Review: CHAO CAMPUS #22

CHAOS CAMPUS: SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES No. 22
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Bernard Gita and Luis Arellano
COLORS: Russell Vincent Yu and Alex Rayn
LETTERS: Elisa M. Coletti
POST-SCRIPTING/POLISH: John P. Ward
COVER: Kevin Wallace
24pp, Color, $4.99 U.S.

Rated: Teen 13+

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies created by B. Alex Thompson

“Smart Zombies, Part 2 of 2”

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is a long-running horror-comedy and zombie apocalypse comic book series.  It is created by B. Alex Thompson and published by his company, Approbation Comics.  The series is set during a zombie invasion and follows the adventures of three members of the sorority, Epsilon Alpha Zeta Upsilon (EAZY):  ass-kickin’ Jaime Schaeffer, brainy Paige Patton, and sexy Brittany Miller.

The current story line is “Smart Zombies,” which is set at a luxury hotel where a group of scientists hide a major secret.  This story is written by B. Alex Thompson; drawn by Bernard Gita and Luis Arellano; colored by Russell Vincent Yu and Alex Rayne; and lettered by Elisa M. Coletti.

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #22 finds our intrepid trio meeting a talking zombie!  His name is Lucian and he maintained his intelligence through the process of death and zombie resurrection.  Jamie detests Lucian, but Paige is willing to hear what he has to say.  Also, the girls find that not all the scientists want them around, although one male scientist wants to... turn the page... so to speak.  Meanwhile, Lucian tests the limits of weird science and plots a new apocalypse.

It has been at least three years since I last read an issue of the main Chaos Campus series, although I did read the special issue, Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #6.  In the years since I first read an Approbation Comics title (well over a decade), I have noticed that B. Alex Thompson has become a stronger comic book writer and that has served Chaos Campus quite well.

The series, which tends to spoof just about every corner of American pop culture, still throws in a reference, here and there.  However, Chaos Campus has become a highly-polished horror comics gem.  The dialogue is sharp, and the action and drama are solidly constructed and written.  Thompson is also quite good at writing single-issue and two-issue stories.  I also think that Lucian looks to be a good, long-term adversary of our chaotic heroines.

So zombie fans should apply for admission to Chaos Campus; it is actually easy to start reading this comic book.  You can enter at practically any point in the series.

A-

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

Chaos Campus #22's ComiXology page.

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 or syndication rights and fees.

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Review: CHAOS CAMPUS: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #21

CHAOS CAMPUS: SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES No. 21
APPROBATION COMICS

STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ARTIST: Bernard Gita
COLORS: Russell Vincent Yu
LETTERS: Elisa M. Coletti
POST-SCRIPTING/POLISH: John P. Ward
COVER: Kevin Wallace
24pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (2015)

“Smart Zombies” Part One of Two

Rated “Teen 13+”

Created by B. Alex Thompson, Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is a comic book series from Approbation Comics.  Chaos Campus is a horror comedy that follows the adventures of three members of the sorority, Epsilon Alpha Zeta Upsilon (EAZY).  They are ass-kickin’ Jaime Lynn Schaeffer, brainy Paige Helena Patton, and easy-on-the-eyes slash sex-kitten Brittany Ann Miller.

On the night of the volleyball tournament between EAZY and its partner, Alpha Zeta Zeta, zombies invade the EAZY sorority house.  Jamie, Paige, and Brittany escape only to discover that zombies have taken over The City.  This buxom trio is probably humanity’s only hope of ending this zombie apocalypse.  Since their escape from the sorority, the girls have been on series of crazy adventures that sometimes resemble classic horror movie scenarios.

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #21 opens in the aftermath of the events depicted in “Attack of the Blondes.”  Now, that our heroic trio is deep into the city, they need to find supplies, survivors, and the strategic higher ground.  They find some of what they need in an imposing black tower of a building.  What they discover inside will shock, anger, and outage them... and titillate some of them.

It has been several years since I read an issue of the main Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies series.  I think the last regular issue I read was #11.  At that point, just about each issue of Chaos Campus was in some way a parody or spoof of or referenced popular American films and American pop culture.

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #21 is thoroughly invested in the serial narrative.  It gives the sense that writer/creator B. Alex Thompson has found or is finding the sweet spot of his post-apocalyptic creation.  It seems as if Chaos Campus is really going somewhere, and is not just a comic riff on genre.

Still, I must say that Thompson is quite good at comic horror, which is not easy.  Horror comedy is a trap for storytellers because they sometimes create something that is neither scary nor funny.  In Chaos Campus, the threat of the zombies is real and the girls of Epsilon Alpha Zeta Upsilon (EAZY) just wanna have fun.

A-

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


www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

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

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Review: CHAOS CAMPUS #0

CHAOS CAMPUS: SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES #0
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted in Patreon.]

WRITER/LETTERS: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ARTIST: Anita Zaramella
COLORS: Anita Zaramella
POST-SCRIPTING/POLISH: John P. Ward
COVER: Anita Zaramella
28pp, Color, $9.99 U.S.

Rated: Teen 13+

“The Keeper of Souls” created by B. Alex Thompson and Ant'Juan Avri; “Faint” and “The Stranger” are courtesy of DreamRealm Entertainment

“Sisters in Arms”

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is a horror-comedy comic book series created by B. Alex Thompson and published by Approbation Comics.  The series is set in during a zombie apocalypse and follows the adventures of three members of the sorority, Epsilon Alpha Zeta Upsilon (EAZY):  ass-kickin’ Jaime Schaeffer, brainy Paige Patton, and sexy Brittany Miller.

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies – Extra Credit is a spin-off series.  Approbation published a Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con exclusive edition of Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies – Extra Credit #6 and entitled it Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #0.  Extra Credit #6 was written by B. Alex Thompson and drawn and colored by Anita Zaramella.

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #0 (a.k.a. Extra Credit #6) finds the three heroines polishing off a zombie attack.  Jaime decides to go on a resource run for supplies where she runs into members of “The Ravagers” gang.  Jaime won't have to take on these hoods by herself, as another ass-kicking young woman happens on the scene.  She calls herself “Faint,” and she has some dark secrets.

Chaos Campus is quite good at referencing lots of pop culture.  The last issue I read prior to this one, Chaos Campus #11, summoned the film, The Matrix, 1980s girl-group, The Bangles, and even an old NBC public service advertisement.

Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #6 focuses on some other things this series does well:  the occult, Satanism, and dark magic.  Chaos Campus is one of the funniest zombie comedies that I have ever encountered, and it even pokes fun at slasher horror, which it does quite well.  As this series advances, however, it embraces more aspects of dark fantasy.

I have to give B. Alex Thompson credit.  I have always thought that Chaos Campus had the potential to offer an expansive mythology and narrative.  The hard part is actually making that potential pay off, and Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #6 shows that Thompson is indeed cashing in on what his comic book can be.

A-

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

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 or syndication rights and fees.

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Review: RESIDENT EVIL: The Marhawa Desire Volume 5

RESIDENT EVIL: THE MARHAWA DESIRE, VOL. 5
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Naoki Serizawa
CONCEPT: Capcom
TRANSLATION: Joe Yamazaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Stan!
LETTERING: John Clark
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7376-2; paperback (July 2015); Rated “M” for “Mature”
168pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

VIZ Media's publication of the seinen manga, Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire, has come to an end with the publication of the fifth volume or graphic novel in the series.  An adult horror manga, Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire, serves as a comic book prequel to the story line of CAPCOM’s bestselling video game, Resident Evil® 6.  This iteration of Resident Evil introduces the highly virulent C-virus, and the manga explores the origins of this new outbreak.

The story begins with Doug Wright.  He is a professor in the Department of Sciences and Engineering at Bennett University, and he specializes in bacteriology.  He receives a letter from Mother Gracia, headmistress of Marhawa Academy, Asia's largest and most prestigious school.  Wright, who had a past relationship with Gracia, rushes to the school, with his nephew, 20-year-old Ricky Tozawa, in tow.  Deep in the jungle, Marhawa Academy is located within a giant, self-contained and self-sufficient complex.  There, Prof. Wright and Ricky find themselves caught in a deadly and growing tragedy that is an epidemic of zombie proportions.

Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire, Vol. 5 (Chapters 33 to 39 – Final Chapter) opens as the remaining humans in the Marhawa Academy complex make their last stand against a legion of students, faculty, and staff turned zombies.  Ricky has joined a three-person team from the B.S.A.A. (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance):  Chris Redfield (team leader), Merah Biji, and Piers Nivens.

They believe that they have found a way to escape the campus, but before they do that, they must fight their way not only through zombies, but also through monsters.  The bio-organic weapon (B.O.W.), Nanan Yoshihara, swings her horrible tentacles when she isn't spewing deadly virus gas, and Bendi Bergara has undergone a horrible transformation.  Meanwhile, the Hooded Woman lurks in the background, carrying the truth behind the Marhawa Incident.

[This volume includes a “Special Epilogue.”]

Sigh.  The Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire manga has come to an end.  I want more.  No, I have never played any Resident Evil video games, nor do I play video games in general.  I have not read previous Resident Evil comics, but I am a fan of the Resident Evil live-action film franchise that began with the 2002 film, Resident Evil.  I enjoyed reading the manga more than I have enjoyed watching the films, which I have, for the most part, found entertaining.

Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire Volume 5 offers a satisfying ending, relatively speaking.  Zombie apocalyptic fiction has to break your heart for every time it gives you a good outcome.  Writer-artist Naoki Serizawa gleefully poured on the gore and violence, and he gave us some attractive characters, so that he could use some of them to break our hearts.  He put the reader right in the middle of the action.  I felt that I had to run every time the heroes did, and I felt like every page was about a fight for my life, just as the heroes were fighting for their lives.

Yeah, you might say that this is “just” a Resident Evil comic, so it can't be that good.  Well, it is just a great Resident Evil comic, and it is that good because it is classic monster comics.  Read it by flashlight, under a bed sheet, while something scratches at your window.  Fans of horror manga and zombie comics will want the VIZ Signature title, Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux (Support Leroy on Patreon)


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

Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire - B.S.A.A. on Site

I read Resident Evil, Vol. 4: The Marhawa Desire

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

I Reads You Review: AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #3

AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #3
ARCHIE COMICS – @archiecomics and @AfterlifeArchie

STORY: Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa
ART: Francesco Francavilla
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COVER: Francesco Francavilla
VARIANT COVER: Tim Seeley
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (February 2014)

Rated Teen+ for Violence and Mature Content

Escape from Riverdale:  Chapter Three – “Sleepover”

Writer Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa and artist Francesco Francavilla have taken Archie Comics to the dark side – the classic horror comics dark side – with Afterlife with Archie.  It’s the hot “zombie apocalypse” genre come to Archie Comics.

The end of Archie Andrews’ beloved hometown of Riverdale begins when Forsythe P. “Jughead” Jones shows up at the door of Sabrina (the Teenaged Witch).  Jughead is holding the mangled body of his beloved pooch, Hot Dog.  Sabrina helps her friend, but her use of forbidden magic has dire consequences for her, Jughead, and the rest of Riverdale.  Hot Dog returns from the dead and bites Jughead, and the flesh-eating fever spreads like wildfire.

Afterlife with Archie #3 finds Archie and friends finding refuge in Lodge Manor, the stately mansion home of Hiram Lodge, the father of Archie’s sometimes girlfriend, Veronica.  Mr. Lodge believes that the high-tech security his money bought him will protect everyone inside, but they cannot protect him from his memories… or bad dreams.

However, Archie is not content with staying within the safety of Lodge Manor.  He is determined to check on everyone’s parents.  Meanwhile, the surviving members of the Archie gang are enjoying the amenities of Hiram’s Lodge’s estate, without realizing that one among them is already infected.

After three issues, I can safely say that Afterlife with Archie is no fluke.  This is a genuinely good comic book.  It is also a sincerely terrifying horror comic book.  It’s like a classic scary movie, recalling George Romero, The Walking Dead, EC Comics, and other zombie horror fiction in general.

Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla come together to present a different take on the world of Archie Comics.  Yes, it is dark and thrilling, but besides the horror elements, Afterlife with Archie bears more than a passing resemblance to a television teen soap opera.  The typical “young love” of comic book romance is replaced by young love just a little more complicated.  There is desire, jealousy, want, and even (gasp) the threat of sex.  Take Afterlife with Archie for what it is – something different and exciting.

As an extra, Afterlife with Archie #3 reprints the comic book short story, “Horripilate Host” written and drawn by Dick Giordano, the late artist, editor, and DC Comics executive.  This story was originally published in the comic book series, Chilling Adventures in Sorcery (which was part of Archie Comics’ Red Circle Comics imprint), in the mid-1970s.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #2

AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #2
ARCHIE COMICS – @archiecomics and @AfterlifeArchie

STORY: Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa
ART: Francesco Francavilla
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COVER: Francesco Francavilla
VARIANT COVER: Tim Seeley
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (January 2014)

Rated Teen+ for Violence and Mature Content

Escape from Riverdale:  Chapter Two – “Dance of the Dead”

I am captivated by the surprising new Archie comics series (that I assume it is going to be a miniseries or limited series of some kind).  Entitled Afterlife with Archie, this Archie comics horror series is written by Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa and drawn by Francesco Francavilla.  Afterlife with Archie pits Archie Andrews and the other beloved Archie comics characters against a zombie horde – led by their pal, Jughead.

What may be the end of the world begins when Forsythe P. “Jughead” Jones shows up at the door of Sabrina (the Teenaged Witch).  Jughead is holding the mangled body of his beloved pooch, Hot Dog.  Sabrina helps her friend, but her use of forbidden magic has dire consequences for her, Jughead, and the rest of Riverdale.

Afterlife with Archie #2 is mostly told in flashback from Lodge Mansion.  There, Veronica Lodge tells her father, Mr. Lodge, about the terror that occurred at the annual Halloween dance and about the unfolding horror that is heading their way.  The familiar has now turned very hungry, and Mr. Lodge may have to accept Archie as he never believed he would ever have to do.

Recalling George Romero, The Walking Dead, EC Comics, and other like zombie horror fiction in general, Afterlife with Archie is the real deal.  It is really an excellent and hugely entertaining horror comic book.  Writer Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa has simply turned Archie dark, and he retains what is familiar about the characters.  I think Aquirre-Sacasa is depicting their characteristics and quirks as if they were characters in a nighttime teen soap opera, rather than as in the usual Archie stories.

Certainly, what Afterlife with Archie artist, Francesco Francavilla, is doing is creating a true horror comic book.  It may not look like Dan DeCarlo’s classic Archie, but the spirit of the classic is there, somewhere behind the mood and the dark.

As an extra, Afterlife with Archie #2 reprints the comic book short story, “…Cat!” written and drawn by the late Gray Morrow, a story originally published in Chilling Adventures in Sorcery in the mid-1970s.  Morrow also edited Chilling Adventures in Sorcery, which was part of Archie Comics’ Red Circle Comics imprint.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #1

AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #1
ARCHIE COMICS – @archiecomics

STORY: Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa
ART: Francesco Francavilla
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COVER: Francesco Francavilla
VARIANT COVERS: Francesco Francavilla, Tim Seeley, Andrew Pepoy
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Rated Teen+ for Violence and Mature Content

There is a rather surprising new Archie comics series, so surprising that I assume it is going to be a miniseries or limited series of some kind.  Written by Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa and drawn by Francesco Francavilla, Afterlife with Archie pits the beloved Archie comics characters against a zombie horde – led by their pal, Jughead.

Afterlife with Archie #l begins with how the world will end.  When Jughead shows up at her door, holding the mangled body of his beloved pooch, Hot Dog, Sabrina (the Teenaged Witch) wants to help him.  But her forbidden magic will have dire consequences for her, Jughead, and the rest of Riverdale.  Meanwhile, Betty and Veronica squabble over which of them Archie will escort to the big Halloween dance.  At the same time, Archie is trying to figure out why Reggie is down-in-the-dumps.

When I think of an Archie comic book, I think of a kind of pop culture firmly rooted in the first two decades of post-World War II America.  An Archie comic book is also something rooted in sameness – same characters, familiar themes, constancy in plots, etc.  I also see it as Americana, possessing a timeless quality; no matter where and when you are, this is still Archie.  For me, these are the impressions, ideas, structures, and especially that delightful timeless quality that also permeate Afterlife with Archie #l.

Although the influences are obvious, Afterlife with Archie isn’t necessarily George Romero, The Walking Dead, EC Comics, or like zombie horror fiction in general.  It is like a ghost story told around a campfire – scary, but age appropriate even for grade school age children.  It’s scary, ominous, and creepy, but fun and exciting to read.

Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla form an excellent creative team.  Aquirre-Sacasa writes an Archie comic book that is true to the characters, but puts them in the horror genre that reads as genuine.  Francavilla has the ability to match pulp art with high-end graphic design to create visually striking comics, which is what makes him one of the best comic book artists working today.  In Afterlife with Archie, Francavilla eschews the splashy graphics of his Black Beetle comics for straight-forward, moody storytelling that recalls early Mike Mignola Hellboy.

This is good stuff.  It is an Archie comic book that is as good as any dark fantasy and horror comics being published by Vertigo or Dark Horse Comics.  I want to live a long Afterlife with Archie, so more please.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

I Reads You Review: IMAGE FIRSTS: The Walking Dead #1

IMAGE FIRSTS: THE WALKING DEAD #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

STORY/LETTERS: Robert Kirkman
ART/COVER: Tony Moore
GRAY TONES: Tony Moore with Cliff Rathburn
28pp, B&W, $1.00 U.S. (December 2012)

Of course, dear comic book readers, you know that The Walking Dead is an ongoing comic book series published by Image Comics.  Created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, this black and white horror comic book chronicles the life and struggles of Rick Grimes and other survivors of a zombie apocalypse.

When The Walking Dead #1 (October 2003) debuted 10 years ago, I wonder if any readers or even the creators could imagine that it would become the multi-media hit it became.  That includes a comic book series that has run 116 issues (as of this writing), multiple bestselling trade paperback and hardcover collections, a worldwide hit television series (on cable net AMC), videogames, novels, etc.

I remember coming across pre-release information about The Walking Dead #1 before its debut, but I never bought it, nor did I ever read the comic book.  Image Comics has been reprinting #1 issues of the most popular titles it has published in a series called “Image Firsts.”  During a recent visit to a comic book shop, I found Image Firsts: The Walking Dead #1.  Well, here was my chance to finally read The Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead #1 introduces Rick Grimes, a police officer in Cynthiana, Kentucky.  Grimes is shot in the line of duty during a standoff.  Later, he awakens in a hospital, finding himself alone… but not really alone.  After wandering around, he meets a Black man, Morgan Jones, and his young son, Duane.  Morgan has some strange things to tell Rick.  What’s up with those things walking around?

Although by no means a bad or poor quality comic book, The Walking Dead #1 does not seem like something that would start a phenomenon, at least by my reading.  There is next to nothing in this first issue that would have made me come back for a second issue.  After reading it, I’m only vaguely intrigued.  I imagine, that back in 2003, if I had the cash or received free copies, I would have kept reading.  If things were tight, however…

I like artist Tony Moore’s clean compositions, but, once again, I’m not overwhelmed with feelings of fanboy worship.  On the other hand, I am strangely attracted to the gray tones on the art.  Every time I have ever thumbed through Walking Dead comics, my eye has been drawn to the gray tones.

Now, I’ll search out some of the weekly reprints of The Walking Dead that came out a few years ago.  At a $1 cover price, the Image Firsts are a bargain.  The interior paper is white enamel, and not cheap newsprint destined to turn ugly brown in a few weeks (Hello, DC “Showcase” and Marvel “Essentials”).  I think I’ll look for more Image Firsts.

B

Review by Leroy Douresseaux


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

IDW from Diamond Distributors for April 20 2011

IDW PUBLISHING


AUG100382 ARCHIE SEVEN DECADES OF AMERICAS FAVORITE TEENAGERS HC $49.99

FEB110369 BLOOD STAINED SWORD TP $17.99

JAN110480 CLASSIC GI JOE TP VOL 11 $24.99

FEB110354 DOCTOR WHO FAIRYTALE LIFE #1 (OF 4) $3.99

JAN110538 DRAFTED TP ESSENTIAL EDITION $24.99

FEB110353 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CLASSICS TP VOL 01 $19.99

FEB110351 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS DARK SUN #4 (OF 5) $3.99

FEB110348 DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS #6 $3.99

FEB110300 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #165 $3.99

JAN110531 JERICHO SEASON 3 #5 (OF 6) $3.99

FEB110361 KILL SHAKESPEARE #10 (OF 12) $3.99

FEB110367 SILENT HILL PAST LIFE TP $17.99

JAN110500 SUICIDE GIRLS #1 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99

FEB110313 TRANSFORMERS HEART OF DARKNESS #2 $3.99

FEB110372 WINTERWORLD TP (NOTE PRICE) $17.99

FEB110315 ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS UNDERCITY #1 (OF 4) $3.99

Grand Guignol Orchestra Tragedie Lyrique

I read Grand Guignol Orchestra Vol. 2

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps).

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for January 26 2011

IDW PUBLISHING

NOV100325 ANGEL #41 $3.99

NOV100327 ANGEL ILLYRIA #3 $3.99

NOV100329 ANGEL THE JOHN BYRNE COLLECTION HC $24.99

NOV100351 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #162 $3.99

NOV100312 INFESTATION #1 $3.99

NOV100401 LAST UNICORN HC $24.99

NOV100399 OFF ROAD GN $17.99

DEC100358 TRANSFORMERS ALL HAIL MEGATRON TP VOL 01 $19.99

DEC100359 TRANSFORMERS ALL HAIL MEGATRON TP VOL 02 $19.99

DEC100360 TRANSFORMERS ALL HAIL MEGATRON TP VOL 03 $19.99

NOV100369 TRANSFORMERS PRIME #4 $3.99

NOV100323 ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS 100 PENNY PRESS ED $1.00

I Reads You Review: CHAOS CAMPUS: SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES 11

CHAOS CAMPUS SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES No. 11

APPROBATION COMICS

WRITER/LETTERS: B. Alex Thompson

ARTIST: Kewber Baal
COLORS: Schimerys Baal
POST-SCRIPTING/POLISH: S.W.O.L. Unlimited
COVER: Quinton Bedwell
28pp, Color, $4.99

“The Learning Curve”

Created by B. Alex Thompson, Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is a comic book series from Approbation Comics. Chaos Campus is a horror comedy that follows the adventures of three members of the sorority, Epsilon Alpha Zeta Upsilon (EAZY): ass-kickin’ Jaime Schaeffer, brainy Paige Patton, and easy-on-the-eyes Brittany Miller.

On the night of the volleyball tournament between EAZY and its partner, Alpha Zeta Zeta, zombies invade the EAZY sorority house. Jamie, Paige, and Brittany escape only to discover that zombies have taken over The City. This buxom trio is probably humanity’s only hope of ending a zombie apocalypse. Since their escape from the sorority, the girls have been on a series of crazy adventures that strangely resemble classic horror movie scenarios.

After escaping, muscular slasher Kurtis Kasey (created by Phantom Avri) and the feral human/zombie hybrid, Patient X, Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #11 reveals that the girls really haven’t escaped them. Now, they are separated, and Paige finds herself in the clutches of Violet Grimm a.k.a. Dogwitch. This Dogwitch may not be an adversary, however, because she has some things to teach Paige.

Referencing lots of pop culture, from The Matrix to The Bangles this time, Chaos Campus #11 is, as usual, a fun read. What makes it a little better are the revelations this issue offers into Paige Helena Patton and her unique powers and history. There is even a funny reference to an old NBC public service ad.

This issue also allows readers the chance to see more of Kewber Baal, whose penciling and inking skills continue to grow. There are some surprisingly, skillful compositions on several pages. The figure drawing, character design, and costumes are drawn at a level that is as good as what is in some Marvel and DC Comics titles.

A-

http://www.approbationcomics.com/

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Gay Super Team Takes on Gay Celebrity Zombies

CELEBRITY GAY ZOMBIES VS WORLD’S FIRST ALL-GAY SUPERHERO TEAM!

Spandex, the world’s first all-gay superhero team and stars of their own award-nominated comic, are back! And in the brand new issue, things take an unexpected turn, when the team face a whole horde of …celebrity gay zombies!

Spandex Comic creator Martin Eden comments: “I was doodling one of the pages and I thought it would be fun to cram in as many famous gay people as possible – as zombies! It’s a bit of a who’s-who of LGBT people in the media – they just look a bit scarier…”

The new Spandex issue, entitled ‘…If you were the last person on Earth’, is a one-shot sci-fi/horror story, where the world’s population is enslaved and turned into the living dead by an alien creature called Nadir.

It may sound like a bizarre premise but, all quirkiness aside, Eden is also looking at more serious issues with this story. “On one hand, the story is fun and over-the-top, but on the other hand, it explores mental health issues. One in four people are affected by depression, anxiety, and similar problems, and it is becoming an increasing issue in the LGBT community. The storyline explores this.” Eden will offer a list of helpful resources with this new issue.

Since its launch in November 2009, Spandex comic has earned an Eagle Award nomination for Best British Comic, and gained national radio, television and newspaper coverage, including appearances in The Sun and The Metro.

This new issue hits comic shops on 20 November, with a special launch event at The Leeds Thought Bubble Convention this weekend. A teaser trailer to promote this new issue is available on YouTube.

Spandex comic issue #3: On-sale 20 November

For more information on how to purchase Spandex comic, visit: http://www.spandexcomic.com/

Moonstone Books Has "Zombies vs Cheerleaders" in June

JUNE 2010 release:


ZOMBIES vs CHEERLEADERS #1
(W) Steven L. Frank
(A) Benjamin Glendenning
(C) Jason Worthington, Justin Ridge
32pgs, color, $3.99

Morbid or funny, and sometimes morbidly funny, top talent bring eclectic tales of Zombies vs Cheerleaders. Based on the hit trading card series from 5FINITY Productions, read the exciting stories of the two things everyone loves: zombies and cheerleaders!

Writer Steven L. Frank teams with artists Benjamin Glendenning, Jessica Hickman, Frankie B Washington, and David Namisato in this rip roaring first issue! Variant covers by Jason Worthington, Justin Ridge, & Jessica Hickman. The back cover is sketch friendly!

**Retailer Incentive: Buy4 or more copies get one copy free!** (Ridge = 50%, Hickman =20%, Worthington = 20%, Black = 10%)

I Reads You Review: CHAOS CAMPUS SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES #9

CHAOS CAMPUS: SORORITY GIRLS VS. ZOMBIES #9

APPROBATION COMICS

WRITER/LETTERS: B. Alex Thompson
ARTIST/COLORS/COVER: Cajo Majado
24pp, Color, $4.99

“Nihilism Cubed”

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is a comic book series from Approbation Comics and creator B. Alex Thompson. A comic horror series, Chaos Campus follows the adventures of three members of the sorority, Epsilon Alpha Zeta Upsilon (EAZY): Jaime Schaeffer, Paige Patton, and Brittany Miller.

On the night of the volleyball tournament between EAZY and its partner, Alpha Zeta Zeta, zombies invade the EAZY sorority house. The girls escape, only to discover that zombies have taken over The City, and the trio is probably humanity’s only hope to end this zombie apocalypse. Since their escape from the sorority, the girls have been on one crazy adventure after another, fighting dark forces that are strangely similar to horror movie scenarios (The Evil Dead, Hellraiser).

As Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #9 opens, the girls have escaped the clutches of their old buddy, muscular slasher Kurtis Kasey, and the demon named Winky the One-Eyed Monster. Now, they find themselves transported to a dimension where there are more zombies, and the only way to leave is to hop from one dimension to another – each one resembling the scenario of a classic arcade game. And waiting for them is the ultimate game with the demon Nihilism.

Although he is an independent publisher running what can basically be described as small press, Thompson has been quite resourceful in finding artists who are in sync with his comic book storytelling visions. Finding Cajo Majado is a coup. Majado has mastered composition, design, and storytelling to the extent that he is ready to draw for DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Majado’s style, a kind of melding of Kevin Nowlan and Jason Pearson, is wiry and rubbery enough to strike the right tone for “Nihilism Cubed’s” flights of fancy and shifting settings.

Thompson has produced another winning issue of Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies and also found another winning artist.

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