Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for April 5, 2017

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

FEB172116    7TH GARDEN GN VOL 04 (MR)    $9.99
FEB171363    ADVENTURE TIME #63 CVR A PAROLINE & LAMB    $3.99
FEB171364    ADVENTURE TIME #63 SUBSCRIPTION NAUJOKAITIS CVR    $3.99
FEB172088    AJIN GN VOL 09 DEMI HUMAN    $12.95
FEB171240    AMELIA RULES TP VOL 01 WHOLE WORLDS CRAZY NEW PTG    $12.99
FEB171245    AMELIA RULES TP VOL 06 TRUE THINGS NEW PTG    $11.99
FEB171246    AMELIA RULES TP VOL 07 MEANING OF LIFE NEW PTG    $11.99
FEB171247    AMELIA RULES TP VOL 08 HER PERMANENT RECORD NEW PTG    $11.99
FEB171289    AMORY WARS GOOD APOLLO #1 (OF 12) (MR)    $3.99
JAN171328    ARCHIE 75TH ANNIV DIGEST #8    $6.99
JAN171329    ARCHIE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #277    $4.99
FEB171214    ARCHIE FUNHOUSE SPRING ANNUAL DIGEST #26    $5.99
JAN171331    ARCHIE GIANT COMICS MEDLEY TP    $7.99
FEB172094    ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM GN VOL 15    $9.99
FEB172118    BLACK CLOVER GN VOL 06    $9.99
FEB171034    BLUE HOUR #5    $3.99
FEB172092    BORUTO GN VOL 01 NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS    $9.99
FEB171347    BRAVE CHEF BRIANNA #2    $3.99
NOV161094    BROKEN MOON LEGENDS O/T DEEP #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
NOV161080    CAPTAIN KID #5    $3.99
FEB172119    CASE CLOSED GN VOL 62    $9.99
FEB171776    CICI A FAIRYS TALE GN PERFECT VIEW    $7.99
FEB172080    COLOSSI #1    $3.99
JAN172222    COURIER #1 (OF 5) CVR A JOHNSON    $3.99
JAN172223    COURIER #1 (OF 5) CVR B ATKINS    $3.99
JAN172224    COURIER #1 (OF 5) CVR C SPAY    $3.99
JAN172225    COURIER #1 (OF 5) CVR D OTERO    $3.99
DEC161125    CRYPT OF HORROR #32    $29.95
SEP161552    DAMSELS TP VOL 01    $19.99
FEB171939    DARK SOULS TALES OF EMBER #1 (OF 2) BLANK SKETCH VAR (MR)    $3.99
FEB171934    DARK SOULS TALES OF EMBER #1 (OF 2) CVR A WORM (MR)    $3.99
FEB171935    DARK SOULS TALES OF EMBER #1 (OF 2) CVR B WALSH (MR)    $3.99
FEB171936    DARK SOULS TALES OF EMBER #1 (OF 2) CVR C LISTRANI (MR)    $3.99
FEB171937    DARK SOULS TALES OF EMBER #1 (OF 2) CVR D SERRA (MR)    $3.99
FEB171938    DARK SOULS TALES OF EMBER #1 (OF 2) CVR E PERCIVAL (MR)    $3.99
JAN171249    DAUGHTERS OF THE DARK ORACLE #1 (OF 5) BLOODBATH VAR (MR)    $3.99
FEB172112    DEMON PRINCE OF MOMOCHI HOUSE GN VOL 08    $9.99
NOV161531    DF BATMAN 66 MEETS WONDER WOMAN 77 #1 PARKER SGN    $19.77
OCT141456    DF ROCHE LIMIT #1 MORECI SGN    $19.99
FEB171908    DOCTOR WHO GHOST STORIES #1 (OF 4) BLANK SKETCH VAR    $3.99
FEB171903    DOCTOR WHO GHOST STORIES #1 (OF 4) CVR A LACLAUSTRA    $3.99
FEB171904    DOCTOR WHO GHOST STORIES #1 (OF 4) CVR B PHOTO    $3.99
FEB171905    DOCTOR WHO GHOST STORIES #1 (OF 4) CVR C MYERS    $3.99
FEB171906    DOCTOR WHO GHOST STORIES #1 (OF 4) CVR D FUSO    $3.99
FEB171907    DOCTOR WHO GHOST STORIES #1 (OF 4) CVR E GUERRERO    $3.99
FEB171092    ELEANOR & THE EGRET #1    $3.99
FEB172064    FAITH (ONGOING) #10 CVR A KANO    $3.99
FEB172065    FAITH (ONGOING) #10 CVR B ST ONGE    $3.99
FEB172066    FAITH (ONGOING) #10 CVR C CHARRETIER    $3.99
JAN172073    FAR SIDE OF THE MOON STORY OF APOLLO 11 3RD MAN HC    $16.95
FEB171768    FIRE FORCE GN VOL 03    $10.99
FEB171447    FLESH & STEEL GN    $16.99
FEB172099    FOOD WARS SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA GN VOL 17    $9.99
FEB171777    GAME FOR ADVENTURE YR GN VOL 01 ANDREW THE SEEKER    $6.99
FEB171166    GEARS AND BONES TP    $9.99
JAN172234    GFT DAY OF THE DEAD #3 (OF 6) CVR A LUIS    $3.99
JAN172235    GFT DAY OF THE DEAD #3 (OF 6) CVR B ROSETE    $3.99
JAN172236    GFT DAY OF THE DEAD #3 (OF 6) CVR C KROME    $3.99
JAN172237    GFT DAY OF THE DEAD #3 (OF 6) CVR D PREITANO    $3.99
JAN171947    GHOST DIARY GN VOL 01    $12.99
FEB171354    GIANT DAYS #25    $4.99
FEB171350    GOLDIE VANCE #11    $3.99
FEB172157    GRIMM TALES OF TERROR 2017 APRIL FOOLS ED CVR A RIVEIRO    $5.99
FEB172158    GRIMM TALES OF TERROR 2017 APRIL FOOLS ED CVR B SPAY    $5.99
FEB172159    GRIMM TALES OF TERROR 2017 APRIL FOOLS ED CVR C REYES    $5.99
FEB172095    HAIKYU GN VOL 10    $9.99
JAN172238    HELLCHILD THE UNHOLY #5 CVR A MURTI (MR)    $3.99
JAN172239    HELLCHILD THE UNHOLY #5 CVR B KIVELA (MR)    $3.99
JAN172240    HELLCHILD THE UNHOLY #5 CVR C CASAS (MR)    $3.99
JAN172241    HELLCHILD THE UNHOLY #5 CVR D TOLIBAO (MR)    $3.99
FEB171385    HELLINA SCYTHE #3 (MR)    $5.99
FEB171387    HELLINA SCYTHE #3 BAD GIRL CVR (MR)    $5.99
FEB171395    HELLINA SCYTHE #3 BAD GIRL NUDE CVR (MR)    $7.99
FEB171388    HELLINA SCYTHE #3 ENFORCER CVR (MR)    $5.99
FEB171393    HELLINA SCYTHE #3 ENFORCER NUDE CVR (MR)    $7.99
FEB171389    HELLINA SCYTHE #3 SACRILEGE CVR (MR)    $5.99
FEB171394    HELLINA SCYTHE #3 SACRILEGE NUDE CVR (MR)    $7.99
FEB171390    HELLINA SCYTHE #3 STUNNING CVR (MR)    $5.99
FEB171392    HELLINA SCYTHE #3 STUNNING NUDE CVR (MR)    $7.99
FEB171386    HELLINA SCYTHE #3 WRAP CVR (MR)    $5.99
FEB171391    HELLINA SCYTHE #3 WRAP NUDE CVR (MR)    $7.99
FEB171448    HELSING LEGACY BORN TP NEW PTG    $14.99
FEB171017    HERO CATS #16 SKYWORLD    $3.99
FEB172111    HONEY SO SWEET GN VOL 06    $9.99
FEB171778    HOTEL STRANGE GN GHOSTS IN THE CLOUDS    $7.99
SEP161530    ICARUS GN    $15.00
FEB171036    INFINITE SEVEN #3 CVR A MESA    $3.99
FEB171037    INFINITE SEVEN #3 CVR B MOVIE POSTER    $4.99
FEB171038    INFINITE SEVEN #3 CVR C GREATHOUSE    $4.99
FEB171039    INFINITE SEVEN #3 CVR D SHERLOCK    $4.99
FEB171040    INFINITE SEVEN #3 CVR E WASHINGTON    $4.99
JAN171652    INTERTWINED #6 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
DEC161817    INVADER ZIM #18    $3.99
FEB172121    ITSUWARIBITO GN VOL 20    $9.99
FEB171516    JAMES BOND #2 CVR A REARDON    $3.99
FEB171517    JAMES BOND #2 CVR B MASTERS    $3.99
FEB171518    JAMES BOND #2 CVR C VALLETTA    $3.99
FEB171449    JAZZ MIDNIGHT GN    $7.99
FEB171202    JUGHEAD #14 CVR A REG DEREK CHARM    $3.99
FEB171203    JUGHEAD #14 CVR B VAR QUINONES    $3.99
FEB171204    JUGHEAD #14 CVR C VAR CHIP ZDARSKY    $3.99
JAN171884    KERASCOET HC SET    $55.00
FEB171811    KIM REAPER #1    $3.99
FEB171812    KIM REAPER #1 VAR TREIMAN    $3.99
JAN171933    KINGDOM AUX DRIFT TP    $18.99
FEB172120    KUROKO BASKETBALL 2IN1 TP VOL 05    $16.99
JAN171321    LITTLE ARCHIE ONE SHOT CVR A ART BALTAZAR    $4.99
JAN171322    LITTLE ARCHIE ONE SHOT CVR B JAMPOLE    $4.99
JAN171323    LITTLE ARCHIE ONE SHOT CVR C  MATSUMURA    $4.99
FEB171800    LOOK HC    $15.99
DEC161679    LOVE & ROCKETS MAGAZINE #2 (MR)    $4.99
DEC161385    LUMBERJANES TP VOL 06    $14.99
FEB171162    LUNARBABOON TP DAILY LIFE OF PARENTHOOD    $12.99
FEB172123    MAGI GN VOL 23    $9.99
FEB171026    MIRACULOUS TALES OF LADYBUG CAT NOIR TP CLAWS OUT    $9.99
FEB172117    MONSTER HUNTER FLASH HUNTER GN VOL 07    $10.99
FEB171012    MOTOR GIRL #5    $3.99
FEB171663    NAMELESS CITY GN VOL 02 (OF 3) STONE HEART    $14.99
FEB172115    NARUTO 3IN1 TP VOL 18    $14.99
FEB171971    NORMAN FIRST SLASH #5 CVR A BROWNE (MR)    $3.99
FEB171972    NORMAN FIRST SLASH #5 CVR B SMITH (MR)    $3.99
FEB171973    NORMAN FIRST SLASH #5 CVR C LEONG (MR)    $3.99
JAN171488    OVER GARDEN WALL ONGOING #12    $3.99
JAN171489    OVER GARDEN WALL ONGOING #12 SUBSCRIPTION SIGH VAR    $3.99
JAN171953    PANDORA IN THE CRIMSON SHELL GHOST URN GN VOL 07 (MR)    $12.99
JAN171670    PATHFINDER WORLDSCAPE #6 (OF 6) CVR A FERNANDEZ    $4.99
JAN171671    PATHFINDER WORLDSCAPE #6 (OF 6) CVR B MANDRAKE    $4.99
JAN171672    PATHFINDER WORLDSCAPE #6 (OF 6) CVR C EXC SUBSCRIPTION VAR    $4.99
FEB171880    PENNY DREADFUL #1 BLANK SKETCH VAR    $4.99
FEB171874    PENNY DREADFUL #1 CVR A MOONEY    $4.99
FEB171875    PENNY DREADFUL #1 CVR B PHOTO    $4.99
FEB171876    PENNY DREADFUL #1 CVR C PHOTO    $4.99
FEB171877    PENNY DREADFUL #1 CVR D DAVIS    $4.99
FEB171878    PENNY DREADFUL #1 CVR E PIERCE    $4.99
FEB171879    PENNY DREADFUL #1 CVR F DE MARTINIS    $4.99
FEB172101    POKEMON XY GN VOL 10    $4.99
FEB171151    POPTROPICA BOOK 03 SECRET SOCIETY    $9.95
JAN171356    PROVIDENCE #12 (OF 12) (MR)    $4.99
JAN171357    PROVIDENCE #12 (OF 12) DREAMSCAPE WRAP CVR (MR)    $4.99
JAN171359    PROVIDENCE #12 (OF 12) PANTHEON CVR (MR)    $4.99
JAN171360    PROVIDENCE #12 (OF 12) PORTRAIT CVR (MR)    $4.99
JAN171358    PROVIDENCE #12 (OF 12) WEIRD PULP CVR (MR)    $9.99
JAN171361    PROVIDENCE #12 (OF 12) WOMEN OF HPL CVR (MR)    $4.99
AUG161732    REBEL #3 (MR)    $3.99
FEB171205    RIVERDALE (ONGOING) #1 CVR A REG ALITHA MARTINEZ (RES)    $3.99
FEB171206    RIVERDALE (ONGOING) #1 CVR B VAR ELLIOT FERNANDEZ (RES)    $3.99
FEB171207    RIVERDALE (ONGOING) #1 CVR C VAR FRANCAVILLA (RES)    $3.99
FEB171208    RIVERDALE (ONGOING) #1 CVR D VAR KRAUSE (RES)    $3.99
FEB171209    RIVERDALE (ONGOING) #1 CVR E VAR DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN (RE    $3.99
FEB171210    RIVERDALE (ONGOING) #1 CVR F VAR RON SALAS (RES)    $3.99
FEB172096    RUROUNI KENSHIN 3IN1 TP VOL 02    $14.99
FEB171450    SEARCHERS TP VOL 01    $14.99
FEB171451    SIXSMITHS GN VOL 02    $16.99
FEB171779    SMASH EXPLORING MYSTERIES LARGE HADRON COLLIDER GN    $11.99
JAN171684    SMOSH TP    $19.99
FEB172114    SO CUTE IT HURTS GN VOL 12 (MR)    $9.99
FEB171469    SOVEREIGNS #0 CVR A SEGOVIA    $1.00
FEB171869    SPIRITUAL POLICE GN VOL 02 (MR)    $12.99
FEB171443    SPONGEBOB COMICS TP VOL 01 SILLY SEA STORIES    $10.95
FEB171444    SPONGEBOB COMICS TP VOL 02 AQUATIC ADVENTURERS UNITE    $10.95
JAN171251    STARGATE ATLANTIS BACK TO PEGASUS SIGNED FAN SET 3 ISSUE LAR    $19.99
DEC161902    TANK GIRL WORLD WAR TANK GIRL #1 (OF 4) BLANK SKETCH VAR    $3.99
DEC161897    TANK GIRL WORLD WAR TANK GIRL #1 (OF 4) CVR A PARSON    $3.99
DEC161898    TANK GIRL WORLD WAR TANK GIRL #1 (OF 4) CVR B BURNS    $3.99
DEC161899    TANK GIRL WORLD WAR TANK GIRL #1 (OF 4) CVR C KANE    $3.99
DEC161900    TANK GIRL WORLD WAR TANK GIRL #1 (OF 4) CVR D PHOTO    $3.99
DEC161901    TANK GIRL WORLD WAR TANK GIRL #1 (OF 4) CVR E WAHL    $3.99
DEC162010    TENKO KING GN VOL 01 NEW LEAF    $19.99
JAN171934    THE ORDER DIE MENSCH MASCHINE TP    $16.99
DEC161200    THE THREE STOOGES TP VOL 01    $19.99
FEB172097    TOKYO GHOUL GN VOL 12    $12.99
FEB171143    TUCKER GRIZZWELLS WORST WEEK EVER TP    $9.99
FEB172100    TWIN STAR EXORCISTS ONMYOJI GN VOL 08    $9.99
FEB171249    UBER INVASION #5 (MR)    $3.99
FEB171253    UBER INVASION #5 BLITZKREIG CVR (MR)    $3.99
FEB171252    UBER INVASION #5 PROPAGANDA POSTER CVR (MR)    $3.99
FEB171254    UBER INVASION #5 VIP PREMIUM CVR (MR)    $9.99
FEB171251    UBER INVASION #5 WAR CRIMES CVR (MR)    $3.99
FEB171250    UBER INVASION #5 WRAP CVR (MR)    $3.99
FEB172105    WATER DRAGONS BRIDE GN VOL 01    $9.99
OCT161393    WAYNE SHELTON GN VOL 04 SURVIVOR    $13.95
FEB171341    WOODS #31    $3.99
FEB172122    WORLD TRIGGER GN VOL 15    $9.99
FEB171870    WORLDS GREATEST FIRST LOVE GN (MR) (MR)    $12.99
JAN171873    YAMADA KUN & SEVEN WITCHES GN VOL 13    $10.99
FEB172113    YONA OF THE DAWN GN VOL 05    $9.99
FEB172093    YU GI OH ARC V TP VOL 01    $9.99
FEB171068    ZOMBIE TRAMP 2017 EASTER SPECIAL CVR A MENDOZA (MR)    $3.99
FEB171069    ZOMBIE TRAMP 2017 EASTER SPECIAL CVR B MENDOZA RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
FEB171070    ZOMBIE TRAMP 2017 EASTER SPECIAL CVR C FUZZY BUNNY (MR)    $4.99
FEB171071    ZOMBIE TRAMP 2017 EASTER SPECIAL CVR D FUZZY BUNNY RISQUE (M    $4.99
FEB171072    ZOMBIE TRAMP 2017 EASTER SPECIAL CVR E SEXY BUNNY (MR)    $4.99
FEB171073    ZOMBIE TRAMP 2017 EASTER SPECIAL CVR F SEXY BUNNY RISQUE (MR    $4.99
FEB171736    ZOMBIES BRIEF HISTORY DECAY GN (RES)    $24.99

MAGAZINES
DEC161858    2000 AD 40TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL    $7.99
DEC161857    2000 AD PACK FEB 2017    $21.60
DEC161830    DOCTOR WHO ADVENTURES MAGAZINE #22    $7.99
JAN172348    DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #510    $11.99
FEB172267    FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #285 GAME OF THRONES VAR    $9.99
DEC162230    HOBBY JAPAN MAR 2017    $20.00
FEB172268    HORRORHOUND 2017 SPRING ANNUAL SPECIAL    $5.00
JAN171932    JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #382    $13.00
NOV162144    NEWTYPE FEB 2017    $20.00
JAN172353    SCREAM MAGAZINE #41 (MR)    $8.99

BOOKS
FEB171955    ANNO DRACULA 1899 AND OTHER STORIES MMPB    $14.95
FEB172198    BENDING STEEL MODERNITY & AMERICAN SUPERHERO SC    $30.00
JUN162136    BEST OF STAR WARS INSIDER VOL 04    $19.99
FEB172236    DOC SAVAGE WILD ADV SC FLIGHT INTO FEAR EXPANDED ED    $24.95
FEB172237    DOC SAVAGE WILD ADV SC WHISTLING WRAITH REVISED ED    $24.95
NOV162107    DOCTOR WHO COMP HIST HC VOL 30 7TH DOCTOR STORIES 144-146 (C    $18.99
NOV162108    DOCTOR WHO COMP HIST HC VOL 31 11TH DOCTOR STORIES 206- 208    $18.99
DEC162196    DOCTOR WHO COMP HIST HC VOL 39 5TH DOCTOR STORIES    $18.99
DEC162197    DOCTOR WHO COMP HIST HC VOL 40 10TH DOCTOR STORIES    $18.99
FEB172225    HEROS CLOSET SEWING FOR COSPLAY & COSTUMING SC    $24.95
JAN172284    MARVEL GUARDIANS OF GALAXY ULT GT TO COSMIC OUTLAWS HC    $24.99
JAN172283    MARVEL YEAR BY YEAR VISUAL HIST HC EXPANDED UPDATED ED    $50.00
NOV161453    MASTERS OF SPANISH COMIC BOOK ART HC    $39.99
JAN172333    SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 116 MOX & CRIME COUNTY    $14.95
FEB172242    STAR TREK CATS HC    $14.95
FEB172243    STAR WARS CLASSIC STICKER BOOK SC    $12.95
JAN172334    STAR WARS VISUAL ENCYCLOPEDIA HC    $30.00
FEB172202    SUPERHEROINES & EPIC JOURNEY SC    $19.99
FEB172241    WILD ADV KING KONG VS TARZAN SC    $24.95

Review: POKEMON THE MOVIE: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel

POKÉMON THE MOVIE: VOLCANION AND THE MECHANICAL MARVEL
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY/ART: Kemon Kawamoto
SCRIPT: Atsuhiro Tomioka
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION/EDITOR: Annette Roman
LETTERING: Susan Daigle-Leach
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9419-4; paperback; Rated “A” for “All Ages”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel is a 2016 Japanese anime film.  It is the third and final film in the Pokémon: XY film series and the 19th Pokémon movie overall.  The film, which is known as Pokémon the Movie XY&Z: Volcanion and the Exquisite Magearna in Japan, received a limited theatrical release in the United States in December 2016.  It was released to home media in the U.S. on March 21, 2017.

This film also has a single-volume manga adaption from mangaka Kemon Kawamoto.  As usual, this Pokémon story stars Ash Ketchum, the young boy on a quest to become a Pokémon master, and his partner, Pikachu, a Pokémon (the highly-sought after creatures of this series).

Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel opens with Ash and Pikachu defeating their most recent opponents.  Then, the duo travels to the “Great Mechanical City,” Azoth Kingdom.  Outside the city limits, they are surprised when the Mythical Pokémon, Volcanion, crashes down from the sky.  The crash creates a cloud of dust, and a mysterious force binds Ash and Volcanion together.

Volcanion despises humans, but cannot escape Ash no matter how hard he tries to get away, and is forced to drag Ash along as he continues his rescue mission  Volcanion wants to save his friend, the artificial Pokémon, Magearna.  She is the target of Alva, the Minister of Azoth Kingdom, who wants control of something powerful inside Magearna.  Can Ash find a way to work with Volcanion, who despises all humans?

For adults, Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel will be a quick read.  This kodomo manga (comics for children) has it moments, and I must admit that I am surprised that the story is long as it is.  I guess that makes it a true children's graphic novel.

Kemon Kawamoto really creates a sense of impending sense of doom in this story.  The reader will believe that the heroes are actually in peril.  When Ash and Pikachu leave their new friends at the end of this story to head to their next adventure, the parting is genuinely bittersweet.  I don't see myself as a regular reader of Pokémon manga, but I won't avoid them.

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


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

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Review: THE SHADOW: The Death of Margo Lane #1

THE SHADOW: THE DEATH OF MARGO LANE, VOL. 1, No. 1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER/ARTIST: Matt Wagner
COLORS: Brennan Wagner
LETTERS: A Larger World Studios
COVER:  Matt Wagner with Brennan Wagner
COVER B: Matt Wagner (B&W Incentive Cover)
COVER C: Matt Wagner with Brennan Wagner (Rare “Virgin Art” Cover)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (2016)

Rated “Teen+”

The Shadow is a fictional character that began life as a mysterious radio narrator, debuting on July 31, 1930 as the host of the radio program, “Detective Story Hour.”  Street and Smith Publications, publishers of Detective Story Magazine, hired writer Walter B. Gibson to create a character concept that fit The Shadow's name and voice and to also write a story featuring him.  The first issue of The Shadow Magazine went on sale on April 1, 1931.

The Shadow's alter-ego, Lamont Cranston, had a female companion, Margo Lane, who was also a spy for The Shadow.  Lane first debuted on radio in 1937 and first appeared in print in The Shadow Magazine in 1941.

Margo Lane is the focus of a new five issue comic book miniseries, The Shadow: The Death of Margo Lane.  The series is written and drawn by Matt Wagner, who is no stranger to chronicling The Shadow's adventures in comic books.  This miniseries is colored by Brennan Wagner and lettered by A Larger World Studios.

The Shadow: The Death of Margo Lane, Volume 1, #1 opens in the 1930s or 1940s, as Margo Lane jots down recent events in her diary.  It seems there has been a resurgence in the violent, criminal activities of the Tongs of Chinatown.  The Shadow believes that the mastermind behind this nefarious surge is a mysterious figure, the Red Empress, who so far really on exists in rumor.  When a shipping heiress, Gloria Sullivan, disappears, The Shadow believes that the abduction is a trap meant to ensnare him.  He is happy to oblige, but may be underestimating his adversaries.

Over the last three years, I have read somewhere between 200 to 300 pages of Shadow comic books written by Matt Wagner, and I have enjoyed most of it.  Honestly, I cannot tell you exactly why, but it may be because I am a longtime fan of Matt Wagner's work.  It seems to be that all it takes is Wagner's name on a character I love (and I do love me some Shadow), and I am pleased.

Now, I have heard a few episodes of the original Shadow radio show and I have read a few of Walter Gibson's stories published as novels.  Wagner's story and art and graphical storytelling recapture the mood and sense of mystery I remember feeling when I first heard the Shadow coming through the speaker of a tape player and when I read my first Shadow novel.

Right now, Matt Wagner is the top guy when it comes to creating Shadow comic books.  Wagner knows the potential that lurks in the heart of The Shadow.  I can't wait for the next issue of The Shadow: The Death of Margo Lane.

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.

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Review: SUPERMAN: Rebirth #1

SUPERMAN: REBIRTH No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
PENCILS: Doug Mahnke
INKS: Jaime Mendoza
COLORS: Wil Quintana
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Doug Mahnke and Jaime Mendoza with Wil Quintana
VARIANT COVER: Andy Park
44pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2016)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

The last time I reviewed an issue of Superman it was to express my opinion on Superman #41.  Entitled “Before Truth” (Part 1), this was the first issue of the new-look slash new-direction, “DCYou” Superman comic book, written by the acclaimed graphic novelist, Gene Luen Yang, his DC Comics debut and his first issue as series writer of Superman.  The art team on Superman remained the same as it has been for the year prior:  John Romita, Jr. (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks), with colorist Dean White and letterer Rob Leigh.

However, Romita soon moved on to work on a project related the Batman prestige project, DK III: The Master Race.  While Yang's run started with such promise, it pretty much petered out after about have a year, probably worn down by the inevitable changes to come.  Those changes turned out to be another “all-new direction” for DC Comics, something called Rebirth.

If I understand correctly, Rebirth marks the end of The New 52, DC Comics' reboot of its universe-mythology-continuity-superhero publishing line that began with such fanfare in 2011.  Y'all, it didn't even last 5 years.  Rebirth is all about returning some old continuity, especially the continuity established back in 1986, coming out of the universe-destroying, Earth-shattering comic book “maxi-series,” Crisis on Infinite Earths.  Some call this “GenX” DC Comics.

So before DC's regular series go into Rebirth and some new series debut, some of DC's flagship titles have Rebirth one-shots.  Thus, Superman: Rebirth #1.  It is written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason, the creative team behind the new Superman series.  The artists for this one-shot are Doug Mahnke on pencils; Jamie Mendoza on inks; Wil Quintana on colors; and Rob Leigh on letters.

So, if I followed this correctly:  New 52 Clark Kent/Superman is dead and buried.  Lana Lang is trying to retrieve his body from his memorial/monument/crypt.  She is interrupted by post-Crisis slash GenX Superman – the one married to Lois Lane.  He wears a black body suit with a silver Superman emblem “S” on a gray background on his chest.  This Superman and Lang travel to dead Superman's Fortress of Solitude in hopes that the “Regeneration Matrix” will revive him.

I have to admit that I was kinda exited about Rebirth, especially after reading the DC Universe Rebirth one-shot.  But now, that excitement is gone.  Superman: Rebirth #1 isn't bad.  I'm simply not interested in modern Superman comic books, for the most part, and this one-shot reminded me of my disinterest.  When I really want to read a Superman comic book, I buy some back issues from the 1970s or 1980s or read one of those expensive hardcover collections that DC Comics publishes which reprint Superman comic books from those decades and earlier.

Yeah, I'm going to read some more Rebirth one-shots, but I will only review the ones that I really enjoy or that really move me to care about Rebirth.

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.

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Review: THE EMPTY #1

THE EMPTY No. 1
IMAGE COMICS/Shadowline – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Jimmie Robinson
COLORS: Jimmie Robinson
LETTERS: Jimmie Robinson
28pp, Colors, $3.50 U.S. (February 2015)

Rated “T/Teen”

The Empty is a miniseries created, written, and drawn by Jimmie Robinson.  Published by Image Comics' imprint, Shadowline, The Empty is a tale about characters from different backgrounds who must work together if they are to save a dying planet.

The Empty #1 introduces the Empty.  This is a vast desert wasteland where hardly anything grows, apparently because of giant poisonous roots that leak gas into the air and the land.  A young woman named Tanoor is a fighter who hunts this dead land to find food for her village of Vaankam.  During a hunt, Tanoor discovers a young woman named Lila, who is apparently from another land, maybe even another world.  Lila's strange talents may save the Empty, but in the meantime, her powers endanger both herself and Tanoor.

I think that I had heard of The Empty long before I found some issues at my local comic shop.  I quickly snatched up The Empty #1 because of my recent interest in Jimmie Robinson, creator of The Empty and of the new series, Power Lines.

As someone who writes the story; composes the pencil, ink, and color art; and provides lettering for his comics, Robinson has control over the entire graphical package of his comic books.  Thus, there is little interference between Robinson's message/story and his audience.  There is a kind of narrative purity in that which I find hard to ignore – with good reason.

The bleak landscape of The Empty is actually beautiful, simply because Robinson's graphics and visuals are so pretty.  However, the rawness of the characters' emotions and the sense of desperation in the villagers is palatable.  Even the naked jealousy and dishonesty of the Elder Blan is powerful enough to drive the narrative.

I plan to read more of The Empty.  Even this single issue reveals the force and skill of Jimmie Robinson's immense talents as both a comics storyteller and as an illustrator and artist.

A

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 29, 2017

DC COMICS
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