hitch will write and draw new tales of the world’s greatest heroes in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA. The pitch perfect team of Garth Ennis and John McCrea returns to DC Comics for a limited series called SECTION EIGHT featuring characters from their popular Hitman comic. VERTIGO creator Ming Doyle will be lending her talents to DC Comics, penning CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER along with newcomer artist Riley Rossmo.

“More than ever before, DC Comics fans are being exposed to our rich portfolio of characters through multiple sources, including an unprecedented number of highly successful TV shows, video games and upcoming major motion pictures,” said Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “We are looking to extend that experience within publishing to ensure there is a comic book for everyone. For example, fans of the ARROW television show may want more stories about BLACK CANARY. Now they can find modern, fresh takes on the character in the pages of her standalone series both in stores and digitally.”

Breakout star, Brenden Fletcher, co-writer behind the all new, highly successful BATGIRL book will also be writing the new BLACK CANARY series launching in June. Fan favorites Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will be the creative team on new titles STARFIRE and HARLEY QUINN/POWER GIRL and will continue to helm the perennially bestselling HARLEY QUINN.

“Beyond character and creators, the June slate will showcase different styles and approaches to storytelling as we add offbeat, irreverently funny titles such as BIZARRO, BAT-MITE and PREZ,” said Lee. “Truly there will be something for everybody as we simultaneously celebrate our rich legacy while embracing new voices and concepts.”

A first look at upcoming storylines will be the focus of DC Entertainment’s Free Comic Book Day issue – DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE – available Saturday, May 2, featuring three 8-page previews for the June releases of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s BATMAN, as well as Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok’s launch of the Darkseid War within JUSTICE LEAGUE featuring the biggest villains in the DCU – Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor, and Gene Luen Yang's DC Comics debut with celebrated artist John Romita, Jr on SUPERMAN. More than half-a million free issues of the DC Entertainment sampler will be given away at comic book retailers globally.

“In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to empower creators to tell the best stories in the industry,” said DiDio.

To learn more about the June DC Universe slate, visit www.dccomics.com.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the world’s largest English-language publisher of comics.

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Review: WAYWARD #2

WAYWARD #2
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

STORY: Jim Zub – @jimzub
ART: Steve Cummings @stekichikun
COLORS: John Rauch @John_Rauch and Jim Zub
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon @MarshallDillon
COVER: Steve Cummings and Ross A. Campbell
VARIANT COVER:  Riley Rossmo
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

Additional material by Zack Davisson (@ZackDavisson)

The second issue of Wayward, the intriguing new fantasy comic book series from Image Comics, was just published.  Written by Jim Zub (Skullkickers) and drawn by Steve Cummings, Wayward focuses on Rori Lane, a half-Irish/half-Japanese teen girl who is trying to start a new life in Japan, only to find herself confronted by the ancient creatures that lurk in the shadows of Tokyo.

As Wayward #2 (“Chapter Two”) opens, Rori arrives home late, after a night of craziness in Tokyo, in which she encountered monsters with swords and a warrior-girl.  Now, she has to get ready for her first day at school, which she knows will be difficult.  How difficult will that first day be?  One of her classmates has a secret for which he is willing to kill.

After praising Wayward #1 around the beginning of August, I was a bit concerned that I would be disappointed in Wayward #2.  Writer Jim Zub sent a PDF copy of #2 to the ComicBookBin, and I approached it with trepidation.  I didn't need to worry because #2 kept #1 from being a fluke.  So far, Wayward does indeed look to be one of the year's best new comic book series and one of the best fantasy comic books period.

Advertising copy and promotional material describe Wayward as Buffy the Vampire Slayer for a new generation.  That may be true, but it is certainly a damn good comic book for any generation that can read.  It has the kind of intrigue and sense of mystery that permeate Mike Mignola's Hellboy universe, and it crackles with the kind of magic that fills Harry Potter.  I imagine that quite a few comic book readers will be eagerly awaiting each new issue.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: Clive Barker's NIGHTBREED #1

CLIVE BARKER’S NIGHTBREED #1
BOOM! Studios

STORY: Clive Barker
WRITER: Marc Andreyko
ARTIST: Piotr Kowalski
COLORS: Juan Manuel Tumburus
LETTERS: Ed Dukeshire
COVER: Riley Rossmo
VARIANT COVER: Christopher Mitten (B); Mike Mignola (C); Matthew Roberts (Cards, Comics & Collectibles Exclusive Cover); Tony Harris (Phoenix Comicon Exclusive Cover)
24pp, Colors, $3.99 U.S. (May 2014)

Suggested for mature readers

Famed horror author, Clive Barker, adapted his 1988 fantasy-horror novel, Cabal, into a film entitled Nightbreed.  In both the film and the novel (sometimes listed as a novella), the focus is Aaron Boone, a young man who is an unstable mental patient.  Boone believes that he is a serial killer, because his doctor tells him that he is.  Events lead Boone to an abandoned cemetery connected to a deserted town named Midian.

There, he encounters a community of monsters and outcasts (also called the “Tribes of the Moon”), known as the “Nightbreed” (called “Night Breed” in the book) that hides from humanity.  Boone becomes one of them and protects them from an assault by outside forces, including his doctor and local police.  Boone soon becomes the Nightbreed’s savior, as he leads them on a quest to find a new home.

Released in 1990, Nightbreed was not well received, at the box office or with critics.  However, I loved the movie.  I loved its characters, concepts, setting, and Danny Elfman’s dark and beautiful score.  To be honest, I thought that there were things about the film that needed improvement, but I still loved me some Nightbreed.

In the early 1990s, Marvel Comics published Nightbreed, a comic book follow-up to the film, which ran for 25 issues, and there was also a two-issue crossover with the Hellraiser franchise (also a creation of Clive Barker), entitled Hellraiser vs. Nightbreed: Jihad.  Boom! Studios returns Barker’s “Tribes of the Moon” to comic books in a new series, Clive Barker’s Nightbreed, written by Marc Andreyko, drawn by Piotr Kowalski, colored by Juan Manuel Tumburus, and lettered by Ed Dukeshire.

Clive Barker’s Nightbreed #1 opens in the present, where we meet Dirk Lylesburg, leader of the Nightbreed, who acts as a sort of narrator.  Then, the story moves into the past.  The first tale takes place in July 1857, in a swamp outside Lacombe, Louisiana.  Two runaway slaves, a man and woman who are apparently a couple, desperately try to avoid a slave patrol.  However, an encounter with Peloquin will change their lives, especially for one of the slaves.  Next, the story moves to Boston, Massachusetts in April 1945.  Senator Harold Emery separates from his friends so that he can visit a local cathouse, where he will meet Shuna Sassi.

Normally, I would admit that there is not enough in this first issue to render judgment on the series or even to give this first issue a grade.  But as an African-American of possible Nightbreed extraction, I am so very happy that both my peoples are represented in this fine comic book, so I will give it a good grade.

Seriously, the storytelling by artist Piotr Kowalski is moody and alluring, drawn in a sharp line and with matter-of-fact compositions.  Juan Manuel Tumburus’ rich colors are vivid during the violent scenes and shimmers to give the Boston house of ill repute a magical quality that it needs within the context of this story.

Writer Marc Andreyko gets it, and what is “it?”  It is the thing that is Nightbreed, and if we can’t have Clive Barker, Andreyko is the surrogate who will return us to the world of Midian and her children, the Tribes of the Moon that are the Nightbreed.

A

www.boom-studios.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: SAMURAI JACK #2

SAMURAI JACK #2
IDW PUBLISHING with Cartoon Network – @IDWPublishing and @cartoonnetwork

WRITER: Jim Zub – @jimzub
ARTIST: Andy Suriano – @wolfboy74
COLORS: Josh Burcham
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
COVER: Andy Suriano
SUBSCRIPTION COVER: Genndy Tartakovsky
COVER RI: Riley Rossmo
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2013)

Samurai Jack created by Genndy Tartakovsky

“Samurai Jack and the Threads of Time” Part 2

There is a legendary samurai, known as “Jack,” who is transported to a dystopian, futuristic Earth.  It is ruled by an old enemy of Jack’s, a tyrannical, shape-shifting, demonic wizard named Aku.  Jack wanders this future, trying to find a method by which he can travel back in time to the era in which he belongs, Feudal Japan, and keep Aku from creating this troubled future.  This is the premise of the 2001-2004, Cartoon Network animated series, Samurai Jack.

Samurai Jack returns in a new five-issue comic book miniseries from IDW Publishing.  Written by Jim Zub and drawn by Andy Suriano, Samurai Jack is not merely an adaptation of the cartoon.  Because it captures the spirit and look of the original, this comic book IS Samurai Jack.  This series focuses on Jack’s quest to gather the Threads of Time, which he can wind into the Rope of Eons and therefore, rewind himself home.  He already has one thread.

As Samurai Jack #2 opens, Jack arrives in a small village where he believes he can find another of the Threads of Time.  What he finds is a place full of frightened villagers.  He discovers that the problem is the village’s so-called protectors, identical twin master martial artists who call themselves “Dis and Dat.”

As he did in the first issue, writer Jim Zub maintains the sparkling wit and sly humor that marked the Emmy-winning Samurai Jack television series.  Obviously, I’ve read a lot of comic books, and I can say that this is one that captures the feelings I got watching a favorite Saturday morning cartoon.  Zub is writing a story that is as true to its source material as the best comic book media tie-ins.

Artist Andy Suriano, a character designer on the original Samurai Jack cartoon, gives this comic book art and graphics that pop off the page.  With Josh Burcham’s colors, the art shimmers and glows, which makes reading the story feel like I’m watching a cartoon.

It’s obvious, isn’t it?  I love this comic book.  It’s one of the best new series of the year.  I hope it turns into a regular series.

A

www.jimzub.com
www.IDWPUBLISHING.com
youtube.com/idwpublishing
facebook.com/idwpublishing

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Cowboy Ninja Viking Trade Coming Later This Month

COWBOYS, NINJAS AND VIKINGS, OH MY!

Cowboy Ninja Viking gets collected in April

COWBOY NINJA VIKING, written by AJ Lieberman and drawn by Riley Rossmo gets it first collection in April with 160 full-color pages of story and never-before-seen material!

The COWBOY NINJA VIKING trade paperback collects issues 1-5 and features 30 pages of brand new material, including the original pitch for the book, a script for an alternate version of the series, unused cover art, and pinups by Nathan Fox (Fluorescent Black), Dean Trippe (Comic Book Tattoo), and Christian Ward (Olympus).

Lieberman promises, "If ever there was time a reader who has been debating whether or not to jump on the bandwagon of insanity and mayhem that is Cowboy Ninja Viking, the time to leap has come with the release of our first TPB collecting issues #1-5 (plus 30 pages of extras) all for $16.99! Still not sure? We'll toss in a free index!"

COWBOY NINJA VIKING is the creation of Doctor Sebastian Ghislain, a psychotherapist who recruits Multiple Personality Disorder patients to produce a unit of counter-intelligence agents called Triplets. But what happens when Triplets become out-of-control assassins? That's when the deadliest Triplet of them all, COWBOY NINJA VIKING, is called in to take down his own brethren.

COWBOY NIJA VIKING TP (FEB100353), a full-color 160-page trade collecting issues 1-5 and featuring all new material, will be in stores April 21, 2010. Issue #1 can be viewed in the online comics section of www.imagecomics.com.

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.