#IReadsYou Review: BLACULA: Return of the King

BLACULA: RETURN OF THE KING

ZOMBIE LOVE STUDIOS

STORY: Rodney Barnes

ART: Jason Shawn Alexander with Scott Hampton

COLORS: Jason Shawn Alexander

LETTERS: Marshall Dillon

EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello

COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander

ISBN: 978-1-958509-00-5; paperback (January 31, 2023)

128pp, Colors, 19.99 U.S., $26.50 CAN

Rated “T+ / Teen Plus” or “16 years and up”

Blacula: Return of the King is a full-color, original graphic novel (comic book) that is based on Blacula, a 1972 vampire horror and Black exploitation film.  Published by Zombie Love Studios, Blacula: Return of the King is written by Rodney Barnes; drawn and colored by Jason Shawn Alexander (with some contributions from artist Scott Hampton); and lettered by Marshall Dillon.  Barnes and Alexander are the creators of the dark fantasy and vampire horror comic book, Killadelphia (Image Comics).

Blacula the film starred renowned African-American actor, William Marshall.  He played the film's title role, an 18th-century African prince named Mamuwalde.  In the year 1780, after a dispute, Count Dracula punishes Mamuwalde by turning him into a vampire and cursing him with the name “Blacula.”  Dracula seals Mamuwalde in a coffin that he hides deep in a crypt in his castle in Transylvania.  Blacula reemerges in the United States in 1972 where he pursues a human woman in what turns out to be a doomed romance.

Blacula: Return of the King opens in modern Los Angeles.  Tina Thomas, a young African-American reporter, writes for “Dark Knights,” a blog that “chronicles all things unnatural, uneasy, and undead in the greater Los Angeles area.”  For the past six months, people have been disappearing, and the word on the street and rumors from the shadows insist that the legendary vampire that haunted Los Angeles in the early 1970s has returned to kill.  That's right; Blacula's back.

During her reporting, Tina meets Kross, a young Black man whose family has been plagued by the curse of Blacula since his first appearance.  Kross leads a group of children, a band of “Lost Boys,” if you will, and all have also been hurt by the plague of undead that follows Blacula's blood lust.  Kross and his boys are determined to hunt and to kill Blacula, and before long, Tina finds herself joining them.

Blacula is also on a mission – his own kind of hunt.  He is searching for the one who forever changed his life centuries ago and cursed him with the mocking name, “Blacula.”  His enemy's name is Count Dracula, and that's right.  Dracula's back, too.

THE LOWDOWN:  I want and need to convince you, dear readers, to read Blacula: Return of the King.  It may be the most inventive and artistically ambitious graphic novel about a vampire since Jon J. Muth's Dracula: A Symphony in Moonlight and Nightmares, which was originally published by Marvel Comics in 1986.

The art and coloring by Jason Shawn Alexander is at times regal and elegant, as if hinting at what Prince Mamuwalde once was.  At other times, it is a blustery and frantic, desperate and stormy, and impressionistic and insane.  It is in these moments that the storytelling reminds reader of the backdrop to the horrific melodrama.  The victims of both Blacula and Dracula, as well as their undead acolytes, are the lower classes, the poor, and those living on the edge of an already frayed society.

That is why what writer Rodney Barnes offers is a true sequel to the 1972 film.  Blacula the movie was a very “Black” film, and Blacula: Return of the King is a very Black comic book.  Blacula, Tina Thomas, and Kross and his lost boys are all living the legacy of slavery and bondage, which is suffering and degradation.  In a way, the characters are living the best that they can, but they are cursed by history, both national and personal.  Blacula may be a monster, but he kills for food, a fate forced on him.  It is like fate of the young African-Americans characters here, who live in a gloomy world of abandoned and ignored neighborhoods.

Barnes and Alexander have made in Blacula: Return of the King a vampire story that is an amazing layered work – literal, metaphorical, and allegorical horror.  It is a sequel that honors the original and advances the story forward in way that is faithful in spirit and in potential.  And as a horror comic book, it is a damn fun read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Blacula, of Dracula, and of great vampire fiction will want to read Blacula: Return of the King.

[This issue contains an introduction, “Blacula and Me” by Rodney Barnes.  It also includes “Prince Mamuwalde Lives!: Resurrecting Blacula,” written by Stephen R. Bissette and edited by John Jennings.]

A+

10 out of 10

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

https://twitter.com/zombieloveLLC

https://twitter.com/TheRodneyBarnes

https://twitter.com/jasonshawnalex

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http://rodneybarnes.com/

https://rodneybarnes.substack.com/

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

#IReadsYou Review: AMERICAN GODS: The Moment of the Storm #1

AMERICAN GODS: THE MOMENT OF THE STORM No. 1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
SCRIPT: P. Craig Russell
LAYOUTS: P. Craig Russell
ART: Scott Hampton
COLORS: Scott Hampton and Jennifer T. Lange
LETTERS: Rick Parker
EDITOR: Daniel Chabon
COVER: Glenn Fabry with Adam Brown
VARIANT COVER: David Mack
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2019)

American Gods is a fantasy novel first published in 2001 and written by Neil Gaiman.  The novel won several fantasy-literary awards and has been developed into the current hit television series for the cable network, Starz Media.  American Gods blends Americana and also ancient and modern mythology to tell the story of a man caught in a war between the gods of the Old World and the new American gods.

American Gods is currently being adapted as a comic book series by frequent Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell, and publisher, Dark Horse Comics.  Russell is the guiding hand behind the American Gods comic book adaptation.  Russell writes the script adaptation of Gaiman's novel and provides the layouts for the artist.  American Gods the comic book is drawn and colored by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.

This comic book adaptation will yield 27 issues over three nine-issue series (or story arcs).  American Gods, the first series, ended late in 2017.  The second series, American Gods: My Ainsel, concluded at the end of 2018.  The final series is American Gods: The Moment of the Storm.

American Gods: The Moment of the Storm #1 opens in Minneapolis.  There, Shadow Moon, Czernobog, and Mr. Nancy meet Alviss, a dwarf, who provides them with a new mode of transportation.  The trio heads for “the Center” of the United States, near Lebanon, Kansas.  There, they will meet the people who killed Mr. Wednesday, and who now want to surrender his corpse.  The battle's just begun.

In my previous reviews of the American Gods comic book series, I have informed you, dear reader, that I am a big fan of American Gods the novel, although I did not read it upon its original release in 2001.  I read the American Gods:  Tenth Anniversary Edition (June 2011, William Morrow) which features a longer text and is the author, Neil Gaiman's preferred edition.  I also feel that I must admit that I loved that book, and that “love” is not a strong enough word in this case.  American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition is one of my favorite books, and I consider the reading of that edition of American Gods to be a life-changing event for me in terms of my life as a writer.

P. Craig Russell continues his excellent work, capturing both the details and spirit of American God's narrative through balance, knowing what text to retain and what to translate into illustrations.  He makes Shadow Moon really stand out and evolve.  He makes American Gods: The Moment of the Storm #1 as much a joy to read as the opening issues of the previous series.

Scott Hampton drawings and colors are more eccentric and ethereal than ever, but also quite solid in storytelling.  Still, Hampton infuses his art and storytelling with a sense of magic.  Letterer Rick Parker  hums along, capturing the magic with his stylish fonts and with the deftness in where he places exposition and word balloons.

As before, I implore you, dear readers, to set aside your four dollars each month so that you can buy this lovely comic book.  I still think that American Gods may end up being on the short list of great comic book adaptations of a prose novel.

8 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 for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 10, 2020

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC190266    ABRAHAM STONE TP    $19.99
NOV190213    BALTIMORE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $34.99
DEC190311    COUNT CROWLEY RELUCTANT MONSTER HUNTER TP    $19.99
DEC190234    CRITICAL ROLE HC VOL 01 CHRONICLES OF EXANDRIA MIGHTY NEIN (    $44.99
DEC190303    DISNEY LADY & THE TRAMP STORY MOVIE IN COMICS HC    $10.99
JAN200387    DISNEY PRINCESS FOLLOW YOUR HEART TP    $10.99
JAN200349    ETHER TP VOL 03 DISAPPEARANCE OF VIOLET BELL    $19.99
NOV190200    GRAFITYS WALL HC    $19.99
DEC190253    LADY KILLER LIBRARY ED VOL 01 (MR)    $39.99
JAN200339    LUTHER ARKWRIGHT TP    $39.99
JAN200355    MASK I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MASK TP    $17.99
JAN200307    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS HC VOL 03 MOMENT STORM    $29.99
DEC190267    RUBY FALLS TP (MR)    $19.99
JAN200333    SCARY GODMOTHER OMNIBUS (MR)    $29.99
JAN200354    STEAM TP    $14.99
JAN200356    STEEPLE TP    $19.99
DEC190264    TRIAGE TP 1 01    $19.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 17, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC180415    BERSERK TP FLAME DRAGON KNIGHT    $14.99
FEB190276    BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW #15    $3.99
FEB190354    CALAMITY KATE #2 CVR A HOWELL PINTO    $3.99
FEB190355    CALAMITY KATE #2 CVR B STOKOE    $3.99
FEB190261    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS MOMENT OF STORM #1 CVR A FABRY (MR    $3.99
FEB190262    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS MOMENT OF STORM #1 CVR B MACK (MR)    $3.99
DEC188010    WORLD OF TOM CLANCY DIVISION LTD ED HC    $99.99

Review: AMERICAN GODS: My Ainsel #1

AMERICAN GODS: MY AINSEL No. 1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
SCRIPT: P. Craig Russell
LAYOUTS: P. Craig Russell
ART: Scott Hampton
COLORS: Scott Hampton
LETTERS: Rick Parker
COVER: Glenn Fabry with Adam Brown
VARIANT COVER: David Mack
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2018)

American Gods, written by Neil Gaiman, is a fantasy novel first published in 2001.  The novel won several fantasy-literary awards and has been developed into the current hit television series for the cable network, Starz Media.  American Gods blends Americana and also ancient and modern mythology to tell the story of a man caught in a war between the gods of the Old World and the new American gods.

American Gods is currently being adapted into a comic book by frequent Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell, and publisher, Dark Horse Comics.  Russell is the guiding hand behind the American Gods comic book.  Russell writes the script adaptation of Gaiman's novel and provides the layouts for the art.  American Gods the comic book is drawn and colored by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.

This comic book adaptation will yield 27 issues of three nine-issue arcs.  The first arc ended late in 2017, and the first issue of the second arc, American Gods: My Ainsel, recently debuted.

American Gods: My Ainsel #1 finds the protagonist, Shadow Moon, and his mysterious employer, Mr. Wednesday reunited after Shadow's time in Cairo, Illinois with Jacquel and Ibis.  Once again, Shadow is playing driver for Mr. Wednesday, and on Christmas Day, the duo stops in a small town for holiday meal at “Gus's Family Restaurant.”  Wednesday gives Shadow a new name, Mike Ainsel, but a new name is not the only new thing Shadow... er... Mike will experience.

In my review of previous issues of this series, I always inform you, dear reader that I am a big fan of American Gods, although I did not read it upon its original release in 2001.  I read the tenth anniversary edition which featured a longer text – the author's preferred edition.  I also feel that I must admit that I loved that book, and that “love” is not a strong enough word in this case.  American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition is one of my favorite books, and I consider the reading of that edition of American Gods to be a life-changing event for me in terms of my life as a writer.

With that out of the way, I can say that I continue to enjoy this series.  I admire the patient way in which P. Craig Russell adapts the novel.  He captures both the details and spirit of this narrative through balance, knowing what text to retain and what to translate into illustrations.  Scott Hampton drawings and colors are eccentric and ethereal, but also quite solid in storytelling.  Letterer Rick Parker  hums along, capturing the magic with his stylish fonts and with the deftness in where he places exposition and word balloons.

So again, I implore you readers to set aside your four dollars each month so that you can buy this lovely comic book, dear reader.  I still think that American Gods may end up being on the short list of great comic book adaptations of a prose novel.

9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 23, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

NOV180211    ALIENS RESISTANCE #1 CVR A LA TORRE    $3.99
NOV180212    ALIENS RESISTANCE #1 CVR B JONES    $3.99
SEP180315    DANGANRONPA 2 TP VOL 02 ULTIMATE LUCK AND HOPE AND DESPAIR (    $12.99
JUN180343    EMPOWERED & SISTAH SPOOKYS HIGH SCHOOL HELL TP    $19.99
NOV180228    HELLBOY AND BPRD 1956 #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
NOV180258    LIGHTSTEP #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP180287    POLAR HC VOL 01 CAME FROM THE COLD SECOND EDITION    $19.99
SEP180261    PROBLEM OF SUSAN AND OTHER STORIES HC    $17.99
NOV180273    STARCRAFT SOLDIERS #1 (OF 4)    $3.99
NOV180276    WITCHER #2 OF FLESH & FLAME    $3.99

Review: AMERICAN GODS #5

AMERICAN GODS No. 5
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
SCRIPT: P. Craig Russell
LAYOUTS: P. Craig Russell
ART: Scott Hampton
COLORS: Scott Hampton
LETTERS: Rick Parker
COVER: Glenn Fabry with Adam Brown
VARIANT COVER: David Mack
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2017)

American Gods, written by Neil Gaiman, is an award-winning, fantasy novel first published in 2001.  The novel won several fantasy-literary awards, and there is currently a hit television series adapted from the novel and televised on the cable network, Starz Media.  American Gods blends Americana and also ancient and modern mythology to tell the story of a man caught in a war between the gods of the Old World and the new American gods.

It is currently being adapted into a comic book by frequent Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell, and publisher, Dark Horse Comics.  Russell is the guiding hand behind the American Gods comic book.  Russell writes the script adaptation of Gaiman's novel and provides the layouts for the art.  American Gods the comic book is drawn and colored by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.

American Gods #5 finds the protagonist, Shadow Moon, and his mysterious employer, Mr. Wednesday departing Chicago, leaving behind Czernobog and his eccentric family (with whom they stayed as guests).  Shadow still has the gift, a silver dollar, given to him by Zorya Polunochnaya.  They need money for traveling, and Wednesday comes up with a rather novel plan to get it.  Then, it is on to Wisconsin and “The House on the Rock.”

I will inform you again, dear reader:  I am a big fan of American Gods, although I did not read it upon its original release in 2001.  I read the tenth anniversary edition which featured a longer text – the author's preferred edition.  I also feel that I must admit that I loved that book, and that “love” is not a strong enough word in this case.  American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition is one of my favorite books, and I consider the reading that edition of American Gods to be life-changing event for me in terms of my life as a writer.

This adaptation begins its move into the central plot of the overall narrative.  That is good, because the longer it takes to get to the central action, more of the story starts to look like padding.  A reader can take American Gods the novel and read the entire story at his or her own pace.  American Gods the comic book is a monthly release, so readers have to take the narrative in small chucks and cannot tackle its entirety at once the way they could with a novel.  It's about time; as good as this comic book has been, it is also time to get to the “nitty gritty.”

So for the fifth time, I implore you to set aside your four dollars each month so that you can buy this lovely comic book, dear reader.  American Gods may end up being on the short list of great comic book adaptations of a prose novel.

9 out of 10

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.

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

Review: AMERICAN GODS #4

AMERICAN GODS No. 4
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
SCRIPT: P. Craig Russell
LAYOUTS: P. Craig Russell
ART: Scott Hampton; Colleen Doran
COLORS: Scott Hampton
LETTERS: Rick Parker
COVER: Glenn Fabry with Adam Brown
VARIANT COVER: David Mack
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2017)

Written by Neil Gaiman and first published in 2001, American Gods is an award-winning, fantasy novel.  It is currently being adapted into a comic book series, published by Dark Horse Comics.  The novel won several fantasy-literary awards, and there is currently a hit television series adapted from the novel and televised on the cable network, Starz Media.  American Gods blends Americana and also ancient and modern mythology to tell the story of a man caught in a war between the gods of the Old World and the new American gods.

Frequent Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell, is the guiding hand behind the American Gods comic book.  Russell wrote the script adaptation of Gaiman's novel and provided the layouts for the art.  American Gods the comic book is drawn and colored by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.

American Gods #4 finds the protagonist, Shadow Moon, and his mysterious employer, Mr. Wednesday in Chicago.  There, they meet an eccentric family tied to Wednesday's plans.  One of them, an elderly man named Czernobog, wants to play chess with Shadow, although the consequences for a loss by Shadow are dire.  There are also three sisters in the apartment, and one of them, Zorya Polunochnaya, has a gift for Shadow.  Plus, Mr. Ibis tells the “coming-to-America” story of Essie Tregowan – from the shores of Cornwall and the streets of London to early 18th century colonial Virginia.

Once again, dear reader, a reminder:  I am a big fan of American Gods, although I did not read it upon its original release in 2001.  I read the tenth anniversary edition which featured a longer text – the author's preferred edition.  I also feel that I must admit that I loved that book, and that “love” is not a strong enough word in this case.  American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition is one of my favorite books, and I consider the reading that edition of American Gods to be life-changing event for me in terms of my life as a writer.  True stuff, swear to an American god.

The main story by Russell and Hampton is, as usual, quite good, capturing the magic of Gaiman's book.  This time, however, the main feature is outshone by the back-up feature, the story of Essie Tregowan.  Drawn and colored by the incomparable Colleen Doran (who has previously collaborated with Neil Gaiman), the story reads like a fairy tale, the kind with the melancholy ending.

Doran is a respected comic book artist, but is perhaps under-appreciated as a comic book creator and publisher.  This story reminds us of her skills as a storyteller and perhaps, reveals to some and reminds others of the remarkable beauty of her comic book art and illustrations.  In the world of American comic books, Colleen Doran should be an American god.

So for the fourth time, I implore you to set aside your four dollars each month so that you can buy this lovely comic book, dear reader.  American Gods may end up being on the short list of great comic book adaptations of a prose novel.

10 out of 10

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.

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

Review: AMERICAN GODS #3

AMERICAN GODS No. 3
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
SCRIPT: P. Craig Russell
LAYOUTS: P. Craig Russell
ART: Scott Hampton; Walter Simonson
COLORS: Scott Hampton; Laura Martin
LETTERS: Rick Parker
COVER: Glenn Fabry with Adam Brown
VARIANT COVER: David Mack
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2017)

American Gods is the award-winning, 2001 novel from author Neil Gaiman.  It is now being adapted into a comic book series, published by Dark Horse Comics.  The novel won several fantasy-literary awards, and there is currently a hit television series adapted from the novel and televised on the cable network, Starz Media.  American Gods blends Americana and also ancient and modern mythology to tell the story of a man caught in a war between the gods of the Old World and the new American gods.

The guiding hand behind the American Gods comic book is frequent Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell.  Russell wrote the script adaptation of Gaiman's novel and provided the layouts for the art.  American Gods the comic book is drawn and colored by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.

American Gods #3 finds the protagonist, Shadow Moon, and his mysterious employer, Mr. Wednesday, still in Indiana where Shadow attended the funeral of his wife, Laura.  The duo prepares to leave for Chicago the following day, but that night, Shadow has strange, troubling dreams.  Then, he gets a visit from Laura.  Plus, meet the strange fortune tellers of Chicago.

I always feel or think that I have to let you know, dear reader, that I am a big fan of American Gods, although I did not read it upon its original release in 2001.  I read the tenth anniversary edition which featured a longer text – the author's preferred edition.  I also feel that I must admit that I loved that book, and that “love” is not a strong enough word in this case.  American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition is one of my favorite books, and I consider the reading that edition of American Gods to be life-changing event for me in terms of my life as a writer.  True, swear to an American god.

Dark Horse Comics, over their three decades-plus of publishing comic books adapted from other media, has produced countless high-quality “media-tie” comic book and adaptations, and American Gods is one of their best.  Even into this third issue, P. Craig Russell and Scott Hampton's American Gods feels true to Neil Gaiman's storytelling and text.

Russell is patient and allows his script adaptation of Gaiman's expansive novel to breath, rather than forcing the pace to squeeze the narrative into a miniseries.  Hampton's naturalistic art captures the supernatural aura surrounding American Gods' narrative, while fashioning a world that is both natural and supernatural.  I wondered how they could pull off Laura's return, which is one of the more troubling sequences in the novel.  They got it right; the comics vision of that event is also quite eerie.

So for a third time, I implore you to set aside your four dollars each month so that you can buy this lovely comic book, dear reader.  American Gods may end up being on the short list of great comic book adaptations of a prose novel.

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.

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

Review: AMERICAN GODS #2

AMERICAN GODS No. 2
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
SCRIPT: P. Craig Russell
LAYOUTS: P. Craig Russell
ART: Scott Hampton
COLORS: Scott Hampton
LETTERS: Rick Parker
COVER: Glenn Fabry with Adam Brown
VARIANT COVER: David Mack; Bill Sienkiewicz
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2017)

American Gods, the award-winning, 2001 novel from author Neil Gaiman, is now being adapted into a comic book series, published by Dark Horse Comics.  The novel won several fantasy-literary awards and is currently the subject of a television adaptation by Starz Media.  This fantasy novel blends ancient and modern mythology with Americana to tell the tale a man caught in a war between the gods of the Old World and the new American gods.

The guiding hand behind the American Gods comic book is frequent Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell.  Russell wrote the script adaptation of Gaiman's novel and provided the layouts for the art.  American Gods the comic book is drawn and colored by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.

American Gods #2 finds the protagonist, Shadow Moon, in a predicament.  Shadow was recently paroled after serving three years of his six-year prison sentence.  As his day of release approached, Shadow was anxious, strongly believing that something bad was coming towards him.  He planned on returning to Eagle Point, Indiana and his wife, Laura, but he discovered that she had only recently been killed in a car crash.  What to do, now?

Now, Shadow is deciding if he should take a job offer from the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, and he is also about to meet the first of his potential employer's weird friends.  Bigger shocks are to come when Shadow learns more details about his wife's untimely death and also about the people who don't want him to take that job.

I am a big fan of American Gods, although I did not read it upon its original release in 2001.  I read the tenth anniversary edition which featured a longer text – the author's preferred edition.  I loved it, but “love” is not a strong enough word in this case.  American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition is one of my favorite books, and I consider the reading that edition of American Gods to be life-changing event for me in terms of my life as a writer.

Dark Horse Comics, over their three decades-plus of publishing comic books adapted from other media, has produced countless high-quality “media-tie” comic book and adaptations.  Why stop now?  Well, I am not disappointed.

So far, I like P. Craig Russell and Scott Hampton's American Gods because it feels true to Neil Gaiman's storytelling and text.  Russell is patient and allows his script adaptation of Gaiman's expansive novel to breath, rather than forcing the pace to squeeze the narrative into a miniseries.  Hampton's naturalistic art captures the supernatural aura surrounding American Gods' narrative, while fashioning a world that is both natural and supernatural.

Once again, I implore you to set aside your four bucks for each issue.  We have in American Gods a comics adaptation of a novel that may end up being on the short list of great comic book adaptations of a prose novel.

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.

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

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 11, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC170129    ALIENS PREDATOR PROMETHEUS FIRE AND STONE TP    $24.99
DEC170099    BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW TP VOL 01    $19.99
DEC170107    EC ARCHIVES EXTRA HC    $49.99
JAN180003    FCBD 2018 DARK HORSE OVERWATCH & BLACK HAMMER    $PI
JAN180023    FCBD 2018 LEGEND OF KORRA & NINTENDO ARMS    $PI
MAY170077    GAME OF THRONES BUST JON SNOW LTD ED    $134.99
JAN180166    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON ARRYN    $2.99
JAN180167    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON BARATHEON    $2.99
JAN180168    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON BOLTON    $2.99
JAN180169    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON FREY    $2.99
JAN180170    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON GREYJOY    $2.99
JAN180171    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON LANNISTER    $2.99
JAN180172    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON MARTELL    $2.99
JAN180173    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON STANNIS-BARATHEON    $2.99
JAN180174    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON STARK    $2.99
JAN180175    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON TARGARYEN    $2.99
JAN180176    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON TULLY    $2.99
JAN180177    GAME OF THRONES BUTTON TYRELL    $2.99
APR170113    GAME OF THRONES FIGURE DAENERYS MOTHER DRAGONS    $29.99
SEP170134    HATSUNE MIKU FUTURE DELIVERY TP  02    $10.99
MAY170010    MOEBIUS LIBRARY ART OF EDENA HC    $34.99
FEB180028    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS MY AINSEL #2 MAIN CVR    $3.99
FEB180029    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS MY AINSEL #2 VAR DAVID MACK CVR (C    $3.99
DEC170082    ONCE UPON A TIME MACHINE TP VOL 02 GREEK GODS LEGENDS    $17.99
FEB180051    RESIDENT ALIEN #1 (OF 4) ALIEN IN NEW YORK    $3.99
DEC170116    TOMB RAIDER SURVIVORS CRUSADE #4 (OF 4)    $3.99

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Review: AMERICAN GODS #1

AMERICAN GODS No. 1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
SCRIPT: P. Craig Russell
LAYOUTS: P. Craig Russell
ART: Scott Hampton; P. Craig Russell
COLORS: Scott Hampton; P. Craig Russell
LETTERS: Rick Parker; Lovern Kindzierski
COVER: Glenn Fabry
VARIANT COVERS: David Mack; Dave McKean
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2017)

American Gods is a 2001 novel from author Neil Gaiman.  The novel won several fantasy-literary awards and is currently the subject of a television adaptation by Starz Media.  This fantasy novel blends ancient and modern mythology with Americana to tell the tale a man caught in a war between the gods of the Old World and the new American gods.

American Gods is also a comic book thanks to an adaptation by frequent Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell.  Russell wrote the script adaptation of Gaiman's novel and provided the layouts for the art.  American Gods the comic book is drawn and colored by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.  The first issue of American Gods also includes a four-page back story that is an adaptation of particular sequence (involving the succubus, Bilquis) from American Gods that is written, drawn, and colored by Russell and lettered by Lovern Kindzierski.

American Gods #1 opens in an unnamed prison where we meet the protagonist, Shadow Moon.  Shadow is in the third year of his six-year prison sentence and is nearing parole.  Being so close to getting out of prison has made Shadow anxious, and he feels that something bad is coming towards him.  Everyday he thinks of returning to Eagle Point, Indiana and his wife, Laura.  However, the world of the supernatural is what actually awaits Shadow... and a man calling himself Mr. Wednesday.

I did not read American Gods upon its original release in 2001, but five years ago, I did read the tenth anniversary edition which featured a longer text – the author's preferred edition.  I loved it; well, I don't think “love” is a strong enough word.  I consider that edition of American Gods to be life-changing in terms of my life as a writer.

I was happy to hear that Dark Horse Comics would be publishing a comic book adaptation, because I believed that, as they have always done, the people of Dark Horse take their comic book adaptations of other media seriously (Alien, Predator, and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to name a few).  They always seem determined to produce something of high quality, and I knew they would not want to fuck up Neil Gaiman's storytelling.

So far, I like P. Craig Russell and Scott Hampton's American Gods because it feels true to Neil Gaiman's storytelling and text.  The only thing that I don't like is waiting a month for the next issue.  It's that simple:  Russell and Hampton done good.  Plus, I have to say I wondered if anyone could visualize the part of the novel in which Gaiman introduces Bilquis, and Russell, one of the great visualists in the history of comic books, pulls that off.  [By the way, David Mack's variant cover for the first issue is also quite visually striking.]

So set aside your four bucks for each issue.  We have in American Gods a comics adaptation of a novel that may end up being on the short list of great comic book adaptations of a prose novel.

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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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 28, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC170062    BTVS SEASON 11 GILES #1    $3.99
DEC170063    BTVS SEASON 11 GILES #1 CVR B VAR    $3.99
DEC170064    BTVS SEASON 11 GILES #1 CVR C ULTRA VAR    $3.99
JAN180099    DOCTOR STAR & KINGDOM LOST TOMORROWS #1    $3.99
JAN180100    DOCTOR STAR & KINGDOM LOST TOMORROWS #1 VAR CVR    $3.99
DEC170122    ELFQUEST FINAL QUEST #24    $3.99
DEC170051    HUNGRY GHOSTS #2 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
OCT170049    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS HC VOL 01 SHADOWS (C: 1-0-0)    $29.99
OCT170085    TOMB RAIDER LIBRARY EDITION HC VOL 01 (C: 1-0-0)    $49.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 14, 2017

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB170070    ADVENTURES OF SUPERHERO GIRL HC EXPANDED ED    $16.99
APR170012    BRIGGS LAND LONE WOLVES #1    $3.99
APR170013    BRIGGS LAND LONE WOLVES #1 JUNG GI VAR    $3.99
APR170091    DRAGON AGE KNIGHT ERRANT #2    $3.99
FEB170059    EC ARCHIVES CRIME SUSPENSTORIES HC VOL 03    $49.99
FEB170095    FATE ZERO TP VOL 05 (MR)    $11.99
FEB170083    FRIGATES OF EVE ONLINE CROSS SECTIONS HC    $29.99
MAR170098    GARY GIANNI MONSTERMEN & OTHER SCARY STORIES TP    $19.99
FEB170088    HALO LIBRARY ED HC VOL 02    $49.99
APR170078    HARROW COUNTY #24    $3.99
APR170026    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS SHADOWS #4 (MR)    $3.99
APR170027    NEIL GAIMAN AMERICAN GODS SHADOWS #4 MACK VAR (MR)    $3.99
FEB170090    PLANTS VS ZOMBIES BATTLE EXTRAVAGONZO HC    $9.99
FEB170021    PREDATOR ORIGINAL COMICS SERIES 1989-1996 HC    $49.99
AUG160049    PREDATOR VS JUDGE DREDD VS ALIENS #4    $3.99
APR170079    SHADOWS ON THE GRAVE #5    $3.99
FEB170087    TOMB RAIDER ARCHIVES HC VOL 02    $39.99

Review: ROCKETEER Adventures #4

ROCKETEER ADVENTURES No. 4
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Dave Gibbons; Joe Pruett; John Arcudi
ARTISTS: Scott Hampton; Tony Harris; Brendan McCarthy
COLORS: Scott Hampton; JD Mettler; Jamie Grant
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
PIN-UPS: Ashley Wood
COVER: Alex Ross
ALTERNATE COVERS:  Dave Stevens (Cover B), Alex Ross (Cover RI – sketch); and Dave Stevens (B/W Incentive Edition)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2011)

Rocketeer created by Dave Stevens

Long live The Rocketeer!

Born in 1955, Dave Stevens was an illustrator, artist, and storyteller who worked on newspaper comic strips and as a storyboard artist on both live-action and animated films and also for television.  Many, like me, know Stevens for his comic book work.  While there was not much of it, what Stevens did produce was spectacular and beautiful.

His most famous comic book creation is The Rocketeer, a superhero Stevens first introduced in 1982.  The Rocketeer’s style and the mode of his adventures recall the Saturday matinee heroes of the 1930s and 1940s.  The Rocketeer’s exploits are mainly set in and around Los Angeles, beginning in 1938 and into the 1940s.  The Rocketeer even made it onto the big screen in a 1991 film from Walt Disney Pictures.

The Rocketeer is Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who discovers an experimental jet pack (or rocket pack).  When he straps it on, Cliff can fly and becomes The Rocketeer.  Cliff’s friend, Peevy, an airplane mechanic, helps him maintain and modify the rocket pack.  Cliff’s girlfriend is the actress, Bettie, whom Stevens based on real life, 1950s pin-up and fetish model, Bettie Page.

Debuting in 2011, Rocketeer Adventures was an anthology series from IDW Publishing.  Edited by Scott Dunbier, Rocketeer Adventures featured Rocketeer short stories (about 7 to 8 pages in length) produced by some of the most popular, imaginative, and unique creators in comic books.  The series, which had a sequel, basically paid respect to Stevens (who died in 2008) and his most beloved creation.

Rocketeer Adventures #4 features three stories.  The first is “A Day at the Beach,” written by Dave Gibbons and drawn by Scott Hampton, which finds the Rocketeer taking on surfboard thieves.  In “Waterlogged,” written by Joe Pruett and drawn by Tony Harris, the Rocketeer battles a Japanese submarine.  “The Flight of the Aeronaut,” written by John Arcudi with art by Brendan McCarthy and Jamie Grant, finds Cliff battling Nazis who want Peevy’s plans to improve the Rocketeer’s rocket pack.

“A Day at the Beach” shows off Scott Hampton’s technique in illustrated narrative, which I still find eye-catching decades after I first saw his work.  The delicate watercolors (or watercolor-like colors) perfectly convey a sunny day at the beach.  “The Flight of the Aeronaut” is scary, and I wish it were longer.

In fact, since Rocketeer Adventures was first published, IDW Publishing has published three original miniseries starring the Rocketeer (one of them featuring Will Eisner’s The Spirit).  So here’s an idea for another miniseries, Mr. Dunbier, editor of all things Rocketeer, a follow-up to “The Flight of the Aeronaut.”

As a bonus, Rocketeer Adventures #4 features two pin-ups by artist Ashley Wood.  The second of the two, entitled “Heaven Bound,” captures the sense of wonder and hope that the Rocketeer embodies.  Long live the Rocketeer.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 23 2014

DC COMICS

MAY140266     ALL STAR WESTERN #33     $3.99
MAY140186     AQUAMAN #33     $2.99
MAY140230     BATMAN #33 (ZERO YEAR) (NOTE PRICE)     $4.99
MAY140233     BATMAN #33 COMBO PACK (ZERO YEAR) (NOTE PRICE)     $5.99
MAY140354     BATMAN 66 #13     $3.99
MAR148214     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS BATMAN 1966 (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148209     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS BOB KANE (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148213     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS DARK KNIGHT (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148215     BATMAN 75TH ANNIV MASKS NEW 52 (BND OF 25)     PI
MAR148210     BATMAN 75TH ANNIVERSARY CAPE     PI
MAY140238     BATMAN AND ROBIN #33 (ROBIN RISES)     $2.99
MAY140357     BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE #12     $3.99
MAR140264     BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE HC VOL 04     $29.99
MAY140228     BATMAN ETERNAL #16     $2.99
MAY140254     CATWOMAN #33     $2.99
MAY140400     DEAD BOY DETECTIVES #7     $2.99
MAY140194     FLASH #33     $2.99
MAY140358     HE MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #15     $2.99
MAY140356     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR TWO #8     $2.99
MAY140190     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #33     $3.99
APR140269     JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICAS VIBE TP VOL 01 BREACH (N52)     $16.99
MAY140184     NEW 52 FUTURES END #12 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
MAY140264     RED LANTERNS #33     $2.99
MAY140196     SECRET ORIGINS #4     $4.99
MAY140167     STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES GI ZOMBIE #1     $2.99
MAY140206     SUPERMAN #33     $3.99
MAY140210     SUPERMAN #33 COMBO PACK     $4.99
MAR140258     SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS HC VOL 04 HYBRID (N52)     $24.99
APR140268     SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS TP VOL 03 AT THE END OF DAYS (N52)     $16.99
APR140296     SWAMP THING BY BRIAN K VAUGHAN TP VOL 02 (MR)     $19.99
MAY140198     TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA #13     $2.99
APR140302     UNWRITTEN TP VOL 09 THE UNWRITTEN FABLES (MR)     $14.99
MAY140411     UNWRITTEN VOL 2 APOCALYPSE #7 (MR)     $3.99
MAY140200     WONDER WOMAN #33     $2.99