Showing posts with label Tee Franklin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tee Franklin. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Review: JOOK JOINT #1

JOOK JOINT No. 1 (OF 5)
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tee Franklin
ART: Alitha E. Martinez
COLORS: Shari Chankhamma
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Brenda Wright
COVER: Alitha E. Martinez with Shari Chankhamma.
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike Hawthorne with Jordie Bellaire
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2018)

Rated M/Mature

Jook Joint is a new comic book series from writer Tee Franklin (Bingo Love) and artist Alitha E. Martinez (Black Panther: World of Wakanda).  The series focuses on a voodoo priestess who is the proprietor of a strange music and social club that resides somewhere outside New Orleans.

Jook Joint #1 opens in the 1950s.  Everyone knows that the hottest spot in all of New Orleans is the Jook Joint, where the jazz is always popping and people keep on a-bobbing.  The women who work in the club are to die for... and men literally die if they don't follow the Jook Joint's only rule:  “Keep your hands to yourself.”  Of course, some men don't believe that rules apply to them, and that is when the Jook Joint's owner, Mahalia, and her coven get to enjoy themselves delivering punishment.

Joint Joint #1 is a timely publication in these times when women are pushing forward and coming out of the dark to tell the truth about the abuse, degradation, and violence that they have faced and continue to face at the hands of (mostly) men.  In an afterword at the end of this first issue, writer Tee Franklin talks about how Jook Joint emerged from her recovery and healing from the years of hurt and pain she experienced in numerous abusive relationships.  Text pieces in Jook Joint #1 offer three phone numbers and two website addresses where abused women and men can seek help after they experience domestic and sexual violence or if they are considering suicide.

Jook Joint #1 does not offer a story so much as it presents an introduction to the world of Mahalia and her Jook Joint.  It is an introduction that glorifies in revenge against and punishment of men who plot domestic and sexual violence against women and of men whose sense of entitlement will lead them to commit wanton acts of sexual violence.  I think the second issue of Jook Joint is where the story will really begin.

Artist Alitha E. Martinez, who was brilliant in Black Panther: World of Wakanda, offers powerful illustrations and graphics in service of this taste of honeyed revenge.  Colorist Shari Chankhamma's old-school, earthy hues recall classic horror comic book coloring, like that found in the Joe Orlando-edited DC Comics titles.

I'm not sure how to describe Taylor Esposito's lettering.  It is like a musical accompaniment, conveying the threats of abusive men while capturing the sly sultriness of the warnings given to those men.  Then, Esposito's lettering blasts out the avante-garde sounds of bloody punishment.

When I was a kid, a “jook joint” was a trashy club owned or frequented by Black folks, where a jukebox filled the club with music that was intermittently interrupted by gunfire.  Jook Joint the comic book ain't trashy, but there will be blood.

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 or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Review: BINGO LOVE

BINGO LOVE (OGN)
IMAGE COMICS/Inclusive Press – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tee Franklin
ART: Jenn St-Onge
COLORS: Joy San
LETTERS: Cardinal Rae
EDITOR: Erica Schultz
COVER: Genevieve Eft
ISNB: 978-1-53430750-6; paperback (February 2018)
88pp, Color, $9.99 U.S.

Rated “T / Teen”

Bingo Love created by Tee Franklin

Bingo Love is an full-color original graphic novel written and created by Tee Franklin and drawn by Jenn St-Onge.  It is the story of two women who meet as school girls and fall in love, but are forced apart by the obligations of family and society.  Bingo Love's creative team includes colorist Joy San and letterer Cardinal Rae.

On February 10th, 1963, at a church bingo game, Hazel Marie Johnson meets the new girl in town.  To Hazel, Mari Annabelle McCray smells like cocoa butter and is a “honey glazed goddess.”  Mari also turns out to be the new student at the high school Hazel attends, and Hazel is immediately smitten with her.  It turns out that Mari is also attracted to Hazel and indicates this by delivering a kiss on Hazel's cheek.  Soon, the two are inseparable.

In the 1960s, however, society does not tolerate same-sex couples, nor do families.  Hazel and Mari are forced apart, and Hazel settles for marriage to a young air force pilot, James Aloysius Downing.  Fate, on the other hand, is not willing to let family and society have the last say in Hazel and Mari's tale of young love.

Bingo Love is both sweet and relentless.  The art by Jenn St-Onge is composed in large, puffy circles that result in characters with big heads and large facial features.  This is both sweet and cute, but St-Onge is able to convey emotions large and small and expressive and intimate.  St-Onge gives the story so much emotional resonance with her joyful compositions.  Joy San's joyful coloring makes St-Onge's illustrations leap off the page, turning this story into a dance and celebration of love.  The lettering by Cardinal Rae carries the story forward as if it were a wave determined to transport a love story across the world.

Tee Franklin's story and script is the relentless part of the creation.  Love is love.  Those meant to be will be, whether the whole damn world likes it or not.  Tee Franklin delivers a LGBTQ manifesto as a candy shoppe milkshake that is a stubborn, unstoppable taste sensation.  Hazel and Mari's love is not normal or abnormal; it simply is.  Normal and abnormal are just labels.  Love is love; beyond labels, this is Bingo Love.

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 or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, November 12, 2018

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 14, 2018

IMAGE COMICS

SEP180140    BEAUTY #25 CVR A HAUN & FILARDI (MR)    $3.99
SEP180141    BEAUTY #25 CVR B MACDONALD & FILARDI (MR)    $3.99
AUG180109    BINGO LOVE HC VOL 01 JACKPOT EDITION    $19.99
SEP180142    BIRTHRIGHT #33    $3.99
SEP180020    BITTER ROOT #1 CVR A GREENE (MR)    $3.99
SEP180021    BITTER ROOT #1 CVR B MIGNOLA (MR)    $3.99
SEP180022    BITTER ROOT #1 CVR C COWAN (MR)    $3.99
SEP180023    BITTER ROOT #1 CVR D WILLIAMS (MR)    $3.99
AUG189218    BITTER ROOT #1 CVR E VIRGIN VAR (MR)    $3.99
SEP180148    CEMETERY BEACH #3 (OF 7) (MR)    $3.99
JUL188301    CEMETERY BEACH #3 (OF 7) CVR B IMPACT VAR (MR)    $3.99
SEP180150    COYOTES #8 (MR)    $3.99
AUG180219    CYBER FORCE #7 CVR A ROJO (MR)    $3.99
JUL189076    CYBER FORCE #7 CVR B VIRGIN (MR)    $3.99
SEP180044    ELISABETH DUMN AGAINST THE DEVILS IN SUITS (ONE-SHOT)    $5.99
AUG180136    FADE OUT TP (MR)    $24.99
SEP180166    GIDEON FALLS #8 CVR A SORRENTINO & STEWART (MR)    $3.99
SEP180167    GIDEON FALLS #8 CVR B LEMIRE (MR)    $3.99
SEP180168    HEY KIDS COMICS #4 (MR)    $3.99
SEP180169    HIT-GIRL #10 CVR A ALBUQUERQUE (MR)    $3.99
SEP180170    HIT-GIRL #10 CVR B ALBUQUERQUE (MR)    $3.99
SEP180171    HIT-GIRL #10 CVR C BURNHAM (MR)    $3.99
SEP180172    INFINITE DARK #2    $3.99
SEP180173    JOOK JOINT #2 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
SEP180187    MAGE HERO DENIED #13 (OF 15)    $3.99
SEP180191    MCMLXXV #3    $3.99
AUG188892    MURDER FALCON #1 2ND PTG    $3.99
SEP180192    MURDER FALCON #2 CVR A JOHNSON & SPICER    $3.99
AUG188893    MURDER FALCON #2 CVR B HEAVY METAL VAR    $3.99
SEP180195    OBLIVION SONG BY KIRKMAN & DE FELICI #9 (MR)    $3.99
SEP180196    PROXIMA CENTAURI #6 (OF 6)    $3.99
SEP180107    RAT QUEENS DLX HC VOL 02 (MR)    $39.99
SEP180202    ROSE #14 CVR A GUARA    $3.99
SEP180203    ROSE #14 CVR B LAM    $3.99
SEP180204    ROSE #14 CVR C REIQ    $3.99
SEP180208    SKYWARD #8    $3.99
SEP180209    SLEEPLESS #9    $3.99
SEP180215    THIEF OF THIEVES #42 (MR)    $3.99
SEP180218    WEATHERMAN #6 CVR A FOX (MR)    $3.99
SEP180219    WEATHERMAN #6 CVR B MARTIN (MR)    $3.99

Monday, October 1, 2018

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 3, 2018

IMAGE COMICS

JUL180142    ANALOG CYBER DYSTOPIAN NOIR TP VOL 01 (MR)    $9.99
AUG180013    BLACKBIRD #1 CVR A BARTEL    $3.99
AUG180014    BLACKBIRD #1 CVR B STAPLES    $3.99
JUL180144    DEAD HAND TP VOL 01 COLD WAR RELICS (MR)    $16.99
AUG180018    DEAD RABBIT #1 CVR A MCCREA (MR)    $3.99
JUL188302    DIE DIE DIE #3 (MR)    $3.99
AUG180222    ECLIPSE #11    $3.99
AUG180023    ERRAND BOYS #1 (OF 5) CVR A KOUTSIS    $3.99
AUG180024    ERRAND BOYS #1 (OF 5) CVR B LARSEN    $3.99
JUL180218    ETERNAL EMPIRE TP VOL 02    $16.99
AUG180155    GRAVEDIGGERS UNION TP VOL 02 (MR)    $16.99
AUG180039    JOOK JOINT #1 (OF 5) CVR A MARTINEZ (MR)    $3.99
AUG180040    JOOK JOINT #1 (OF 5) CVR B HAWTHORNE (MR)    $3.99
AUG180246    LAST SIEGE #5 (OF 8) CVR A GREENWOOD    $3.99
AUG180247    LAST SIEGE #5 (OF 8) CVR B HESTER    $3.99
JUL180259    MAGIC ORDER #4 (OF 6) CVR A COIPEL (MR)    $3.99
JUL180260    MAGIC ORDER #4 (OF 6) CVR B COIPEL (MR)    $3.99
MAY180199    MANIFEST DESTINY TP VOL 06 (MR)    $16.99
JUL180131    ME THE PEOPLE HC    $14.99
AUG180255    NEW LIEUTENANTS OF METAL #4 (OF 4)    $3.99
AUG180261    PAPER GIRLS #25    $3.99
AUG180262    PARADISO #8 CVR A PRAMANIK & CARDONA (MR)    $3.99
AUG180263    PARADISO #8 CVR B SINGH (MR)    $3.99
AUG180270    REDLANDS #7 CVR A DEL REY (MR)    $3.99
JUL189074    REDLANDS #7 CVR B VIRGIN (MR)    $3.99
JUL180326    SPAWN #290 CVR A MATTINA    $2.99
JUL180327    SPAWN #290 CVR B MATTINA MCFARLANE    $2.99
JUL188931    SPAWN #290 CVR C MATTINA VIRGIN    $2.99
AUG180295    THIEF OF THIEVES #41 (MR)    $3.99
AUG180047    WALKING DEAD #184 CVR A ADLARD & STEWART (MR)    $3.99
AUG180048    WALKING DEAD #184 CVR B 15TH ANNV VAR SIENKIEWICZ (MR)    $3.99
AUG180194    WICKED & DIVINE TP VOL 07 MOTHERING INVENTION (MR)    $17.99


Saturday, June 30, 2018

I Reads You Juniors June 2018 - Update #46

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

RIP - From BleedingCool:  Comic book agent, David Campiti, remembers recently deceased artist, Bong Dazo ("Deadpool").

From BleedingCool:  eBay To Sell Digital Comic Books from Today

From BleedingCool:  See Lucas Turnbloom’s Harry Potter-Styled San Diego Public Library Card

RIP - From THR:  Famed and volatile speculative fiction and television writer, Harlan Ellison, has died.  He also wrote several comics books and many of his stories were adapted for comic books.

From TheBeat:  Updates from Ed Brubaker on "Kill or Be Killed" and more.

From BleedingCool:  Brian Michael Bendis says that DC Comics will promote his creator-owned comics more than Marvel did.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #166 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #166 in French.

From THR:  Tee Franklin's LGBTQ graphic novel, "Bingo Love" will return in a Vol. 2 and a new edition of Vol. 1.

From BleedingCool:  "The Trouble With Those 100 Page DC Comics From Walmart" by Rich Johnston.

From TheBeat:  Some retailers are outraged at the DC Comics-Wal-Mart exclusive deal that will see Wal-Mart exclusively carry four 100-page DC titles that will reprint stories, but also include original content.

From ComicBook:  Mike Colter, star of Marvel/Netflix's "Luke Cage," explains why Cage is not called "Power Man" in the series.

From Newsarama:  "Silk" is the latest character from the Spider-Man family that is being developed for film by Sony Pictures.

From Asahi:  "Golden Kamuy" creator, Satoru Noda, does his homework and research in depicting the Ainu ethnic group.  One of the lead characters, Asirpa, is Ainu.  "Golden Kamuy" is one of the best comic books being published today.

From BleedingCool:  Starting from the first of July, according to Bleeding Cool DC Comics and Walmart have done a deal to exclusively sell four one-hundred-page DC Comics anthology titles every month.  The comics will feature both old stories and brand-new content previously unavailable, including original Brian Micheal Bendis "Batman" and Tom King "Superman" 12-part serials.

From TCJ: Niki Smith talks about her erotic graphic novel, "Crossplay," which is set in the comics convention community.

From ComicCon:  2018 Bill Finger Awards for Excellence in Comic Book Writing have been announced.  Two influential women, Joye Murchison Kelly and Dorothy Roubicek Woolfolk, were honored.

From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books 2018 solicitations.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics rushing out to collections of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's "Superman" comic books:  "Superman: Braniac" and "Superman: Secret Origins."

From Deadline:  Mark Miller, Olivier Coipel, and Netflix's Image Comics title, "The Magic Order," is selling like hotcakes.

From THR:  Tee Franklin ("Bingo Love") talks about her upcoming socially conscious horror comic book series, "Jook Joint" (Image Comics, October 2018).

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #165 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #165 in French.

From YahooNews:  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has fired its editorial cartoonist, Rob Rogers, for being critical of President Trump.

From BleedingCool:  Stephan Frank talks about his wonderful vampire comic book series, "Silver," and launching a Kickstarter campaign to finish it.

From THR:  Marvel has announced the return of one of its "homo" and "freaking female" comic books.  "Iceman" (the home) and "The Unstoppable Wasp" (freaking female) are returning this fall.

From Polygon:  Batgirl will have a new direction, new comic book writer, and new costume.

From Crunchyroll:  "Tokyo Ghoul: re" manga ending soon.

From TheGuardian:  Mark Millar says "Netflix will take risks where a studio won't."

From Newsarama:  The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating claims that 95-year-old Stan Lee is the victim of elder abuse, related to Lee's business manager, Keya Morgan.

From Polygon:  A major DC Entertainment shake-up signals change for movies, TV, and comics

From BleedingCool:  Jim Lee and Dan DiDio got the "co" dropped from "co-publishers" and are now listed as "Publishers."

From Deadline:  Geoff Johns is leaving his job as Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of DC Entertainment (DC Comics).  Johns will move into a Warner Bros first-look producing deal where he will write movie vehicles to produce for Mad Ghost Productions.  Johns will also continue to work on existing films based on DC Comics properties.

From Vulture:  Many people are still shocked at the apparent recent suicide of celebrity chef and TV host, Anthony Bourdain.  Once upon a time, he wanted to draw comic books.

From TheBeat:  Longtime "MAD Magazines" cartoonist, Nick Meglin, has died at the age of 82, Saturday, June 2, 2018.

From SanFranChron:  A profile of 89-year-old writer, artist, cartoonist, and comic book creator, Jules Feiffer.

From AlbanyTimesUnion:  Shawn Pryor talks about the Kickstarter campaign for his comic book, "Lifted: Of Gods and Thieves."

From ANN:  The "Tokyo Ghoul: re" manga will reportedly make a big announcement on Thursday, June 14th, 2018.

From LATimes:  DC Comics relaunches its "Vertigo" imprint with a new name ("DC Vertigo") and seven new titles.

From BleedingCool:  The real Marvel Comics vs. DC Comics will happen when sales figures come out next week.

From BleedingCool:  Fabian Nicieza is writing a "World Cup" digital comic book for Marvel and ESPN.

From BleedingCool: DC Comics Advertises Metal Collection on AMC, SYFY, TBS, TNT, and TruTV

From SyFy:  Berger Books, an imprint of Dark Horse Comics, has announced a new science fiction title, "LaGuardia," written by Nnedi Okorafor and drawn by Tana Ford.

From ComicBook:  GameStop will apparently start selling comic books.

From AnimeNewsNetwork:  23 Shogakukan Manga Magazines Launch Anti-Piracy Campaign

From BleedingCool:  It's Alive is going to collect Doug Moench's "Aztez Ace" and has initiated a Kickstarter campaign to publish the project.

From GeekTyrant:  The "Batman Ninja" movie will be adapted as a manga for "Monthly Hero's Magazine."

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ComiXology Announcement:

From Newsarama:  COMIXOLOGY ORIGINALS Offers Print-On-Demand, Exclusive New Creator-Owned Titles for AMAZON PRIME

From WashPost:  ComiXology’s new move: A line of original, creator-owned comic books

From BleedingCool:  ComiXology introduces Amazon print-on-demand comics.

From BleedingCool: "ComiXology Originals" is opening June with a big announcement.

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From Otakukart:  Eden’s Zero Manga Reveals New Illustration.  New manga from the creator "Fairy Tail."