Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 17, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

APR150625     ALEX + ADA #15     $3.99
APR150513     ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE #1     $2.99
APR150582     DRIFTER TP VOL 01 OUT OF THE NIGHT (MR)     $9.99
APR150504     EMPTY ZONE #1 (MR)     $3.50
APR150586     GHOSTED TP VOL 04 GHOST TOWN (MR)     $12.99
APR150641     GOD HATES ASTRONAUTS #9 CVR A BROWNE (MR)     $3.50
APR150642     GOD HATES ASTRONAUTS #9 CVR B STEGMAN (MR)     $3.50
MAR150572     LAZARUS #17 (MR)     $3.50
APR150539     LOW #7 CVR A TOCCHINI (MR)     $3.50
APR150540     LOW #7 CVR B ALBUQUERQUE (MR)     $3.50
JAN150693     MANIFEST DESTINY #15 (MR)     $2.99
APR150547     REVIVAL #30 (MR)     $3.99
APR150667     RUNLOVEKILL #3 (MR)     $2.99
APR150671     SECRET IDENTITIES #5     $3.50
APR150569     SOUTHERN BASTARDS #9 CVR A LATOUR (MR)     $3.50
APR150570     SOUTHERN BASTARDS #9 CVR B MOORE (MR)     $3.50
MAR150602     STRAY BULLETS SUNSHINE & ROSES #5 (MR)     $3.50
FEB150638     SURFACE #3 (MR)     $3.50
APR150508     TALES OF HONOR BRED TO KILL #1 CVR A SEJIC     $3.99
APR150509     TALES OF HONOR BRED TO KILL #1 CVR B EKEDAL     $3.99
FEB150639     TECH JACKET #10     $2.99
APR150682     TREES #10 (MR)     $2.99
APR150683     VALHALLA MAD #2     $3.50

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for June 17, 2015

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

APR151249     ADVENTURE TIME BANANA GUARD ACADEMY TP VOL 01     $19.99
MAR151085     AMAZING WORLD OF GUMBALL TP VOL 01     $14.99
MAR151505     AQUILA #3     $3.99
APR151051     BETTY & VERONICA #276 REG CVR     $3.99
MAR150835     BEYOND THE WESTERN DEEP GN     $9.99
APR151757     BLOODSHOT REBORN #3 CVR A SUAYAN (NEXT)     $3.99
APR151758     BLOODSHOT REBORN #3 CVR B LAROSA (NEXT)     $3.99
MAR151526     BRAIN CAMP GN     $9.99
APR151213     BURNING FIELDS #5     $3.99
APR151545     CHILD OF THE STORM HC (MR)     $34.95
FEB151136     CLOCKWORK ANGELS TP     $19.99
FEB150911     CLOVER HONEY 20TH ANNIVERSARY ED GN (MR)     $14.95
APR151507     COMPLETE CRUMB COMICS TP VOL 16 1980S MORE STRUGGLE     $19.99
JAN151442     COMPLETE EIGHTBALL HC BOX SET ISSUES 1 - 18 (MR)     $119.99
FEB151419     COMPLETE PEANUTS HC VOL 23 1995-1996     $29.99
MAR150894     DARKHAM VALE GN     $24.95
NOV141425     DF HAWKEYE VS DEADPOOL #1 DF EXC BLOOD NICIEZA SGN     PI
FEB151400     DF STAR WARS #1 M&M EXCL DORMAN CVR     $10.00
APR151551     DISNEY INSIDE OUT CINESTORY     $14.99
APR158124     DIVINITY #1 5TH PTG     $3.99
MAR151537     DOCTOR WHO 11TH #13 REG FRASER     $3.99
MAR151538     DOCTOR WHO 11TH #13 SUBSCRIPTION PHOTO     $3.99
FEB151603     DOCTOR WHO 9TH #2 REG ZHANG     $3.99
FEB151604     DOCTOR WHO 9TH #2 SUBSCRIPTION PHOTO     $3.99
FEB151546     DOCTOR WHO TP THE GOOD SOLDIER     $19.99
APR151825     DOGS GN VOL 10 (MR)     $12.99
APR151602     DUNGEON MONSTRES GN VOL 05 MY SON THE KILLER     $14.99
MAR151350     EC GRAHAM INGELS GRAVE BUSINESS & OTHER STORIES HC     $29.99
APR151534     EDEN GN VOL 01     $10.95
NOV141671     EMMA MANGA CLASSICS HC     $24.99
APR151196     ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK #7 MAIN CVR     $3.99
APR151078     FATHOM BLUE #1 DIRECT MARKET CVR A     $3.99
APR151079     FATHOM BLUE #1 DIRECT MARKET CVR B     $3.99
MAR150832     FEMFORCE #171     $9.95
APR151177     FICTION #1     $3.99
APR151804     FRAGMENTS OF HORROR HC JUNJI ITO (MR)     $17.99
MAR151515     FREEZING OMNIBUS GN VOL 01 (MR)     $19.99
APR151875     GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #111 MAD HATTER A CVR CHEN (MR)     $3.99
APR151876     GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #111 MAD HATTER B CVR QUALANO (MR)     $3.99
APR151877     GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #111 MAD HATTER C CVR MYCHAELS (MR)     $3.99
APR151864     GFT RED RIDING HOOD 10TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #2 A CVR FINCH     $5.99
APR151865     GFT RED RIDING HOOD 10TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #2 B CVR CAFARO     $5.99
APR151866     GFT RED RIDING HOOD 10TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #2 C CVR MEGURO     $5.99
APR151867     GFT RED RIDING HOOD 10TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #2 D CVR KROME     $5.99
APR151234     GIANT DAYS #4     $3.99
MAR151517     HAGANAI I DONT HAVE MANY FRIENDS GN VOL 11 (MR)     $12.99
APR151214     HEXED #11     $3.99
APR151343     JIM BUTCHER DRESDEN FILES DOWN TOWN #5     $3.99
APR151397     JUSTICE INC AVENGER #1 RARE ROSS VIRGIN ED     $50.00
APR151621     KAIJUMAX #3     $3.99
FEB151292     KING JUNGLE JIM #4     $3.99
DEC141348     KING MANDRAKE MAGICIAN #2     $3.99
APR151555     KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #221     $5.99
MAR151277     LEGENDERRY RED SONJA #4 RARE DAVILA VIRGIN     $50.00
APR151404     LEGENDERRY VAMPIRELLA #5 DAVILA VIRGIN     $50.00
APR151625     LETTER 44 #17     $3.99
FEB151584     LOXLEYS AND CONFEDERATION HC     $19.99
APR151230     LUMBERJANES #15     $3.99
APR151803     MASTER KEATON GN VOL 03     $19.99
MAR158483     MAYDAY #1 2ND PTG (MR)     $3.99
APR150986     ME LIKES YOU VERY MUCH GN (MR)     $14.00
APR151060     MEGA MAN #50 SPAZ WRAPAROUND REG CVR     $4.99
APR151057     MEGA MAN WORLDS UNITE BATTLES #1 REG CVR     $3.99
APR151372     MERCY THOMPSON HOPCROSS JILLY HC     $24.99
APR151373     MERCY THOMPSON HOPCROSS JILLY HC BRIGGS SGN     $39.99
APR150982     METAPHASE GN     $9.99
APR151723     MINIONS #1     $3.99
APR151232     MUNCHKIN #6     $3.99
MAR151519     NURSE HITOMIS MONSTER INFIRMARY GN VOL 02 (MR)     $12.99
APR151190     OH KILLSTRIKE #2     $3.99
APR151829     ONE PIECE 3IN1 TP VOL 12     $14.99
APR151367     PATHFINDER ORIGINS #5 CVR A CICHON MAIN     $4.99
APR151740     PATRIOT-1 GN VOL 01     $24.99
MAR151420     POET ANDERSON DREAM WALKER #2 (MR)     $3.99
APR150962     PRINCELESS BE YOURSELF #1     $3.99
APR151374     PS BLACKCROSS #4 CVR A LOTAY MAIN     $3.99
MAR151163     RAVENOUS #2 REG CVR REILLY (MR)     $3.99
MAR151400     REDHAND DLX HC (MR)     $34.95
APR151619     RICK & MORTY #3     $3.99
APR150955     ROCK & ROLL BIOGRAPHIES FAITH NO MORE MR BUNGLE     $3.50
JAN151559     ROY THOMAS PRESENTS BRIEFER FRANKENSTEIN HC 1952-1954     $47.99
MAR151497     SAN HANNIBAL TP     $14.99
MAR151520     SERVAMP GN VOL 02     $12.99
APR151170     SIMPSONS COMICS #221     $2.99
APR151206     SONS OF ANARCHY #22 (MR)     $3.99
APR151207     SONS OF ANARCHY TP VOL 03 (MR)     $14.99
MAR151024     SOUL STEALER GN COLL ED (MR)     $59.99
MAR151021     SPACE RIDERS #3 (MR)     $3.99
APR151174     SPONGEBOB COMICS ANNUAL GIANT SWIMTACULAR #3     $4.99
APR151629     STUMPTOWN V3 #6     $3.99
FEB151449     SUMMIT OF GODS GN VOL 05     $25.00
APR151399     SWORDS OF SORROW #1 RARE LUPACCHINO VIRGIN     $50.00
APR151400     SWORDS OF SORROW #2 RARE LUPACCHINO VIRGIN     $50.00
APR151329     SWORDS OF SORROW THORIS ADLER #1     $3.99
MAR151147     TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #92 DLX ED (MR)     $19.99
FEB151620     THIRD TESTAMENT HC VOL 04 DAY OF THE RAVEN     $18.99
APR151799     TOKYO GHOUL GN VOL 01     $12.99
MAR151424     TREASURY 20TH CENTURY MURDER GN VOL 04 SACCO & VANZETTI     $9.99
APR151782     X-O MANOWAR #37 CVR A OVERLAY SEGOVIA     $3.99
APR151783     X-O MANOWAR #37 CVR B 25TH ANNV SANDOVAL     $3.99
APR151561     XXXHOLIC OMNIBUS TP VOL 06     $14.99
APR151155     YOURE GOLDEN CHARLIE BROWN 65 YEARS OF PEANUTS TP     $16.00
APR150972     ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #12 MAIN CVR (MR)     $3.99

MAGAZINES
MAR151502     2000 AD PACK MAY 2015     $21.40
FEB151862     ALTER EGO #133     $8.95
MAR151789     BACK ISSUE #81     $9.95
APR152036     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1461     PI
APR152038     COMIC SHOP NEWS SUMMER 2015 PREVIEW     PI
MAR158177     DOCTOR WHO ADVENTURES MAGAZINE #2     $7.99
MAR151794     DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #487     $9.99
APR152028     ILLUSTRATORS MAGAZINE #10     $24.99
MAR151503     JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #360     $12.40
APR152057     LOCUS #653     $7.50
APR151728     MONSTER HIGH MAGAZINE #14     $4.99
MAR151800     SCREAM MAGAZINE #30 (MR)     $8.99
DEC141922     SKETCH MAGAZINE #45     $6.95
APR152058     STAR WARS INSIDER #158 NEWSSTAND ED     $7.99
APR152059     STAR WARS INSIDER #158 PX ED     $7.99

BOOKS
APR151492     ANNA BANANA & CHOCOLATE EXPLOSION YR GN     $15.99
APR151915     ANT-MAN ZOMBIE REPELLENT MIGHTY MARVEL CHAPTER BOOK     $5.99
DEC141505     COLLECTED POEMS HC THEROUX     $39.99
APR151821     GENE MAPPER SC NOVEL     $14.99
APR151905     HEAVENLY BODIES ART OF BRUCE COLERO HC (MR)     $24.95
APR151939     LEGO NINJAGO SECRET WORLD OF NINJA HC     $16.99
MAR151736     MILES TAYLOR & GOLDEN CAPE YA NOVEL ATTACK OF ALIEN HORDE     $16.99
APR151947     SECRETS OF COSPLAY SC     $39.95
APR151903     SKETCHBOOK LE ROUX #1 (MR)     $30.00
APR151904     SKETCHBOOK YOANN #1     $30.00
FEB151599     STERANKOS HISTORY OF COMICS VOL 02     $15.00
MAR152624     WARHAMMER IMPERIAL CREED SC     $14.00

My Love Story: Ai Wants You

I read My Love Story!!, Vol. 4

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

I Reads You Review: SECRET WARS #1

SECRET WARS #1 (OF 8)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Jonathan Hickman
ARTIST: Esad Ribic
COLORS: Ive Svorcina
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Alex Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Simone Bianchi with Simone Peruzzi; Jim Cheung with Justin Ponsor; John Tyler Christopher; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts; Butch Guice with Andy Troy; Esad Ribic; Skottie Young; Chip Zdarsky
56pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2015)

Part 1: “End Times”

Almost four years ago, DC Comics re-launched its comic books line, an event called “The New 52.”  That's over, already.  Marvel Comics did semi-relaunches, under the banner “All-New.”  Well, now Marvel is going all in this fall when every comic book restarts with a #1 issue, in addition to the apparent debut of some new titles.

DC Comics heralded “The New 52,” with a five-issue miniseries and publishing event entitled “Flashpoint.”  Marvel's event herald is “Secret Wars.”  Yes, indeed, everything old is remade again, and Marvel's notorious 1984 twelve-issue comic book miniseries, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars get a portion of its title re-purposed.  Worlds, universes, and even characters die in the eight-issue miniseries, Secret Wars, written by Jonathan Hickman, drawn by Esad Ribic, colored by Ive Svorcina, and lettered by Chris Eliopoulos, with painted covers by Alex Ross.

Secret Wars #1 (“End Times”) opens with Doctor Doom, Doctor Strange, and Molecule Man facing... “Beyond.”  The multiverse is dying, and there are only two universes left.  One is the universe of Earth-1610 (the Ultimate Universe), and the other is the universe of Earth-616 (the Marvel Universe).  One is invading the other; super-powered types will battle.  Super-powered types will die, and so will a universe... or two.

Reading Secret Wars #1 is only half as painful as reading Avengers & X-Men: Axis #1 was for me.  Secret Wars does have its moments in which I genuinely cared about the peril faced by the characters, at least some of them.  What I genuinely love about Secret Wars #1 is the beautiful art by Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina.

I have always admired Ribic, even when he replaced my beloved Steve Rude on X-Men: Children of the Atom (way back in the 1990s).  Here, Ribic and Svorcina deliver some potent, striking images, and it is their storytelling that really makes this graphic narrative work, more so than Hickman's script.  Hickman puts a snide remark in Rocket Raccoon's mouth about those comic book from decades ago that had a one-dollar cover price.  Yeah, some did suck, but you usually got a complete story in a single issue.  Let's see current comics superstar Jonathan Hickman pull that off.

B+

[This book includes a preview of The Uncanny Inhumans #0” by Charles Soule, Steve McNiven, Jay Leisten, Justin Ponsor, and VC's Clayton Cowles.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux; support on Patreon.


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

#IReadsYou Review: BLACK LAGOON Volume 10

BLACK LAGOON, VOL. 10
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Rei Hiroe
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Joe Yamazaki
LETTERS: John Hunt, Primary Graphix
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7772-2; paperback (April 2015); Rated “M” for “Mature”
192pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 U.K.

The baddest mercenaries on the high seas of Southeast Asia sail aboard the “Black Lagoon,” a modified, World War II torpedo boat.  Prowling the waters off the coast of Southeast Asia is a small crew of four.  There is Vietnam vet, Dutch the Boss, and Benny the Mechanic, who handles the boat’s complicated high tech electronics.  Revy Two Hand is the ultra-lethal, gunslinger, and Rock, the corporate crony formerly known as Rokuro Okajima, just ended up part of the crew.  Through Dutch’s company, Lagoon Traders, this quartet operates a maritime courier service out of Roanapur, Thailand, a dangerous city rotten with military, ex-military, gangsters, drug dealers, etc.

Black Lagoon, Vol. 10 has a singular focus on Chapter 77: The Wired Red Wild Card.  Benny's lascivious girlfriend, Jane, arrives in town with naughty plans to make love to Benny... and sometimes to rape him.  The tech-savvy Jane, who leads an international counterfeiting group, however, has even darker plans for her latest recruit, Feng Yifei, a Chinese spy.

The plan is for Feng to hack into Reinbach A.G., a German electronics manufacturer, in order to steal the avionics data the company is developing.  Jane's real motive is to blackmail the Chinese government, an act which leaves, Feng, who is enlisted in the Chinese military, as the scapegoat.  Now, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has hired men to kill Feng.  Some of the crew of the Black Lagoon are sympathetic, but they would rather not bring Feng's trouble on themselves.  What will she do?

I think the last time the Black Lagoon manga was published in North America was in 2010, when VIZ Media published Vol. 9.  In an afterword published in Black Lagoon Volume 10, series creator, Rei Hiroe, seems determined to make his readers understand two things.  He has been working on the series during the five years between Vols. 9 and 10, and he was not on hiatus, no matter how many people say he was.

He doesn't need to explain anything to me, at least.  I did miss Black Lagoon and often wondered what happened to the series.  I love it.  It's the comic book that The Punisher should be like, although DC Comic's recently launched Deathstroke series (2014) reminds me of Black Lagoon.  While Vol. 9 was a shoot 'em up fest, Vol. 10 is short on the kind of explosive gun battles that have come to define this series, although there are a few ballets of bullets.

In this chapter, Hiroe takes a deeper look at the personalities and philosophies of Revy and Rock, particularly from the standpoint of how each views getting involved in other people's affairs.  I think this is a way of encouraging the readers to be invested in the crew of the Black Lagoon, and it worked on me.  I suddenly find myself drawn to Revy as an intriguing mystery girl and not simply as a cool bitch with two smoking guns.

A-
7.5 out of 10

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


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

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

Read Webcomic Grumble: Chapter Two - Page 8

Grumble Chapter Two, Page 8 is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbletwopage008.html

NOTE:  Last year, I printed some promotional copies of Grumble: Chapter One through a POD printer.  I will sign and number a copy of this "rare" comic book for $5 post paid, which you can purchase here or http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/p/i-reads-shopping.html

I am also on Patreon.

Vagabond: Nagaoka's Deal

I read Vagabond, Vol. 37

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