Saturday, July 6, 2019

Review: KOMI CAN'T COMMUNICATE Volume 1

KOMI CAN'T COMMUNICATE, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Tomohito Oda
TRANSLATION & ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Eva Grandt
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0712-6; paperback (June 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Comi-San Wa, Comyusho Desu (Miss Komi is Bad at Communication) is the most recent shonen manga from creator, Tomohito Oda (whose previous manga was the series, Digicon).  VIZ Media is publishing Miss Komi is Bad at Communication in English in North America under the title, Komi Can't Communicate, as a graphic novel series.  Komi Can't Communicate focuses on a group of socially awkward high school students who try to help each other gain new friends and fit in with the other students.

Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 19) introduces a high school girl named Shoko Komi.  Her skin is porcelain, and her hair is silky.  Her large eyes are almond-shaped, and she smells good.  Komi is the most beautiful person most of her classmates have ever seen.  However, she has crippling social anxiety so bad that she can barely speak.  Most people think her silence is because of her “cool reserve,” so they keep their distance.  Her communication disorder is keeping her from making friends.

Into her life arrives a new classmate, an awkward boy named Hitohito Tadano.  He is timid and has average communication skills.  However, he recognizes that Komi is not aloof, but merely super awkward.  So Tadano decides to help Komi attain her goal of making 100 friends.  All he needs to do is get her to speak, a single conversation at a time.

[This volume includes bonus comics.]

I won't call the Komi Can't Communicate manga a great graphic novel... yet.  However, this series is one of those shonen (comics for teen boys) and shojo manga (comics for teen girls) mixes that offer readers young male and female characters forced together for a common goal, with some romantic elements, although that is not the central focus.

Komi Can't Communicate Graphic Novel Volume 1 is basically comprised of a series of comic situations.  The chapters vary wildly in size.  Many are only three to six pages each.  Others are 10 to 15 pages in length, with one being 19 pages long.  Regardless, Komi Can't Communicate is a situation comedy, and creator Tomohito Oda is quite adept at creating small situations out of this narrative's central conceit.

The characters have potential, but are mostly thin on personality this early in the series.  I have faith that over time, I will be surprised what depth they will gain.  John Werry, who writes the English adaptation for Komi Can't Communicate, shows quite a bit of skill at making the sometimes crazy, sometimes almost non-existent dialogue convey humor.

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.

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Friday, July 5, 2019

Review: Approbation's THE BEAST

THE BEAST - OGN
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Marcelo Salaza and Ricardo Mendez
COLORS: Schimerys Baal
LETTERS: Elisa Coletti
EDITORS: John P. Ward and Denise Thompson
COVER: Marcelo Salaza
48pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. / $2.99 U.S. comiXology; (2016; digital release date – August 31, 2016)

Rated: “M” for Mature / 17+ Only – comiXology rating

The Beast is a one-shot horror comic book from Approbation Comics.  It is written by B. Alex Thompson; drawn by Marcelo Salaza and Ricardo Mendez; colored by Schimerys Baal; and lettered by Elisa Coletti.  The story focuses on a group of college friends (or “frenemies”), a mangled hunter, and an unidentifiable creature.

The Beast introduces college students:  Parker, Julia, Henry, Ben, Sue, Clark, Anna, and Kelly.  They take an RV into the woods to swim, to fun, and to fuck each other silly.  However, old rivalries and simmering grudges rear their ugly heads.  In fact, Ben is sure that Kelly is going to give him some shaky pudding, but he discovers something about her that brings out the beast in him.  Meanwhile, a hunter with a mangled arm and an unknown creature are awaiting them in the woods.

I have to say that The Beast is not one of Approbation Comics' better efforts, although it is an entertaining read.  As usual, however, B. Alex Thompson, the modern master of meat-grinder horror comics, turns in a gleefully violent tale of terror dismemberment

Artists Marcelo Salaza and Ricardo Mendez still seem to be in the awkward composition phase, but they work hard on the storytelling.  Colorist Schimerys Baal splashes enough red around to have us swimming in blood to read this comic book.  Letterer Elisa Coletti continues to keep lettering in Approbation Comics strong.

The Beast reminds me of Thompson's crazy-ass and crazy-as-hell original graphic novel, Southern Hospitality (which predates The Beast by a few years).  Both comics are about ordinary people who are really insane slash monstrous killers or are ordinary people who must learn to hack and slash other ordinary people to death.  As I said earlier, The Beast is not great, but this comic book is meat for the beast... you know is inside you.

6 out of 10

Buy The Beast at comiXology.

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

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 reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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Thursday, July 4, 2019

Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 (2019) – Legacy #276
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jason Aaron
ART: Mahmud Asrar
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Basso
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida
COVER: Esad Ribić
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Daniel Acuna; Mahmud Asrar with Matthew Wilson; John Cassaday with Laura Martin; John Tyler Christopher; Kirbi Fagan; Adi Granov; Greg Hildebrandt; Esad Ribic; Jesus Saiz; Bill Sienkewicz; Skottie Young; Gerardo Zaffino with Rain Beredo
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (March 2019)

Parental Advisory

Conan the Barbarian based on the “Conan” character created by Robert E. Howard

“The Life & Death of Conan” Part One: “The Weird of the Crimson Witch”

Conan the Cimmerian is a fictional “sword and sorcery” hero created by Robert E. Howard (REH).  Conan first appeared in the pulp fiction magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  Conan lived in Howard's fictional “Hyborian Age” and was a mercenary, outlaw, pirate, thief, warrior, and eventually a king, but because of his tribal origins, some characters that encountered him thought of Conan as a barbarian.

In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books with the series, Conan the Barbarian.  It is doing so again, having recently published the first issue of a revival of Conan the Barbarian.  It is written by Jason Aaron; drawn by Mahmud Asrar; colored by Matthew Wilson; and lettered by VC's Travis Lanham.

Conan the Barbarian #1 (“The Weird of the Crimson Witch”) opens sometimes during Conan the Cimmerian's prime as “a thief, a reaver, and a slayer.”  In Zamora, the city of thieves, his brutal prowess in the fights pits of Maul has attracted the attention of a comely young woman.

Conan has always cheated death, continues to cheat death, and perhaps, he always will?  The more he cheats death, the more his blood becomes imbued with the power of “Death Magic.”  It is that magic that the Crimson Witch and her death god, Razazel, needs.  Does King Conan know that?

The new Conan the Barbarian is a comic book that I can keep reading... at least for awhile.  For one, I am a fan of artist Mahmud Asrar and have been since I started seeing his work eight years ago.  His elegant compositions are pleasing to the eye, and his figure drawing creates the illusion of powerful figures in motion.  There is also a sense of dynamism even in characters that are depicted as moving not at all or as moving very little.

Colorist Matthew Wilson, one of best colorists working in comic book today, takes Asrar's beautiful art to an edgier place.  The red, yellow, and orange hues make the bloody sequences even bloodier, and the color turns the Crimson Witch's magic into a thing that rages and pulses.

Jason Aaron's story is good, but it is not as passionate as Asrar-Wilson's art.  However, Aaron has created a menace (the Crimson Witch) that it actually and legitimately dangerous to Conan, throughout his life.  I like that Aaron is willing to depict Conan as a brutal killer (and that Asrar and Wilson draws that cleaving, hacking, slashing, and beheading with glee).  Speaking of glee, the villains are gleefully murderous, and that is a good thing.  I have to give letterer Travis Lanham credit; he makes Aaron's script read like true-blue, bloody mayhem Conan the Barbarian.

Conan the Barbarian #1 (2019) is a good first issue.  It isn't great, but it doesn't have to be.  I was certainly hopeful that I would have a reason to be a regular reader of Conan the Barbarian again (which I have not been since the Reagan era).

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 reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Review: CHAOS CAMPUS #25

CHAOS CAMPUS: SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES No. 25
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Jose Henrique
COLORS: Anita Zaramella
LETTERS: Elisa M. Coletti
POST-SCRIPTING/POLISH: John P. Ward
EDITORS: B. Alex Thompson and John P. Ward
COVER: Jose Henrique
24pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (2015; digital release date – September 14, 2016)

Rated: Teen 13+ / 15+ Only – comiXology rating

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

“The Road to Salvation,” Part 1 of 4”

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is a long-running horror-comedy and zombie apocalypse comic book series.  The creation of writer/comics impresario, B. Alex Thompson, Chaos  Campus is 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’ Jamie Lynn Schaeffer, brainy and magic-wielding Paige Helena Patton, and sexy Brittany Ann Miller.

The previous story line, “The Pink,” ended with tragedy.  The new story line is the four-part “The Road to Salvation,” and it finds our heroines caught in a civil war, of sorts.  This story is written by B. Alex Thompson; drawn by Jose Henrique; colored by Anita Zaramella; and lettered by Elisa M. Coletti.

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #25 opens to find Paige and Brittany imprisoned.  Luckily, the people doing the imprisoning surprisingly include Paige's brother, Tyler, and her mother, Morgan.  There is a happy reunion with Jamie, who is suspicious of their new circumstances.  But Jamie's troubles are just beginning.  Plus, meet the “Neo-Zombies.”

“The Road to Salvation” story line looks to be the next most-excellent Chaos Campus adventure arc.  This isn't the first time that an “evolved” zombie has appeared in the series, but this time, dear readers, we have the addition of some kooky family dynamics, via the Pattons, thrown into the mix.

Once, again we get a chance to enjoy creator-writer B. Alex Thompson's superb dialogue writing, especially in the case of Jamie's urban slash hip hop slang.  This “shiz” is not “wack,” and I am always impressed by how much “jive” Thompson can string together.

Jose Henrique's animation-inspired art offers excellent storytelling.  Anita Zaramella's anime-inspired coloring brings some extra zip to the story, a mixture of action, comedy, and action-comedy-horror.  Elisa M. Coletti's lettering and word balloons seem to dance away from intruding on the art, but adds some more zing to this spry episode.

I'll say something else that I have said before.  I don't know why Chaos Campus is not a multi-media franchise, already on our television and handheld device screens.

8 out of 10

Buy Chaos Campus #25 at comiXology.

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

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 reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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

Monday, July 1, 2019

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for July 3, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

MAY191228    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #6 CVR A MAIN ASPINALL    $3.99
MAY191229    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #6 CVR B MAIN WADA    $3.99
MAY191230    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #6 CVR C MAIN SHARPE    $3.99
MAY191231    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #6 CVR D PREORDER CAREY VAR    $3.99
APR198613    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #6 FOC MERCADO SLAYER VAR    $3.99
APR198614    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #6 FOC MERCADO VAMP VAR    $3.99
APR198528    CODA TP VOL 01 (NEW PTG)    $14.99
MAY191253    GIANT DAYS #52    $3.99
MAR191279    GO GO POWER RANGERS TP VOL 04    $16.99
MAR191294    JIM HENSONS TALE OF SAND GN    $19.99
MAR191312    OVER GARDEN WALL HOLLOW TOWN TP    $14.99
MAY191255    ROCKOS MODERN AFTERLIFE #4 CVR A MAIN MCGINTY    $3.99
MAY191256    ROCKOS MODERN AFTERLIFE #4 CVR B PREORDER MCCORMICK VAR    $3.99
MAR191304    SMOOTH CRIMINALS TP VOL 01    $14.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 3, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAR190322    BEANWORLD OMNIBUS TP VOL 02    $24.99
MAR190297    BLACK HAMMER AGE OF DOOM #11 CVR A ORMSTON    $3.99
MAR190298    BLACK HAMMER AGE OF DOOM #11 CVR B RIVERA    $3.99
MAR190349    CRIMSON LOTUS TP    $19.99
MAR190280    HELLBOY HC 25 YEARS OF COVERS    $34.99
MAR190303    MASSIVE OMNIBUS TP VOL 01    $24.99
MAY190237    NO ONE LEFT TO FIGHT #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAY190208    WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER ENCYCLOPEDIA ONE-SHOT    $3.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 3, 2019

DC COMICS

MAY190375    ADVENTURES OF THE SUPER SONS #12 (OF 12)    $3.99
APR190442    BATGIRL #36    $3.99
APR190443    BATGIRL #36 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180679    BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY KENNETH ROCAFORT    $80.00
APR190531    BATMAN DELUXE ED COLL HC BOOK 04    $34.99
MAY190390    BATMAN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III #3 (OF 6)    $3.99
MAY190391    BATMAN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III #3 (OF 6) VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180683    DC GALLERY ARKHAM ASYLUM BATMAN COWL (AUG188732)    $90.00
APR198793    DCEASED #1 (OF 6) 2ND PTG    $3.99
MAY190397    DCEASED #3 (OF 6)    $3.99
MAY190399    DCEASED #3 (OF 6) CARD STOCK HORROR VAR ED    $4.99
MAY190398    DCEASED #3 (OF 6) CARD STOCK VAR ED    $4.99
MAY190396    DEATHSTROKE #45 CARD STOCK VAR ED YOTV THE OFFER    $4.99
MAY190395    DEATHSTROKE #45 YOTV THE OFFER    $3.99
MAY190367    DOOM PATROL WEIGHT OF THE WORLDS #1 (MR)    $3.99
MAY190405    DREAMING #11 (MR)    $3.99
MAY190408    FEMALE FURIES #6 (OF 6)    $3.99
MAY190413    GREEN LANTERN #9    $3.99
MAY190414    GREEN LANTERN #9 VAR ED    $3.99
MAY190418    HARLEY QUINN #63 CARD STOCK VAR ED YOTV THE OFFER    $4.99
MAY190417    HARLEY QUINN #63 YOTV THE OFFER    $3.99
APR190556    JOKER TP BLACK LABEL    $14.99
APR190557    JSA BY GEOFF JOHNS TP BOOK 03    $39.99
MAY190426    JUSTICE LEAGUE #27 CARD STOCK YOTV VAR ED THE OFFER    $4.99
MAY190425    JUSTICE LEAGUE #27 YOTV VAR ED THE OFFER    $3.99
MAY190371    LOIS LANE #1 (OF 12)    $3.99
MAY190372    LOIS LANE #1 (OF 12) VAR ED    $3.99
MAR190595    RED HOOD OUTLAW TP VOL 01 REQUIEM FOR AN ARCHER    $19.99
APR190566    SUICIDE SQUAD KATANA THE REVENGE OF COBRA TP    $16.99
MAY190363    SUPERMAN UP IN THE SKY #1 (OF 6)    $4.99
APR190511    WILD STORM #24    $3.99