Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for May 15, 2024

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

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BOOKS

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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 13, 2021

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB210249 AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER SMOKE & SHADOW OMNIBUS TP (C: 1-0-0) $24.99

JUL210297 BLACK HAMMER REBORN #4 (OF 12) CVR A YARSKY $3.99

JUL210298 BLACK HAMMER REBORN #4 (OF 12) CVR B JOHNSON $3.99

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MAY210293 DEAD DOGS BITE HC (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

FEB210251 LEGEND KORRA ART ANIMATED DLX ED HC BOOK 02 SPIRITS 2ND ED $79.99

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AUG210289 MAZEBOOK #2 (OF 5) CVR A LEMIRE $5.99

AUG210290 MAZEBOOK #2 (OF 5) CVR B NGUYEN $5.99

APR210443 NEXUS NEWSPAPER STRIPS TP VOL 01 GOURMANDO (RES) (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

AUG210284 NO ONE LEFT TO FIGHT II #1 (OF 5) CVR A $3.99

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MAY210238 UMBRELLA ACADEMY YOU LOOK LIKE DEATH DLX ED HC (C: 0-1-2) $79.99

MAY210237 UMBRELLA ACADEMY YOU LOOK LIKE DEATH LIBRARY ED HC (C: 0-1-2 $39.99

AUG210298 UNBELIEVABLE UNTEENS WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #3 (OF 4) CVR A C $3.99

AUG210299 UNBELIEVABLE UNTEENS WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER #3 (OF 4) CVR B F $3.99

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MAY210249 YOUNG HELLBOY THE HIDDEN LAND HC (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 24, 2020

MARVEL COMICS

FEB200910    2020 RESCUE #2 (OF 2)    $3.99
FEB200911    2020 RESCUE #2 (OF 2) ANDOLFO VAR    $3.99
NOV190946    AMAZING FANTASY OMNIBUS HC BRERETON DM VAR NEW PTG    $75.00
NOV190945    AMAZING FANTASY OMNIBUS HC NEW PTG    $75.00
FEB200899    CAPTAIN AMERICA MARVELS SNAPSHOT #1    $4.99
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FEB201069    FANTASTIC FOUR EPIC COLLECTION TP NAME IS DOOM    $39.99
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NOV190952    MORBIUS LIVING VAMPIRE OMNIBUS HC    $100.00
NOV190953    MORBIUS LIVING VAMPIRE OMNIBUS HC DM VAR    $100.00
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Review: DETECTIVE COMICS #1000

DETECTIVE COMICS No. 1000
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

EDITORS: Chris Conroy and Dave Wielgosz
COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Steve Rude; Bruce Timm; Michael Cho; Jim Steranko; Bernie Wrightson with Alex Sinclair; Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair; Tim Sale with Brennen Wagner; Jock; Greg Capullo with FCO Plascencia
MISC. ART: Mikel Janin; Jason Fabok with Brad Anderson; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts;
96pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. (May 2019)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Detective Comics is an American comic book series published by DC Comics, and it is the longest continuously published comic book periodical in the United States, according to the Guinness World Records.  Its first issue, Detective Comics #1 (cover dated:  March 1937), was published by Detective Comics, Inc., a forerunner of DC Comics.  Detective Comics is best known as the comic book series in which Batman/Bruce Wayne first appeared, in Detective Comics #27 (cover dated:  May 1939).

The first volume of Detective Comics was published from 1937 to 2011 (for 881 issues).  Then, as part of “The New 52” initiative, the series was relaunched in the fall of 2011 with a new Detective Comics #1 (cover dated:  November 2011).  In 2016, after 52 issues of “The New 52” run, Detective Comics reverted to what would have been its original numbering if it had not been relaunched – with Detective Comics #934 (cover dated:  Early August 2016).

March 30, 2019 marked the 80th anniversary of the first appearance of Batman.  Although Detective Comics #27's cover date is May 1937, it apparently debuted for sale March 30, 1939.  Just in time for this Bat-birthday is the arrival of Detective Comics #1000.

To celebrate, Detective Comics #1000 is an anthology (which the series originally was) featuring ten short stories created by an “all-star” list of comic book creators.  It also features a twelve-page preview of Detective Comics #1001 and has three pin-up illustrations.

For this review of Detective Comics #1000, I'll offer a few comments one each story:

“Batman's Longest Case”
STORY: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Greg Capullo
INKS: Jonathan Glapion
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano

Snyder and Capullo have been THE rock star Batman creative team of this decade, but this story, introducing another of Snyder's contrived secret societies, is a misfire.

“Manufacture for Use”
STORY: Kevin Smith
PENCILS: Jim Lee
INKS: Scott Williams
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Todd Klein

I think this is the first story I have ever read this is about the gun that killed Bruce Wayne's parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne.  I like this slightly imaginative slash inventive tale from filmmaker and sometimes comic book writer, Kevin Smith.  The art is standard Jim Lee Batman art – not Lee's best work, obviously.  The coloring by Alex Sinclair is gorgeous though.

“The Legend of Knute Brody”
STORY: Paul Dini
PENCILS: Dustin Nguyen
INKS: Derek Fridolfs
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Steve Wands

This is another good idea turned poorly executed Paul Dini story from Paul Dini.  However, this story has the best Dustin Nguyen art I have seen in quite awhile; maybe Derek Fridolfs' inking helped.  John Kalisz colors are also nice.

“The Batman's Design”
STORY: Warren Ellis
ART: Becky Cloonan
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Simon Bowland

The art team of Becky Cloonan and colorist Jordie Belliare produce some attractive art for this story.  Warren Ellis offers a thoughtful examination of how young men can end up as violent, remorseless criminals.  Ellis also presents a rather screwy, oddball version of what mercy from Batman looks like.  This is a nice story.

“Return to Crime Alley”
STORY: Denny O'Neil
ART: Steve Epting
COLORS: Elizabeth Breitweiser
LETTERS: Andworld Design

If any writer deserved to have a spot in Detective Comics #1000, it is classic Batman writer, Denny O'Neil.  His offering for this anniversary comic book features a Batman supporting character, Leslie Thompkins, that O'Neil created with artist Dick Giordano.  This is a powerful, powerful tale starring the one of the few characters who can give both Batman and Bruce Wayne pause.  Steve Epting's beautiful illustrations, Elizabeth Breitweiser's watercolor-like hues, and Andworld Design's lettering make this the best story in Detective Comics #1000.

“Heretic”
STORY: Christopher Priest
ART: Neal Adams
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Willie Schubert

The second best story in Detective Comics #1000, “Heretic,” features art by one of the greatest Batman artists of all time, Neal Adams.  It is set in the world of Ra's al Ghul, a character that Adams had a hand in creating.  Christopher Priest offers a potent tale about the fate of those become ensnared in both Batman and al Ghul's sphere of existence.

“I Know”
STORY: Brian Michael Bendis
ART/COLORS: Alex Maleev
LETTERS: Josh Reed

Okay.  The third best tale in this comic book is Bendis and Maleev's “I Know,” which depicts a confrontation between an aged Bruce Wayne and The Penguin.  This is an edgy tale with a Film-Noir feel, and I really like Maleev's design of each page.

“The Last Crime in Gotham”
STORY: Geoff Johns
ART: Kelley Jones
COLORS: Michelle Madsen
LETTERS: Rob Leigh

This is a nice tale by Johns and Jones.  This isn't Jones' best Batman work, but it is nice, and it is made all the better by Michelle Madsen's (as usual) gorgeous coloring.

“The Precedent”
STORY: James Tynion IV
PENCILS: Alvaro Martinez-Bueno
INKS: Raul Fernandez
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

This is a nice, sentimental tale about the importance of Dick Grayson/Robin to Bruce Wayne/Batman.  The art team, the colorist, and the letterer turn in some pretty art.  Brad Anderson's colors are practically radiant.

“Batman's Greatest Case”
STORY: Tom King
ART: Tony S. Daniel and Joëlle Jones
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Clayton Cowles

Meh.

“Medieval”
STORY: Peter J. Tomasi
PENCILS: Doug Mahnke
INKS: Jaime Mendoza and Doug Mahnke
COLORS: David Baron
LETTERS: Rob Leigh

This is story is basically twelve pages of filler exposition, but the art, colors, and letters are eye-catching.  “Medieval” also offers the preview of a big character debut that is supposed to happen in Detective Comics #1001.

Detective Comics #1000 is, by my estimation, better than last year's Action Comics #1000, which was apparently the bestselling comic book of 2018.  I think many of the creative teams in Detective Comics #1000 are better at capturing the history and characteristics of Batman and his supporting cast, than their Action Comics #1000 equals were with Superman, even if the Batman teams largely fail to tell stories that convey the mystique of Batman.

It took a little over eighty-two years for Detective Comics to get to one thousand issues, so many of the Batman writers, artists, and editors who established the character are deceased.  The shame of it is that many of the people who really deserve to contribute to Detective Comics #1000 are long gone from the world of the living, that includes Batman creators, artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger (arguably the greatest Batman writer of all time).

I would replace most of the artists in Detective Comics #1000 with such late luminaries as Carmine Infantino (one of the most important Batman artists of all time), Jim Aparo, Bob Brown, Gene Colan, Sheldon Moldoff, Don Newton, Marshall Rogers, and Dick Sprang, to name a few.  I would brush away almost all the writers who actually appear in this comic book for a number of Batman writers who are deceased, such as John Broome, Gardner Fox, and Frank Robbins, to name a few.

There are quite a few living Batman creators who should have stories here:  writers Mike W. Barr, Gerry Conway, Steve Englehart (a frickin' crime that he is not included here, really) Doug Moench, Grant Morrison, and artists Brian Bolland and Alan Davis, to name a few.  Frank Miller provides a variant cover for Detective Comics #1000, but...  Also, Alan Moore...

But I have learned to take what I get... even when there could be better.  Detective Comics #1000 will be the high-water mark for one-thousandth issues until some other titles reaches a thousandth issue.  Oh, well.

7 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 syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS #1

FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker
ARTISTS: Ariel Olivetti
COLORS: Ariel Olivetti
LETTERS: A Larger World Studios
COVER: Ariel Olivetti
VARIANT COVER: Steve Rude
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2017)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“The Quest Reborn!”

“Space Ghost” was an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions.  The series was created by animation conceptual artist, Alex Toth (who is also considered a legendary comic book artist) and was produced and directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.  A half-hour show, “Space Ghost” first aired on CBS from September 10, 1966, to September 7, 1968.

“Space Ghost” starred a mysterious superhero named Space Ghost, who fought supervillains in outer space.  He was assisted by two teenaged sidekicks, a girl named Jan and a boy named Jace, and their monkey named “Blip.”  Space Ghost has made sporadic appearances in comic books.  He returned in a slightly rebooted version in DC Comics' comic book miniseries, “Future Quest” (2016), which brought together characters from Hanna-Barbera's science fiction superhero animated TV series of the 1960 and early 1970s.

Now, Space Ghost and company get a their own story in the new Future Quest Presents.  This Space Ghost adventure is written by Future Quest scribe, Jeff Parker; drawn and painted by Ariel Olivetti (who drew DC's 2005 Space Ghost six-issue miniseries); and lettered by A Larger World Studio.

Future Quest Presents #1 opens with Space Ghost dispatching a band of raiders.  Then, it moves to a school where we find Jan and Jace learning about a history in which they recently played a part.  History is emphasized, as Space Ghost is planning to revive the “Space Force,” of which he is the sole surviving member.  First, he will need to begin gathering a metal that was important to the Space Force.  That means a trip with Jan and Jack and Blip to Amzot, the planet of his friends, The Herculoids.  But also waiting is an old enemy.

Future Quest Presents #1 is by no means great or even particularly good, but I'll take it.  I have been a Space Ghost fan since I was a little kid, and there have never been enough Space Ghost comic books to suit me.  Yeah, I expect more from writer Jeff Parker than I got here, especially coming off the wonderful Hanna-Barber tribute that was Future Quest.  Hopefully, the series/story arc gets stronger.

I am a fan of artist Ariel Olivetti, and I did like his art in the one issue of the 2005 Space Ghost miniseries that I did read (issue #2).  Here, he is inconsistent, but I think Olivetti may deliver some really good art and graphical storytelling as he gains momentum.

I am rooting for this comic book, and I plan to read the entire run – whether it is ultimately good or middling.

6.5 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 site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 2, 2018

DC COMICS

MAR180226    ACTION COMICS SPECIAL #1    $4.99
MAR180254    BATMAN #46    $2.99
MAR180255    BATMAN #46 VAR ED    $2.99
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MAR180326    EXIT STAGE LEFT THE SNAGGLEPUSS CHRONICLES #5 (OF 6)    $3.99
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FEB180297    FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS TP VOL 01 (RES)    $16.99
MAR180286    GREEN ARROW #40    $3.99
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MAR180323    SHADE THE CHANGING WOMAN #3 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
FEB180288    SUICIDE SQUAD REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 02    $34.99
FEB180317    ZERO HOUR CRISIS IN TIME HC    $24.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 21, 2018

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DEC170246    AQUAMAN #33    $3.99
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DEC178229    DAMAGE #1 2ND PTG    $2.99
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NOV170366    DC UNIVERSE BY NEIL GAIMAN TP    $19.99
DEC170406    DEATHBED #1 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
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DEC170361    FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS #7    $3.99
DEC170362    FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS #7 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC170292    GREEN LANTERNS #41    $2.99
DEC170293    GREEN LANTERNS #41 VAR ED    $2.99
DEC170300    HARLEY QUINN #38    $2.99
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DEC170310    JUSTICE LEAGUE #39    $2.99
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DEC170372    MAD MAGAZINE #550    $5.99
NOV170338    MOTHER PANIC TP VOL 02 UNDER HER SKIN (MR)    $16.99
AUG170339    NEW TEEN TITANS OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 NEW ED    $75.00
DEC170321    NIGHTWING #39    $2.99
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DEC170329    SUPER SONS #13    $3.99
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DEC170337    SUPERMAN #41    $2.99
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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 23, 2017

DC COMICS

JUN170239    ACTION COMICS #986    $2.99
JUN170240    ACTION COMICS #986 VAR ED    $2.99
JUN170246    BATGIRL #14    $3.99
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JUN170258    BLUE BEETLE #12    $3.99
JUN170259    BLUE BEETLE #12 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN170266    DETECTIVE COMICS #963    $2.99
JUN170267    DETECTIVE COMICS #963 VAR ED    $2.99
JUN170270    FLASH #29    $2.99
JUN170271    FLASH #29 VAR ED    $2.99
JUN170283    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #27    $2.99
JUN170284    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #27 VAR ED    $2.99
JUN170287    HARLEY QUINN #26    $2.99
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JUN170341    KAMANDI CHALLENGE #8 (OF 12)    $3.99
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MAY170340    LOONEY TUNES GREATEST HITS TP VOL 03 BEEP BEEP    $12.99
JUN170373    MANHUNTER SPECIAL #1    $4.99
JUN170366    MOTHER PANIC #10 (MR)    $3.99
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MAY170348    NEW TEEN TITANS TP VOL 07    $19.99
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JUN170323    TEEN TITANS #11    $3.99
JUN170324    TEEN TITANS #11 VAR ED    $3.99
MAY170328    WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 03 THE TRUTH (REBIRTH)    $16.99

Review: FUTURE QUEST #5

FUTURE QUEST No. 5
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker – @JeffParker
ARTIST: Evan “Doc” Shaner; Craig Rousseau
COLORS: Hi-Fi; Jeremy Lawson
LETTERS: ALW Studios' Dave Lanphear
COVER: Evan “Doc”Shaner
VARIANT COVER: Steve Rude with John Kalisz
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“The Wheel of History” Part 5

Future Quest is a comic book series that re-imagines and re-interprets the classic sci-fi and superhero television series created by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera.  Published by DC Comics, Future Quest brings together the stars of the TV programs “Jonny Quest,” “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor.”

Future Quest is written by Jeff Parker; colored by Hi-Fi; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.  Evan “Doc” Shaner is the series' lead artist, with other artists stepping in for particular chapters and side stories, such as artist Craig Rousseau for this issue.  Future Quest centers on the cast of “Jonny Quest” (referred to as “Team Quest”), as they lead a struggle against the universal and time-line threat, Omnikron, and a plot by Quest adversary, Dr. Zin, to use the entity.

In Future Quest #5 (“The Wheel of History”), Team Quest and company try to figure out the meaning of a set of ancient cliff paintings.  They encounter agents of F.E.A.R. and also an old Quest adversary.  Plus, dinosaurs stampede and a hero is reborn.  Also, meet “The Impossibles” in the story “Code Name: Cobalt.”  Learn about their origin and meet someone who wants to be their newest member.

Future Quest #5 starts with what may be the best 12-issue set of pages that I have read all year.  “The Wheel of History” highlights why writer Jeff Parker and artist Evan Shaner are the heart and soul of Future Quest.  Other artists have shone well, but when Parker and Shaner are together, it's magic, man – at least for me.  It is not even close; Parker-Shaner is DC Comics' best creative team.

Parker and Craig Rousseau are also good on The Impossibles story, which is a nice read.  But when I recommend Future Quest, I'm pimping Parker-Shaner, the dynamic duo of DC's best comic book.

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.

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

Review: FUTURE QUEST #3

FUTURE QUEST No. 3
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted of Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker – @JeffParker
ARTIST: Steve Rude
COLORS: Steve Buccellato
LETTERS: ALW Studios' Dave Lanphear
COVER: Steve Rude
VARIANT COVER: Karl Kerschl
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Vortex Tales: Birdman in: The Deadly Distance”

Future Quest is a comic book series produced by DC Comics that re-imagines and re-interprets the classic sci-fi and superhero television series created by American animation studio, Hanna-Barbera.  Future Quest brings together the stars of the TV programs “Jonny Quest,” “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor.”

Future Quest is written by Jeff Parker; primarily drawn by Evan “Doc” Shaner; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.  So far, the main focus of Future Quest is the cast of “Jonny Quest” (referred to as “Team Quest”):  Jonny Quest; his adopted brother, Hadji; his father, Dr. Benton Quest; family bodyguard, Race Bannon; and, of course, Jonny's dog, Bandit.

Future Quest #3 offers two “Vortex Tales.”  “The Deadly Distance” is written by Jeff Parker; drawn by Steve Rude; colored by Steve Buccellato; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.  The story takes place just before the events depicted in Future Quest #1.  It finds Birdman in Southwest Utah where he joins Inter-Nation Security agent, Deva Sumadi, to battle what they call a “xenomass.”  This creature is really part of the alien Omnikron, which seeks to absorb everything.

The second of the “Vortex Tales” is “Mine-Crash!” and stars The Herculoids.  It is written by Parker; drawn by Aaron Lopresti (pencils) and Karl Kesel (inks); colored by Hi-Fi; and letterd by Dave Lanphear.  On the Herculoids home planet, Quasar, the strange heroes, Tundro, Zok, Igoo, and Gloop and Gleep, battle mining robots.  Now, it is time for Tarra and Zandor to the tell their son, Dorno, and the Herculoids the story of their previous life on Quasar's sister planet, Amzot.  They will reveal how the “Robot Uprising” affects them today.

Future Quest #3 is essentially a fill-in issue, but it gives readers a welcomed glimpse into the back story of the series' primary plot, while also providing what is essentially an origin story of “The Herculoids.”  Writer Jeff Parker is the chosen one, the storyteller who can take classic Hanna-Barbera sci-fi/superhero and bring them into the modern age.  That he has advanced these concepts in terms of character and drama is diamond icing on the golden cake.

Speaking on golden, Steve Rude, who was influenced by Hanna-Barbera, delivers wonderful storytelling in the Birdman tale.  There is a sense of dynamism that matches the classic Birdman cartoons, but the sense of drama Rude brings to the character is new.  Two decades as a comic book artist and Aaron Lopresti is still refining his art and craft.  With his work on this Herculoids short story, he may have made the case that if The Herculoids get their own comic book, he should be the artist.

Future Quest #3 delivers.  It is not an issue to set aside, and like the earlier two issues, it makes the case that this is the best comic book that DC Comics is currently publishing.

A

This comic book includes the story, “Vortex Tales: The Herculoids in Mine-Crash!” written by Jeff Parker; drawn by Aaron Lopresti (pencils) and Karl Kesel (inks); colored by Hi-Fi; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.

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.

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

Review: FUTURE QUEST #1

FUTURE QUEST No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker – @JeffParker
ARTISTS: Evan “Doc” Shaner – @DocShaner (p. 1-19, 28-30); Steve “The Dude” Rude (p. 20-27)
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire – @whoajordie
LETTERS: ALW Studios' Dave Lanphear
COVER: Evan “Doc” Shaner
VARIANT COVERS: Steve Rude with Steve Buccellato; Bill Sienkiewicz; Aaron Lopresti; Joe Quinnoes
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Part One: “Lights in the Sky”

A few months ago, DC Comics announced that it would publish a small line of comic books that would re-imagine and re-interpret classic Hanna-Barbera television series and characters.  Hanna-Barbera was an American animation studio that produced animated television series for American television networks, mostly for broadcast on Saturday mornings, but also for prime time.

Future Quest, the first of these comic books, debuted recently.  Future Quest brings the stars of Hanna-Barbera's action, sci-fi, and superhero TV series together.  That includes “Jonny Quest” (one of those prime time animated series), “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor.”

The cast of “Jonny Quest” seem to be the stars of Future Quest, and are referred to as “Team Quest.”  They are Jonny Quest; his adopted brother, Hadji; his father, Dr. Benton Quest; family bodyguard, Race Bannon; Race's love interest and spy-type, Jezebel Jade; and, of course, Jonny's dog, Bandit. Future Quest is written by Jeff Parker; drawn by Evan “Doc” Shaner; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.  Artist Steve Rude contributes eight pages to this first issue.

Future Quest #1 (“Lights in the Sky”) finds Jonny and Hadji wearing classic Quest rocket packs and zipping around the Florida Everglades. Meanwhile, Dr. Quest receives two visitors from “Inter-Nation Security,” who have come to see him about strange anomalies popping up all over the Earth.  Meanwhile, Team Quest's arch-nemesis, Dr. Zin, suddenly appears in the Everglades and attacks Jonny, Hadji, and Race.  However, all of Earth is about to be drawn into an epic struggle that threatens the galaxy and perhaps, even the universe.

I was cynical about DC's Hanna-Barbera (sometimes known as “H-B”) announcement.  Quite a bit of the storytelling that entertained me in my early and formative years came from classic H-B series.  It is not often that comic book versions or even TV remakes of classic 1960s and 1970s H-B series have pleased me.  [I really like the Scooby-Doo straight-to-video movies that Warner Bros. has been producing since the late 1990s].

However, I'm all in on Future Quest.  Writer Jeff Parker has captured the sense of adventure, fun, and wonder that permeated classic action/superhero/sci-fi and fantasy H-B series like “Jonny Quest” and “Space Ghost.”  It does not matter that Future Quest will unite characters that have rarely appeared together, if at all.  If H-B had brought together “Jonny Quest,” “Space Ghost,” “The Herculoids,” “Birdman,” “Frankenstein Jr.,” “The Galaxy Trio,” “The Impossibles,” and “Mightor,”  I can't imagine that it would look too different from what at least this first issue of Future Quest suggests.  Also, my feeling is that Jeff Parker is doing this the right way.

I am a fan of artist Steve Rude.  He claims “Space Ghost” as a huge influence on his work as a comic book artist, especially on the comic book, Nexus, which he produces with writer Mike Baron.  It is good to see him work on Future Quest.  Rude on Future Quest is a no-brainer.

But series artist Evan “Doc” Shaner takes a backseat to no one on this comic book.  His clear line drawing style recalls classic H-B, but also captures the spirit of those wonderful European comic graphic albums that appeal to readers, young and old, such as Tintin and the Smurfs.  When Jordie Bellaire adds her magical colors, the comic art in Future Quest looks fantastic.  It evokes H-B while being something new, fresh, and vibrant.

In fact, this is what the classic, but old H-B action TV series need – a fresh take and a new beginning.  Part of me is still doubting.  Is this first issue a fluke?  Can Future Quest be as good – long term – as I think this first issue is.  I believe in Parker and Shaner.

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.

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

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 16, 2015

DARK HORSE COMICS

AUG150057     AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER TP VOL 11 SMOKE & SHADOW PART 2     $10.99
OCT150056     BPRD HELL ON EARTH #138     $3.50
OCT150038     DARK HORSE PRESENTS 2014 #17     $4.99
SEP150046     DEATH HEAD #5     $3.99
NOV150117     DRAGON AGE INQUISITION PLAYING CARDS SERIES TWO     $6.99
OCT150009     DRAGON AGE MAGEKILLER #1     $3.99
AUG150034     EC ARCHIVES WEIRD SCIENCE VOL 01     $49.99
OCT150015     EVE VALKYRIE #3     $3.99
AUG150058     HERO HC VOL 02     $24.99
AUG150043     NEXUS INTO THE PAST TP     $17.99
OCT150018     PLANTS VS ZOMBIES ONGOING #7 PETAL TO THE METAL     $2.99
OCT150073     ROOK #3     $3.99
OCT150074     STEAM MAN #3     $3.99
AUG150067     WITCHER TP VOL 02 FOX CHILDREN     $17.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 10, 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL140123     ABE SAPIEN #16     $3.50
MAY140026     BPRD HELL ON EARTH TP VOL 09 REIGN OF BLACK FLAME     $19.99
APR140117     CLASSIC MARVEL UNCANNY X-MEN 94 #4 NIGHTCRAWLER     $49.95
JUL140098     DARK AGES #2     $3.99
MAY140102     LEGAL DRUG OMNIBUS TP     $19.99
MAY140091     NEXUS OMNIBUS TP VOL 06     $24.99
JUL140052     PROMETHEUS FIRE AND STONE #1     $3.50
JUL140062     TERMINATOR SALVATION FINAL BATTLE #9     $3.99
JUL140115     WHEDON THREE WAY ONESHOT     $1.00
JUL140085     X #17 (MR)     $2.99

I Reads You Review: JONNY QUEST #1

JONNY QUEST #1
COMICO The Comic Company

WRITER: Doug Wildey; William Messner-Loebs
PENCILS: Doug Wildey; Steve Rude
INKS: Doug Wildey; Mike Royer
COLORS: Doug Wildey; Matt Wagner
LETTERS: Doug Wildey; Bob Pinaha
PIN-UPS: Steve Rude; Marc Hempel and Mark Wheatley; Bill Willingham and Terry Austin
32pp, Color, $1.50 U.S., $2.25 CAN (June 1986)

“Jonny Quest” was a science fiction and action-adventure animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for Screen Gems.  The series was created and designed by comic book artist, Doug Wildey.  “Jonny Quest” was broadcast on ABC in prime time for one season in 1964–1965 for a total of 26 episodes.

“Jonny Quest” focused on Jonathan “Jonny” Quest, an 11-year-old boy who accompanies Dr. Benton C. Quest, his genius scientist father, on extraordinary adventures.  Roger T. “Race” Bannon was a special agent from the governmental agency, Intelligence One.  A pilot, Race was also Jonny’s tutor, as well as his bodyguard, as the (presumably) U.S. government feared that the boy could be kidnapped.  Jonny’s best friend was Hadji Singh, a streetwise, 11-year-old orphan from Calcutta whom Dr. Benton Quest adopted as his son.  Jonny has a pet, Bandit, a small white dog.

There have been comic book adaptations of “Jonny Quest.”  In 1964, Gold Key Comics published Jonny Quest #1 (cover dated: December 1964?), which retold the first TV episode, “Mystery of the Lizard Men.”  The Grand Comics Database lists a single-issue Jonny Quest comic book published in Australia in 1976.

Beginning in 1986, Pennsylvania-based comic book publisher, Comico The Comic Company (or just Comico), began publishing a Jonny Quest comic book with all-new stories, using the original TV series as a template.  Jonny Quest ran for 31 issues, with two issues of the Jonny Quest Special, and three issues of Jonny Quest Classic.  Drawn by Doug Wildey, the “Classic” series retold three “Jonny Quest” TV episodes:  “Shadow of the Condor,” “Calcutta Adventure,” and “Werewolf of the Timberland.”  There was also Jezebel Jade, a three-issue miniseries starring Jade, a female combination soldier-of-fortune, mercenary, spy, etc. who appeared in the 1965-65 series and had (has) some kind of romantic relationship with Race.

Some months ago, on eBay, I bought a bundle of 1980s comic books that were published by independent publishers.  What I really wanted were the issues of Wally Wood’s T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents included in this auction lot, but I was surprised to find the first issue of Comico’s ongoing Jonny Quest series.

Jonny Quest #1 contains two interconnected short stories.  The first is “The Sands of Khasa Tahid,” written and drawn by “Jonny Quest” designer/creator, Doug Wildey.  Jonny, Hadji, and Race are traveling across the desert of an unnamed North African country.  Their destination is the Chandarkin Oasis, which is the location of an ancient city buried beneath its sands… or so goes Dr. Quest’s theory.  The machinations of longtime Quest adversary, Dr. Zin, is about to put this trio in an explosive situation.

The second story is “City of Lost Time,” which is written by William Messner-Loebs and drawn by Steve Rude and Mike Royer.  Dr. Quest, Race, and the boys head towards the uncovered city of Khasa Tahid, with Jezebel Jade along for the ride.  They aren’t the only ones looking to discover the lost city’s secrets, which are about to reveal themselves to two curious boys.

I read this comic book around the time it was first released.  I liked it, but not enough to keep reading the series.  I’m not sure how many issues after the first issue I read, if I read any at all.  Looking back, Jonny Quest #1 is good, but not great.  I was a huge fan of the old TV series, and Doug Wildey’s opening story captures the graphic and visual sensibilities of the show, obviously, as Wildey created the show.  The second story has some nice ideas, especially about the unseen denizens of the Khasa Tahid, but it is truncated.  It needed to be a full-issue story, at least.

This time around, however, I do plan to try to read more of the series, especially the “specials” and Jonny Quest Classics.  Jonny Quest #1 turned out to be a nice “bonus” in that eBay lot I bought.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 4 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

APR140018 ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #3 MAIN CVR $3.50
MAR130085 BETTIE PAGE GIRL OF OUR DREAMS SCULPTED METAL PIN $12.99
FEB140045 DRAGON AGE LIBRARY ED HC VOL 01 $39.99
FEB140038 FEAR AGENT TP VOL 03 LAST GOODBYE (2ND ED) $16.99
FEB140017 GHOST #4 $2.99
MAR140085 LOBSTER JOHNSON GET LOBSTER #4 $3.99
FEB140041 MASS EFFECT FOUNDATION TP VOL 02 $16.99
APR140049 MICHAEL AVON OEMINGS VICTORIES #12 (MR) $3.99
FEB140028 NEXUS OMNIBUS TP VOL 05 $24.99
FEB140085 ROBERT E HOWARDS SAVAGE SWORD #8 $7.99
FEB140081 TOSHIRO TP $19.99