Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for February 12, 2025

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

DEC241411 27 RUN CRASH #1 (OF 3) CVR A CORONA & BEEM $4.99

NOV247408 A LOVESTRUCK CAT WANTS TO BE PETTED GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

DEC241463 A SLICE OF SPY (ONE SHOT) (C: 0-1-2) $5.00

NOV241575 AMERICAN NATURE PRESENTS #2 (MR) (C: 0-1-0) $6.00

DEC241120 ARCHAIC #3 (OF 5) CVR A CANTIRINO (MR) $3.99

DEC240972 ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #358 $9.99

NOV241007 ASSASSINS APPRENTICE III #3 $3.99

SEP240451 ATOM BEGINNING GN VOL 10 (OF 14) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

OCT241151 BEYOND THE PALE TP (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

NOV247409 BOYS GILDING THE LILY SHALL DIE GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

DEC241838 BRING ME THE HEAD OF SUSAN LOMOND GN (C: 0-1-2) $11.99

DEC241398 CAMGIRL (ONE SHOT) CVR A SAMPSON (MR) $6.99

DEC241399 CAMGIRL (ONE SHOT) CVR B LOTAY (MR) $6.99

DEC241723 CASEYS CASES HC VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $16.99

NOV242081 CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC RAILGUN GN VOL 19 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

OCT247711 CHERRY MAGIC GN VOL 13 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

OCT248387 CHOKING ON LOVE GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

NOV241014 CHRISTMAS 365 #3 $3.99

NOV242082 CROSSPLAY LOVE OTAKU X PUNK GN VOL 11 (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

NOV241015 CYBERPUNK 2077 PSYCHO SQUAD #1 CVR A MCKEOWN $3.99

NOV241016 CYBERPUNK 2077 PSYCHO SQUAD #1 CVR B VALDERRAMA $3.99

NOV241017 CYBERPUNK 2077 PSYCHO SQUAD #1 CVR C ECKMAN LAWN $3.99

NOV241018 CYBERPUNK 2077 PSYCHO SQUAD #1 CVR D HENRICHON $3.99

OCT241155 DEN HC VOL 05 PRICE OF MEMORIES (RES) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $39.99

DEC241580 DETECTIVE STANLEY & MYSTERY AT MUSEUM SC (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

JUN247758 DEVILS CUT HC BOOK MARKET ED $30.00

NOV242090 EVEN THOUGH WERE ADULTS GN VOL 10 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

DEC242073 FABLE OMNIBUS GN VOL 06 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

DEC242074 FALL IN LOVE YOU FALSE ANGELS GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

DEC241566 FANTAGRAPHICS UNDERGROUND SECRETS OF A LOST DIARY TP (C: 0-1 $25.00

DEC240951 GFT TALES OF TERROR VOL 5 #2 CVR A ERIC J (MR) $4.99

DEC240952 GFT TALES OF TERROR VOL 5 #2 CVR B IGOR VITORINO (MR) $4.99

DEC240953 GFT TALES OF TERROR VOL 5 #2 CVR C ABBONDANZA (MR) $4.99

NOV241097 GODZILLA VS MMPR II TP $17.99

DEC242077 GRAND BLUE DREAMING GN VOL 21 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

NOV242091 GRAVITATION COLLECTORS ED GN VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

NOV240344 HEAT SEEKER COMBUSTION GUN HONEY SERIES #3 CVR A LIM (MR) $3.99

NOV240345 HEAT SEEKER COMBUSTION GUN HONEY SERIES #3 CVR B FERGUSON (M $3.99

NOV240346 HEAT SEEKER COMBUSTION GUN HONEY SERIES #3 CVR C CONTINUADO $3.99

NOV240347 HEAT SEEKER COMBUSTION GUN HONEY SERIES #3 CVR D PHOTO (MR) $3.99

NOV240348 HEAT SEEKER COMBUSTION GUN HONEY SERIES #3 CVR E BRAO NUDE B $10.00

NOV240350 HEAT SEEKER COMBUSTION GUN HONEY SERIES #3 CVR G FERGUSON NU $10.00

NOV240351 HEAT SEEKER COMBUSTION GUN HONEY SERIES #3 CVR H BRAO UNIQUE $10.00

DEC241811 HILO GN VOL 11 GREAT SPACE IGUANA (C: 0-1-0) $14.99

NOV242034 HUNGRY SUCCUBUS WANTS TO CONSUME HIM GN VOL 02 (MR) (C: 0-1- $15.99

NOV247299 I DONT NEED A SCRIPT FOR LOVE GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

NOV242099 I WANT TO ESCAPE PRINCESS LESSONS GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

NOV241026 INTO UNBEING PART TWO #1 CVR A SHERMAN $3.99

NOV241027 INTO UNBEING PART TWO #1 CVR B SAMPSON $3.99

NOV241030 JUPITERS LEGACY FINALE #4 CVR A CARTER (MR) $4.99

NOV241031 JUPITERS LEGACY FINALE #4 CVR B B&W CARTER (MR) $4.99

SEP248338 KING THE LAND GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $21.99

NOV242098 LADY & HER BUTLER GN VOL 03 $21.99

NOV240325 LENORE THE TIME WAR #1 CVR A DIRGE (MR) $4.99

NOV240326 LENORE THE TIME WAR #1 CVR B DIRGE (MR) $4.99

NOV240327 LENORE THE TIME WAR #1 CVR C WALLIS (MR) $4.99

NOV240328 LENORE THE TIME WAR #1 CVR D COLOR BLANK SKETCH (MR) $5.99

OCT248397 LENORE THE TIME WAR #1 FOC GLOW IN THE DARK (MR) $14.99

OCT247718 MAFIA NANNY GN VOL 01 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

OCT247952 MARGRAVES DAUGHTER & ENEMY PRINCE GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

DEC242206 MEDAKA KUROIWA IS IMPERVIOUS TO MY CHARMS GN VOL 10 (C: 0-1- $12.95

SEP241200 MIDST RIPPLES ONESHOT #1 $7.99

DEC241724 MINE IS A LONG LONESOME GRAVE #1 CVR A SHEHAN $4.99

DEC241725 MINE IS A LONG LONESOME GRAVE #1 CVR B ROBERTS $4.99

DEC241726 MINE IS A LONG LONESOME GRAVE #1 CVR C RAMSAY $4.99

NOV240353 MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL CALLED CTHULHU #4 (OF 4) CVR A VECCHIO ( $3.99

NOV240354 MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL CALLED CTHULHU #4 (OF 4) CVR B PHOTO (MR $3.99

NOV240355 MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL CALLED CTHULHU #4 (OF 4) CVR C VON BUHLE $3.99

NOV240356 MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL CALLED CTHULHU #4 (OF 4) CVR D NUDE BAGG $10.00

DEC241065 MONSTER HIGH NEW SCAREMESTER #6 CVR A COLA $5.99

DEC241066 MONSTER HIGH NEW SCAREMESTER #6 CVR B KEENAN $5.99

DEC241917 MONTI & LEO MYSTERY IN POCKETVILLE HC (C: 0-1-2) $16.99

NOV247302 MY CONTRACT WITH APOTHECARY MONSTER GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

OCT247714 MY ISEKAI LIFE GN VOL 17 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

OCT247715 OTAKU LOVE CONNECTION GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

DEC242083 PASS MONSTER MEAT MILADY GN VOL 07 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $12.99

NOV241550 RED FLOWER GN VOL 01 THE YOUNG ROOSTER AND THE SUN (C: 0-1-2 $14.99

AUG241579 SEVEN YEARS IN DARKNESS YEAR TWO #4 (OF 4) CVR A SCHMALKE (C $4.99

AUG241580 SEVEN YEARS IN DARKNESS YEAR TWO #4 (OF 4) CVR B SCHMALKE (C $4.99

DEC241104 SHADOWPLAY GN VOL 01 MIDNIGHT SCHOOL (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

NOV242115 SHEEP PRINCESS IN WOLFS CLOTHING GN VOL 05 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

OCT241164 SIMULATION THEORY TP (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

DEC241084 STAR TREK LOWER DECKS #4 $4.99

OCT241136 STAR WARS BAD BATCH GHOST AGENTS #1 CVR A FAVOCCIA $3.99

OCT241137 STAR WARS BAD BATCH GHOST AGENTS #1 CVR B CARLOMAGNO $3.99

NOV241049 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC ADVENTURES PHASE III #15 CVR A TOLIB $3.99

NOV241050 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC ADVENTURES PHASE III #15 CVR B VALDE $3.99

NOV242116 STAY BY MY SIDE AFTER RAIN GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

NOV241656 SURGEON #2 (OF 6) (MR) $5.99

DEC241813 SWEET VALLEY TWINS GN HC VOL 05 SNEAKING OUT (C: 1-1-0) $21.99

DEC241812 SWEET VALLEY TWINS GN VOL 05 (C: 1-1-0) $13.99

NOV240361 SWORD OF THE TITANS TP VOL 01 (RES) (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

OCT241504 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #125 SKYCLAD NAUGHTY LIST (MR) $50.00

OCT241505 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #125 SKYCLAD XMAS CHEER (MR) $50.00

NOV242141 THERES NO FREAKING WAY BE YOUR LOVER L NOVEL VOL 06 (C: 0-1- $15.99

NOV247303 THIS IS BUT A HELL OF A DREAM GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

NOV241057 THOSE NOT AFRAID #2 CVR A FABRY $3.99

NOV241058 THOSE NOT AFRAID #2 CVR B PIAZZALUNGA $3.99

NOV241126 TMNT MUTANT NATION #4 CVR A CIZMESIJA $5.99

NOV241127 TMNT MUTANT NATION #4 CVR B FEDERICI $5.99

NOV242121 TOMO CHAN IS A GIRL OMNIBUS GN VOL 02 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $24.99

NOV242122 TOO PERFECT SAINT GN VOL 01 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

OCT241165 TOOTH GN (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

AUG241582 TRAMPLE ONE SHOT CVR A MOCHO (MR) $4.99

AUG241583 TRAMPLE ONE SHOT CVR B TAO (MR) $4.99

SEP241251 TRUE WEIRD TP VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

DEC242090 TYING KNOT WITH AN AMAGAMI SISTER GN VOL 08 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

NOV241059 WELCOME TO THE MAYNARD #3 CVR A BONE $4.99

NOV241060 WELCOME TO THE MAYNARD #3 CVR B MORRIS $4.99

NOV241061 WHERE MONSTERS LIE CULL DE SAC #4 CVR A KOWALSKI $3.99

NOV241062 WHERE MONSTERS LIE CULL DE SAC #4 CVR B HIPP $3.99

NOV247411 WHITE LIAR GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

OCT247196 YOU WONT FEEL A THING #1 2ND PTG JOCK (MR) $8.99

MAGAZINES

OCT241536 COMIC SHOP NEWS (100CT BUNDLE) #1956 (NET) $18.99

BOOKS

DEC241610 96 FACTS ABOUT BILLIE EILISH SC (C: 0-1-2) $6.99

NOV242133 ADACHI & SHIMAMURA SHORT STORY SC (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

DEC241105 BEAUTY OF HORROR COLORING BOOK VOL 07 (C: 0-1-2) $16.99

NOV242128 CASE FILES COMPENDIUM BING AN BEN L NOVEL VOL 04 (MR) (C: 0- $19.99

OCT241153 CRITICAL ROLE CHRONICLES OF EXANDRIA MIGHTY NEIN HC VOL 02 ( $49.99

AUG241590 MARVEL ART OF RUSSELL DAUTERMAN HC (C: 0-1-2) $75.00

AUG241591 MARVEL ART OF RUSSELL DAUTERMAN HC DM ED (C: 0-1-2) $75.00

DEC241588 MICHELLE YEOH LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK BIOGRAPHY HC (C: 1-1-1) $5.99

DEC242080 MUSASHI HC NOVEL (C: 0-1-2) $39.95

NOV242145 TRUE LOVE FADES AWAY WHEN CONTRACT ENDS SC NOVEL VOL 02 (C: $15.99

DEC241775 WHAT IS STORY OF CINDERELLA SC (C: 0-1-2) $7.99

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 15, 2021

MARVEL COMICS:

Amazing Spider-Man #81 (Cover A Arthur Adams), $3.99

Amazing Spider-Man #81 (Cover B Mahmud A. Asrar Devil’s Reign Villain Variant), AR

Amazing Spider-Man #81 (Cover C Arist Deyn), AR

Conan The Barbarian #1 (Facsimile Edition), $3.99

Deadpool Epic Collection Volume 1 The Circle Chase TP, $44.99

Defenders #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Javier Rodriguez), $3.99

Defenders #4 (Of 5)(Cover B Ken Niimura), AR

Demon Days Rising Storm #1 (Cover A Peach Momoko), $4.99

Demon Days Rising Storm #1 (Cover B Kaare Kyle Andrews), AR

Demon Days Rising Storm #1 (Cover C Gurihiru), AR

Demon Days Rising Storm #1 (Cover D Peach Momoko Design Variant A), AR

Demon Days Rising Storm #1 (Cover E Peach Momoko Design Variant B), AR

Demon Days Rising Storm #1 (Cover F Peach Momoko Virgin Variant), AR

Demon Days Rising Storm #1 (Cover G Mike Allred), AR

Demon Days Rising Storm #1 (Cover H Russell Dauterman), AR

Demon Days Rising Storm #1 (Cover I Alex Garner), AR

Eternals #8 (Cover A Esad Ribic), $3.99

Eternals #8 (Cover B Leonel Castellani MCU Variant), AR

Eternals #8 (Cover C Todd Nauck Headshot Variant), AR

Eternals #8 (Cover D Chris Wahl MCU Variant), AR

Excalibur #26 (Cover A Mahmud A. Asrar), $3.99

Excalibur #26 (Cover B Betsy Cola), AR

Hulk #2 (Cover A Ryan Ottley), $3.99

Hulk #2 (Cover B Pete Woods Devil’s Reign Villain Variant), AR

Hulk #2 (Cover C Adam Kubert), AR

Ka-Zar Lord Of The Savage Land #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Jesus Saiz), $3.99

Ka-Zar Lord Of The Savage Land #4 (Of 5)(Cover B German Garcia Map Variant), AR

Ka-Zar Lord Of The Savage Land #4 (Of 5)(Cover C Javier Rodriguez), AR

Marvel Graphic Comic Box Demon Days Rising Storm, AR

Marvel Graphic Comic Box Devil’s Reign, AR

Marvel-Verse Thor TP, $9.99

Miles Morales Spider-Man #33 (Cover A Taurin Clarke), $3.99

Miles Morales Spider-Man #33 (Cover B InHyuk Lee Devil’s Reign Villain Variant), AR

Miles Morales Spider-Man #33 (Cover C Mateus Manhanni), AR

Reign Of X Volume 7 TP, $17.99

Savage Avengers #27 (Cover A Valerio Giangiordano), $3.99

Star Wars Doctor Aphra Volume 3 War Of The Bounty Hunters TP, $15.99

Star Wars The High Republic #12 (Cover A Phil Noto), $3.99

Star Wars The High Republic #12 (Cover B Mike McKone), AR

Star Wars The High Republic #12 (Cover C Caspar Wijngaard), AR

Strange Academy #14 (Cover A Humberto Ramos), $3.99

Strange Academy #14 (Cover B Arthur Adams Character Spotlight Variant), AR

Thing #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Tom Reilly), $3.99

Thing #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Dan Panosian Devil’s Reign Villain Variant), AR

Thing #2 (Of 6)(Cover C Kevin Eastman), AR

Thor By Donny Cates Volume 3 Revelations TP, $15.99

Wastelanders Wolverine #1 (Cover A Josemaria Casanovas), $3.99

Wastelanders Wolverine #1 (Cover B Steve McNiven Podcast Connecting Variant), AR

X-Force #26 (Cover A Joshua Cassara), $3.99

X-Force #26 (Cover B Stephen Segovia), AR

X-Men Hellfire Gala The Red Carpet Collection HC (Pepe Larraz Book Market Cover)(per Penguin Random House), $75.00

X-Men Hellfire Gala The Red Carpet Collection HC (Russell Dauterman Direct Market Cover)(per Penguin Random House), $75.00

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

#IReadsYou Review: THE ETERNALS #1

THE ETERNALS #1 (2021)
MARVEL COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kieron Gillen
ART: Esad Ribić
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Darren Shan
COVER ARTIST: Esad Ribic
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jen Bartel; Russell Dauterman with Matthew Wilson; Arthur Adams with Jason Keith; Alan Davis with Nolan Woodard; Mike Del Mundo; Inhyuk Lee; Peach Momoko; Jenny Frison; Rian Gonzales; Greg Land with Frank D'armata; Leinil Franics Yu with Sunny Gho; Otto Schmidt; Takeshi Okazaki with Edgar Delgado; Khary Randolph with Emilio Lopez
[The following artists are not credited as variant cover artists in the comic book, but Diamond Comics Distributors is offering issues with their cover art for sale: Alex Ross; Mahmud Asrar; Dave Johnson; Frank Cho; Jeff Johnson; J. Scott Campbell; Todd Nauck; Dan Panosian; Joe Quesada; Ron Lim; Walter Simonson; Superlog; Skottie Young]
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (Jan. 6, 2021)

The Eternals created by Jack Kirby

“Only Death is Eternal,” Part 1

The Eternals are a race of humanoids in the Marvel Comics universe.  They were created by legendary writer-artist and comics creator, Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The Eternals #1 (cover dated: July 1976).  The Eternals are described as an offshoot of the evolutionary process that created sentient life on Earth.  They were created by the immensely powerful alien race, the Celestials, along with the Eternals' destructive counterparts, the Deviants.

The Eternals first comic book series ran for 19 issues from 1976 to 1977, with issue #19 having a January 1978 cover date.  In addition to Jack Kirby's original series, there have been miniseries starring The Eternals in 1985-86, 2006-07, and 2008-09.  In the 2018-launched Avengers comic book series (written by Jason Aaron), the Eternals discovered that their creators, the Celestials, preferred humans over them, which lead to the mass suicide and death of the Eternals (as seen in the Avengers story arc, “The Final Host”).

Now, the Eternals return in a new comic book series.  The Eternals (2021) is written by Kieron Gillen; drawn by Esad Ribić; colored by Matthew Wilson; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  In the new series, the Eternals face something new to them – change.

The Eternals #1 opens in “the Exclusion,” one of a system of sub-dimensional threads in “The Machine” (apparently the Earth-side system by which the Eternals teleport).  The Machine also narrates the story, which opens with the resurrection of Ikaris, the last Eternal to die.  However, the “Eternal Prime,” Zuras, has a surprise for the ever-direct Ikaris.  Ikaris must awaken and take charge of Sprite, the murderous prankster Eternal.

Arriving in New York, Ikaris and Sprite meet Iron Man.  Then, it is time to do their job, protect humans from “the Deviants,” especially those that become monsters.  While the mismatched duo is away, however, new death in a familiar guise comes for the Eternals.

THE LOWDOWN:  I recently read the original The Eternals #1, from 1976, which was written and drawn by series creator Jack Kirby.  I did this in preparation for the new series and for the (eventually) upcoming film, The Eternals, from Walt Disney Pictures and Marvel Studios.

First, let me speak to the beauty of The Eternals 2021.  I first discovered artist Esad Ribic when he drew the final two issues of the X-Men miniseries, X-Men: Children of the Atom (1999-2000), that was begun by writer Joe Casey and artist Steve Rude.  I was not crazy about Ribic's art in that series, but it was clear to me that this artist had huge potential as a comic book illustrator.

I must say that he has developed way beyond what I expected.  Here, Ribic's beautiful illustrations and Matthew Wilson's supernatural coloring combine to create gorgeous art that recalls the work of the late master, Moebius.  The graphical storytelling reads and feels like superhero comics as real science fiction comics.

Kieron Gillen's story is intriguing and the script is straightforward and clean.  His dialogue and The Machine's exposition made it easy for me to follow the story, setting, and plot/concept.  Gillen is going to make me spend some money on this comic book series.  So, if you don't want to spend more money on comics, dear readers, avoid The Eternals #1 2021.  If you are just looking for a really good first issue, spend it on this one … which has a killer last story page.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the Eternals and of good Marvel comic books will want The Eternals 2021.

9 out of 10

[This comic book includes a one-page tribute to former Marvel Comics publisher, Mike Hobson, who died in November 2020.]

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


https://twitter.com/Marvel
https://www.marvel.com/
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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

I Reads You Juniors: March 2021 - Update #101

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS: 

DC TV - From THR:  Actor Barry Watson, who starred in such TheWB/TheCW series as "7th Heaven" and "Hart of Dixie," will return to The CW as a cast member of the pilot for "Naomi," based on the DC Comics titles.

DC TV - From GamesRadar:   Patrick Schumaker, the showrunner for the hit animated series, "Harley Quinn," teases the voice-acting appearance of an actor from the upcoming film, "The Suicide Squad," appearing in season three of Harley Quinn.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:  Rumor - Warner Bros. did not want Ryan Reynolds to reprise his role as Green Lanter.  Reynolds played the character in the box office and critical disappointment, "Green Lantern."

VIZ MEDIA - From AWN:   Showrunner Steven Maeda wants to assure fans that despite a COVID-19 hiatus his team hasn't stopped working on Netflix's "One Piece" live-action TV series.

DC TV - From Deadline:   Actor Jordan Fisher will portray "Bart Allen," the superhero "Impusle" in The CW's "The Flash."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   DC Comics will collect all three "Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" miniseries and spinoffs in an omnibus edition that is due to ship the last week of December 2021.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Novelist Victor LaValle is joining Marvel as a writer on the "X-Men" line of comic books.

DC CINEMA - From BleedingCool:   Actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson announces that his DC Films' movie, "Black Adam," will open in theaters July 29th, 2022.  This article includes the announcement video clip that ties into the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

CONVENTIONS - From Deadline:   San Diego Comic-Con announces a three-day "special edition" for Thanksgiving weekend.  Kicking off November 26th, it will be the SDCC's first in-person convention since 2019.

IMAGE COMICS - From GamesRadar:  Artist Gary Frank talks to "Newsarama" about his new creator-owned comic, "Geiger," with writer Geoff Johns and their plans for a larger creator-owned universe.

DC CINEMA - From YouTube:  Here is the first trailer (Fri., March 26th, 2021) for James Gunn's "The Suicide Squad."

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   Marvel Comics has found a new distributor to get its comics into comic shops. Marvel has entered into an exclusive multi-year deal with Penguin Random House's distribution arm to deliver its comic books, trade collections, and graphic novels to the comic shop market (the Direct Market) beginning on October 1, 2021.  Retails can still order Marvel titles from Diamond Comic Distributors, which will actually be getting them from Penguin Random House Publisher Services (PRHPS).

From BleedingCool:  Penguin Random House answers 52 questions about its Marvel Comics distribution deal.

From BleedingCool:  Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Entertainment, has issued a public statement about Marvel's distribution deal with Penguin Random House Publisher Services.

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

MILESTONE - From BleedingCool:   DC Comics was going to release its new Milestone titles as digital-first titles.  Now, DC will release them print and digitally simultaneously.

DC CINEMA - From DCBlog:   Former James Bond star, Pierce Brosnan will play the character, "Doctor Fate," in DC Film's "Black Adam" movie.  Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will play the lead.

COMICS TO FILM - From THR:   We're eagerly awaiting director Cary Fukunaga's James Bond film, "No Time to Die."  He has a new project, directing a film version of Image Comics' cyberpunk series, "Tokyo Ghost."

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Actor Ron Livingston will play Barry Allen's father in DC Films' "The Flash."

 

From THR:  Spanish actress, Maribel Verdu, will play Barry Allen's mother in DC Films' "The Flash." 

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

COMICS - From THR:  Like Keanu Reeves, actor Thomas Jane ("The Punisher"), is getting into the comic book publishing business.  His series, "Lycan."  Mike Carey and David James Kelly will write the series, and AfterShock Comics will publish.

DC CINEMA - From THR:   Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren will play the villain "Hespera" in "Shazam! Fury of the Gods," the sequel to 2019's "Shazam!"

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Superman and the Authority" by Grant Morrison and Mikel Janin.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:   WarnerMedia CEO Ann Sarnoff speaks on "Zack Snyder's Justice League" and the future of DC Films.

COMICS TO FILM - From WeGotThisCovered:  Keanu Reeves will reportedly star in a Netflix adaptation of his recently released comic book, BRZRKR.

DC TV - From Deadline:  Actress Wallis Day has replaced actress Ruby Rose as "Kate Kane" in The CW's "Batwoman."  The character, "Ryan Wilder" (Javicia Leslie) will continue to be Batwoman.  Rose's Kate Kate had been Batwoman in the series' first season.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:   Hot off her film, "Promising Young Woman," Emerald Fennell is set to write the script for Warner Bros. and Bad Robot's "Zatanna," a DC Films movie.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics is raising the cover price on some "Batman" titles to $5.99 U.S.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:   Zack Snyder has a Q&A with "Deadline" and speaks on his “Cathartic Journey” with his 4-hour-plus "Justice League" cut, his future with DC & original intentions for Ray Fisher "Cyborg" Movie.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:   The final issue of writer Ta-Nehisi Coates' run on "Captain America" will be issue #30. 

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Writer-artist Joe Benitez is moving his self-published comic book, "Lady Mechanika," to Image Comics, where he once worked via Top Cow Productions.  The first issue of the new series begins in September.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool: Marvel Comics now has the license to produce comics based on the "Predator" film franchise.  They start in June with "Predator #1" from writer Ed Brisson and artist Kev Walker.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  DC Films, Warner Bros. and Chernin Entertainment are united to produce a film based on the comic book character "Hourman."

MARVEL - From EW:   Artist Russell Dauterman has designed some high fashion costumes for the X-Men that will appear in this summer's "Hellfire Gala" event.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY - From BleedingCool:   In a scoop, the site has a list of all 50 "Free Comic Book Day 2021" titles.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  It appears that DC Comics will finish publish Jeff Lemire and Keith Giffen's "Inferior Five" six-issue comic book miniseries, which it cancelled after issue four.  Issue 5 has been published on comiXology.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces six manga titles for release in April and May, including "I'm the Catlords' Manservant, Vol. 1"

HEAVY METAL - From BleedingCool:  Rich Johnston updates the legal issues between Diane O'Bannon, widow of screenwriter Dan O'Bannon, and Heavy Metal publications over the use of the "B-17" concept that Dan created for the 1981 "Heavy Metal" film.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   In the miniseries, "The United States of Captain America," Marvel will introduce a gay Captain America.  The series starts June 2021.

MANGA TO FILM - From Looper:   The site recommends the manga, "Gunnm," if you loved the movie, "Alita: Battle Angel."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   June is "Pride Month."  Marvel Comics" has announced a one-shot anthology, "Marvel Voices: Pride #1."

CARTOONS - From CNN:  The cover of the recent issue of "Charlie Hebdo," the French satirical magazine, has drawn ire.  The cartoon depicts Queen Elizabeth II kneeling on the neck of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.

DARWYN COOKE - From GamesRadar:   Marsha Cooke, widow of the late, great artist, Darwyn Cooke, has asked DC Comics not to use images from her late husband's art as the basis for NFT crypt art.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics has plans for Green Arrow's 80th anniversary, including a 100-page special.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Garth Ennis and Liam Sharp's first project together will be a Batman and Killer Croc comic book entitled, "Batman: Reptilian," for the "Black Label" imprint.

FASHION - From ElevenbyVenus:   Browse the selection of "Wonder Woman"-inspired fashion by tennis champion and designer Venus Williams.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   The "Believe in Wonder" campaign to celebrate 80 years of Wonder Woman has kicked off.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   DC Comics has "Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) plans.

 

From From BleedingCool:  Comic creators react to DC Comics and NFT.

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DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   There will be a "Batman: The Adventure Continues Season II" and it will feature "the Court of Owls."

IMAGE - From SmashPages:   The maxi-series, "Jupiter's Legacy: Requiem," will expand on Netflix's "Jupiter's Legacy" television series.

IDW - From TheBeat:   It turns out that Mark Doyle was only one of three editorial hires that IDW Publishing made.

ALAN MOORE - From BleedingCool:   There will be an auction for the publishing rights to legendary comic book writer, Alan Moore's "Long London" series of novels.

VIZ MEDIA - From Nintendojo:   VIZ Media will publish "Kirby Manga Mania Vol. 1" June 8th.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:    Here is a list of Spider-Man comics and books for the rest of 2021 and into the next year.

IDW - From BleedingCool;  Mark Doyle, the founder of DC Comics' "Black Label" imprint, is now "Editorial Director" at IDW Publishing.  Doyle was one of the DC staff let go ("fired") in 2020.

EN MEMORIAM - From APNews:   Norton Juster, the architect who became a children's book author, has died at the age of 91, Monday, March 8, 2021.  He is best known for the 1961 children's fantasy adventure novel, "The Phantom Tollbooth" and "The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics" (1963), which was adapted into an Academy Award winning animated short film.

VIZ Media - From ComicBook:   VIZ Media reports that 2020 was a major growth year for them.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  "The Amazing Spider-Man #67-69" will be published weekly as part "Chameleon Conspiracy" story line.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  Because of the success of Disney+'s "WandaVision," the following trade paperback collections: "The Vision Complete Collection," "Vision & Scarlet Witch: The Saga of Wanda and Vision," "House of M," and "Scarlet Witch by James Robinson: The Complete Collection" are all on back-order, with whatever copies comic shops and bookstores have now to be it until April 21, 2021 at the earliest.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Wonder Woman 80th anniversary celebration plans announced, including 100-page comic book special.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Erik Larsen is finally publishing the 12th issue of Ant, a comic book series he bought from artit OMB (formerly known as Mario Gully), in June 2021.

COMICS - From SmashPages:   Writer-artist Colleen Doran is going to adapt author Neil Gaiman's short story, "Chivalry," as a graphic novel, as she did with Gaiman's "Troll Bridge" and "Snow, Glass, Apples."

MANGA-ANIME - From CBR:  How to start reading the "Fruits Basket" manga and how to start watching the "Fruits Basket" anime.

MARVEL-MANGA - From BleedingCool:  The "Deadpool: Samurai" manga may be the most read Marvel comic in the world.

MANGA - From HypeBeast:   U.S. manga sales saw a 44% increase in sales in 2020.

MANGA - From ComicBook:   Kodansha Comics is going to release a limited edition, titan-sized volume of "Attack on Titan."

MANGA TO FILM - From Deadline: "John Wick" scribe Derek Kolstad and Amazon Studios teaming up on adaptation Of Japanese manga "Hellsing."

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   Gwen Stacey is "Spider-Gwen" no more in "Heroes Reborn."

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Variety:  Anthony Mackie finally takes the lead in a Marvel Studios project and gets a cover profile from "Variety."

FOX MARVEL U - From YahooEntertainment:  Once upon a time, Hugh Jackman saw director Lee Daniel's Oscar-winning film, "Precious," and wanted Daniels to direct the Wolverine sequel that would become 2013s "The Wolverine."

BOOM STUDIOS - From WashPost:   International superstar actor Keanu Reeves talks about writing his own comic book, "BRZRKR."

BLACK COMICS - From News19:  A profiel: "Illustrator Sanford Greene paving the way for Black heroes, and the artists behind them."

DC COMICS - From CBR:   Who is Val-Zod, Earth-Two's black Man of Steel?

DC CINEMA - From AVClub:  Ray Fisher shares new details of "racially discriminatory conversations" on Justice League set.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:   On "Instagram," comic book artist Joe Madureira may be teasing the long-awaited arrival of the tenth issue of his comic books series, "Battle Chasers."  The ninth issue was published in 2001.

 

From BleedingCool:  UPDATE:  Joe Madureira has announced that video game artist LudoLullabi will draw "Battle Chasers #10," which will be due in comic book shops later this year.

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MANGA - From CBR:  How to start reading the Inuyasha manga or watching the animae.

DC TV - From Deadline:   The CW has renewed "Superman & Lois" for a second season after its strong debut on multiple platforms.

IMAGE COMICS - From THR:  Mark Millar has announced the final entry in his "Jupiter's Legacy" comic book line.  It is "Jupiter's Legacy: Requiem," which artist Tommy Lee Edwards will draw.  The series arrives in June 2021.

FANTAGRAPHICS - From PW:  "Publisher's Weekly" talks to Shira Spector about her debut graphic novel memoir, "Red Rock Baby Candy."

CONVENTIONS - From GamesRadar:   San Diego Comic-Con International 2021 will be an online-only event.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  News of a Superman movie featuring a "Black Superman" has caused eBay sales on some DC Comics titles to explode.

COMICS TO TV - From EW:  "Entertainment Weekly" has a first-look at the comics-to-screen translation of Netflix's "Jupiter's Circle."  The series is based on the comic book by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely.

From YouTube:  "Jupiter's Legacy" first look video.

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DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   The worlds of comic books and video games collide  on April 20, 2021 as DC and Epic Games announced plans to publish "Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point," a six-issue miniseries that combines the Dark Knight and other DC Super Heroes with the global gaming phenomenon, "Fortnite."

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MARCH 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for March 2021 

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for March 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  March Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Second Sight for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for March 2021

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2021

APRIL 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for April 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Second Sight for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for April 2021

MAY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for May 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Comic House for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for May 2021

JUNE 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for June 2021 

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Eaglemoss for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for June 2021 

AUGUST 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day for August 14, 2021

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#IReadsYou Review: X-FORCE #1

X-FORCE No. 1 (2020)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Benjamin Percy
ART: Joshua Cassara
COLORS: Dean White
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITORS: Chris Robinson and Lauren Amaro
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Dustin Weaver
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mark Bagley and John Dell with Israel Silva; Russell Dauterman with Matthew Wilson; Juan Jose Ryp with Jesus Aburtov; Adi Granov; Tom Muller; Todd McFarlane with Jason Keith
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2020)

Parental Advisory

X-Men created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee; X-Force created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza

“Hunting Ground”

The X-Men are a Marvel Comics superhero team and franchise created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby.  In The X-Men #1 (cover dated: September 1963), readers were introduced to a group of characters that had unique powers and abilities because they were “mutants.”

Summer 2019, Marvel published writer Jonathan Hickman's revamp, reboot, and re-imagining of the X-Men comic book franchise via a pair of six-issue comic book miniseries, House of X and Powers of X (pronounced “Powers of Ten”).  October welcomed “Dawn of X,” the launch of six new X-Men titles, although all except one, bore titles that have been previously used.  The new series were Excalibur, Fallen Angels, Marauders, New Mutants, X-Men, and the subject of this review, X-Force.

This new X-Force comic book is written by Benjamin Percy; drawn by Joshua Cassara; colored by Dean White; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.  According to Marvel, the new X-Force team is the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the mutant world.  One-half is the “intelligence branch;” that would be the group of Beast, Jean Grey, and Sage.  The other half is “special ops,” with a unit composed of Wolverine, Kid Omega and Domino.

X-Force #1 (“Hunting Ground”) opens with a question.  What happened to Domino?  Meanwhile on Krakoa, the living island and mutant nation-state that is a home for all mutants, Wolverine is hunting for predators on an island where there should be none.  As he says, however, there is always a predator, and “...when you're safe, you're soft.”  Black Tom Cassidy feels something bad coming, even if Professor X says otherwise.  But this new mutant world would not need an “X-Force” in a perfect world, and this is not a perfect world...

The original X-Force team first appeared in New Mutants #100 (cover dated: April 1991) and was the creation of writer-illustrator Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza.  The team's first leader was the mutant, Cable, and X-Force took a more militant and aggressive approach towards its enemies than did the X-Men did as a team.

In this first issue, writer Benjamin Percy takes that to heart, and his story makes X-Force #1 a potboiler from page one to the last.  I don't want to spoil anything, although as I write this review, X-Force #1 is about two months old.  Still, I do want to say that “Hunting Ground” offers surprises and thrills throughout.  Of the four “Dawn of X” first issues that I have read thus far, this one is easily the best.

Joshua Cassara's art is gritty and dark and his graphical storytelling has that sinister edge that reminds me of Grant Morrison's lovely science fiction-conspiracy comic book series, The Invisibles (DC Comics/Vertigo).  Dean White's coloring is correctly garish and gives this story a nightmarish and apocalyptic feel.  There is a disquieting mood in letterer Joe Caramagna's mostly quiet lettering for this first issue, which is just right.

I definitely plan to read more of this new X-Force, even if its just the first trade paperback collection.  I feel safe in recommending it to you, dear readers.

7.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.


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#IReadsYou Review: MARAUDERS #1

MARAUDERS No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gerry Duggan
ART: Matteo Lolli
COLORS: Federico Blee
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
EDITOR: Jordan D. White
EiC: Akria Yoshida a.k.a. “C.B. Cebuski”
COVER: Russell Dauterman with Matthew Wilson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mark Bagley and John Dell with Israel Silva; Aaron Kuder with Jordie Bellaire; Rick Leonardi with Richard Isanove; Tom Muller; Todd Nauck with Rachelle Rosenberg; Philip Tan with Jay David Ramos; Russell Dauterman with Federico Blee
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2019)

Rated T+

The X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“I'm on a Boat”

The X-Men are a Marvel Comics superhero team comprised of individuals with unique powers and abilities granted to them because they are “mutants.”  Created by editor-writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the X-Men debuted in the comic book, The X-Men #1 (cover dated: September 1963).

Over its six decades of existence, the X-Men comic book franchise has been revived, revamped, relaunched, and re-imagined.  The latest remodeling came via a pair of six-issue miniseries, House of X and Powers of X (pronounced “Powers of 10”), which were written by Jonathan Hickman.  Afterwards, October welcomed “Dawn of X,” the launch of six new X-Men titles, although all except one bore titles that had been previously used.  The new series are Excalibur, Fallen Angels, New Mutants, X-Force, X-Men, and the subject of this review, Marauders.

Marauders is written by Gerry Duggan; drawn by Matteo Lolli; colored by Federico Blee, and lettered by Cory Petit.  Previously, “the Marauders” was the name of a group of assassins employed by the X-Men's adversary, Mister Sinister (now an ally).  As a team, the Marauders' purpose was to assassinate other mutants and to act as a commando strike-force to carry out acts of mass murder.  The new Marauders have been formed to protect and help mutants around the world.

Marauders #1 (“I'm on a Boat”) opens in this glorious new dawn for “Mutantkind.”  Around the world, mutants are entering gateways that take them to Krakoa, the living island and mutant nation-state.  But not everyone can enter those gateways... for various reasons.  One of the most famous members of the X-Men, Katherine “Kate” Pryde (formerly known as “Kitty Pryde”), cannot pass through a Krakoan gateway; for her, it's like walking into a wall.

However, around the world, there are mutants living in countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Krakoa, nor do they recognize mutant sovereignty.  Countries like Russia and Taiwan use various means to block their mutant citizens' access to the gateways.  Aboard a specially-fitted sailing vessel funded by Emma Frost and the Hellfire Trading Company, Captain Kate Pryde leads fellow mutants:  Storm, Bishop, Iceman, and Pyro, with Lockheed the dragon, on a mission to sail the seas of the world in order to protect those most hated and feared!

I was not impressed by the first “Dawn of X” title, X-Men, but I like this second one.  It's not that writer Gerry Duggan offers an exceptional first-issue script; it is good enough.  It's that Marauders has a lot of potential to address current issues and geopolitical affairs using the X-Men as allegory or metaphor.  Also, a sailing vessel promises some quasi-pirate fun.

The illustrations by Matteo Lolli are nice, and his graphical storytelling is clean, if not dynamic.  Federico Blee's coloring seems a little too thick and has what looks like smearing in several places.  Cory Petit's lettering is good, but a bit tame for a concept that demands boldness.  Truthfully, Marauders #1 could be the start of something daring or it could be simply the first issue of just-another-X-Men comic book.  So far, I suspect that it will be the latter, which will probably be the case for most (if not all) the“Dawn of X” titles.

7 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.


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

#IReadsYou Review: MIGHTY THOR #1

MIGHTY THOR No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Jason Aaron
ART: Russell Dauterman
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER:  Russell Dauterman with Matthew Wilson
VARIANT COVERS:  Olivier Coipel; Russell Dauterman (Design Variant) Russell Dauterman with Matthew Wilson; Mike Deodato (Hip Hop Variant); Sarah Jean Maefs as Photographed by Judy Stephens
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2016)

Rated “T+”

“Thunder in Her Veins”

Marvel Comics' version of Thor is, of course, based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name.  Thor first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 (cover dated: August 1962) and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby.    Marvel's “The Mighty” Thor is a superhero and a member of superhero team, The Avengers.

Thor possesses the “enchanted hammer,” Mjolnir, and he is the Prince of Asgard, the one true God of Thunder – the Odinson... until now.  There is a “Goddess of Thunder,” and she possesses Mjolnir.  She is Dr. Jane Foster, Thor's lady-friend.  As part of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” the new Thor has her second ongoing comic book series, Mighty Thor.  It is written by Jason Aaron, drawn by Russell Dauterman, colored by Matthew Wilson, and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Mighty Thor #1 (“Thunder in Her Veins”) opens with Jane Foster receiving chemotherapy because of the cancer that is killing her mortal form.  As Thor, she is healthy, and the Goddess of Thunder will be needed because elves are falling from the sky.  Before the Congress of Worlds, the Light Elves of Alfheim declare that the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim and their sly king, Malekith, are waging war against them.

Although that is true, the Dark Elves deny it.  The tense and dangerous situation could be resolved by Odin, but the All-Father hides in his castle, refusing to engage.  Meanwhile Cul Borson is still seeking to take the new Thor prisoner, but an even darker conspiracy is gathering against her.

When I read the beginning of the first Jane Foster series, Thor #1, in late 2014, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I thought the book's creative team had done a fantastic job of starting a new era of Thor.  Well, that same creative team is back for Mighty Thor, and the first issue of this series is simply a continuation of the previous series.

I called writer Jason Aaron's script for Thor #1 “a thing of wonders,” and he hasn't missed a beat moving into Mighty Thor.  He has given the saga of Thor and of Asgard a “Game of Thrones” vibe.  And why not?  Thor has always had the potential to be a tale of both medieval courtly intrigue and high-fantasy war and adventure, while being a superhero comic book.

I am still enthralled by Russell Dauterman's art.  At the beginning of the earlier series, I liked his art, but for Thor, it needed time to grow on me.  With the arrival of Mighty Thor, Dauterman has won me over; he has brought something fresh and vital to Thor, even almost a year-and-a-half later.  As I did before, I recommend that readers at least try the first issue of this new Mighty Thor.

A

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


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

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#IReadsYou Review: X-MEN #1 (2019)

X-MEN No. 1 (2019)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jonathan Hickman
PENCILS: Leinil Francis Yu
INKS: Gerry Alanguilan
COLORS: Sunny Gho
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Jordan D. White
EiC: Akria Yoshida a.k.a. “C.B. Cebulski”
COVER: Leinil Francis Yu with Sunny Gho
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mark Bagley and John Dell with Israel Silva; Mark Brooks; Tom Muller; Whilce Portacio with Chris Sotomayor; Leinil Francis Yu; Chris Bachalo with Edgar Delgado; Artgerm; Marco Checchetto; Russell Dauterman
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2019)

Rated T+

The X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“Pax Krakoa”

The X-Men are a Marvel Comics superhero team and franchise created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby.  In The X-Men #1 (cover dated: September 1963), readers were introduced to a professor and team-leader and his students who had unique powers and abilities because they were “mutants.”  The leader was Professor Charles Xavier a/k/a “Professor X.”  His students were Scott Summers (Cyclops), Jean Grey (Marvel Girl), Warren Worthington III (Angel), Henry “Hank” McCoy (Beast), and Bobby Drake (Iceman).

This past summer (2019), writer Jonathan Hickman revamped, rebooted, and re-imagined the X-Men comic book franchise via a pair of six-issue comic book miniseries, House of X and Powers of X (pronounced “Powers of Ten”).  October welcomed “Dawn of X,” the launch of six new X-Men titles, although all except one bore titles that have been previously used.  The new series were Excalibur, Fallen Angels, Marauders, New Mutants, X-Force, and the subject of this review, X-Men.

X-Men 2019 is written by Jonathan Hickman; drawn by Leinil Franics Yu (pencils) and the recently-deceased Gerry Alanguilan (inks); colored by Sunny Gho, and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  The series will apparently focus on Cyclops and his hand-picked team of mutant powerhouses who will stand between the mutants' sacred land (the island of Krakoa) and the threat of the human world.

X-Men #1 (Pax Krakoa) finds the X-Men engaged in a mop-up operation, destroying the last stronghold of Orchis, the organization that was attempting to build a more powerful generation of the mutant-hunting robots, the Sentinels.  Cyclops, Storm, Magneto, and Polaris find little real resistance from the minions of Orchis.  However, they do find a “posthuman” and a large group of mutant children in need of rescuing... and in need of a home.

So it's back to Krakoa, the living island and mutant nation-state.  Many are still adjusting to this new home and the new state of mutant affairs.  Meanwhile, their enemies are not going quietly into the night, nor is their evil science.

For the first two decades of its existence, the X-Men comic book series (later titled Uncanny X-Men) had an intimate feel to it.  The series basically focused on a small band of heroes and adventures who (1) had few allies and (2) fought “evil mutants” in order to protect the larger world of humanity.  Even when the team line-ups changed or when a second group of “New Mutants” entered the picture, the X-Men comics felt like an intimate affair with its tales of the mutant-us against the world.

From the mid-1980s on, Marvel Comics published an increasing number of X-Men and X-Men related ongoing series, finite series, graphic novels, and assorted one-off publications.  Then, the hit film, X-Men (2000), presented the X-Men's home and base, “Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters” (Xavier Institute for Higher Learning), as an actual school, packed with minor children who were mutants.  Marvel Comics followed suit, and suddenly Professor Charles Xavier a.k.a. Professor X's mansion went from half a dozen or so inhabitants to housing untold dozens of students, in addition to members of the X-Men who were suddenly being depicted as teachers and counselors.

So during the past two decades of X-Men comic books, the X-Men titles have stopped being superhero comic books and have become mutant soap opera, dystopian, science fiction, serial dramas.  That would not be a problem except there are too many characters, too many plots, and too many comic books.  No matter how many Spider-Man, Superman, or Batman comic books there are, those titles still focus only on Spider-Man, Superman, or Batman.  There is still an intimacy between the reader and a single character.  Too many Avengers or Justice League comic books become redundant, like an over-supply of superhero characters.  That's the problem with the X-Men... still... even after the latest spiffy, new reboot.

Jonathan Hickman's House of X and Powers of X were finite series with a purpose, a goal, and (more or less) an endgame.  Each series had a beginning, a middle, and an end – even during the moments when that was presented in a non-linear fashion.  Both of these comic books were wonderful, satisfying, complete reads.

But we seem to be back to the status quo that was not supposed to be, at least, post-Hickman revolution.  X-Men 2019 is the start of a wave of new X-Men titles, “Dawn of X,” soon to be followed by more waves.  Well, maybe Hickman will continue to surprise us and later issues of X-Men 2019 won't feel like padded story the way this X-Men #1 does.  One can hope, even a former X-Men fan like myself.  But I have a feeling that sales on the “Dawn of X” titles will have plummeted so much by the end of 2020 that Marvel Comics will already be planning the next relaunch.

5.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.


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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 15, 2019

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