Review: KULL ETERNAL #1

KULL ETERNAL No. 1
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tom Waltz
ART: Luca Pizzari
COLORS: Triona Tree Farrell
LETTERS: Christa Miesner
COVER: Luca Pizzari
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Alex Sanchez with Triona Tree Farrell (subscription cover); Xermanico (Retailer Incentive A); Jheremy Raapack with Jay Fotos (Retailer Incentive B); Julio Das Pastoras (Retailer Incentive C)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2017)

Kull of Atlantis (or Kull the Conqueror) is a fictional character created by writer Robert E. Howard. Kull's first published appearance was the short story, “The Shadow Kingdom,” which was published in the pulp magazine, Weird Tales (cover dated:  August 1929).  [Conan the Cimmerian (or Barbarian) made his first appearance in a story that was a re-write of a rejected Kull story.]

Kull was born in pre-cataclysmic Atlantis c. 100,000 BC, but was exiled from Atlantis as an adolescent.  Afterwards he would become a slave, a pirate, an outlaw, and a gladiator before he eventually becoming the King of Valusia.

Kull has appeared in comic books published by Marvel Comics and Dark Horse Comics.  IDW is the current license holder for Kull comic books.  The publisher recently released its debut Kull comic book, which is entitled Kull Eternal.  The series is written by Tom Waltz; drawn by Luca Pizzari; colored by Triona Tree Farrell, and lettered by Christa Miesner.

Kull Eternal #1 opens in modern times in Antarctica, where Kull leads a group of armed humans against reptilians humanoid types.  Why is Kull in modern times?  Then, the story moves back eons to the original time of Kull.  There, we find a conspiracy fermenting against King Kull.  A mysterious woman, calling herself “Zarunna,” brings the king a message, a summons from the wizard Tuzun Thune to his “House of a Thousand Mirrors.”

What is Kull doing in modern times, indeed?  Tom Waltz, writer of Kull Eternal, explains in his afterword (entitled “Reflections”) that Kull Eternal uses Robert E. Howard's Kull story, “The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune” (1929), as a springboard.  I have read some stories by Robert E. Howard (REH), including a few Conan short stories.  The only Kull prose story that I have ever read is “Swords of the Purple Kingdom,” which I have read twice.  I have read several Kull comic books, but the character has always been second among REH characters to me – behind Conan.

However, my interest was piqued by the announcement of Kull Eternal, and what I read in this first issue has piqued my interest enough to keep reading.  Tom Waltz's concept, plot, and script (the triple crown of comic book writing) are all tantalizing.  I want to know why Kull is in Antarctica, and I am intrigued by the world of Valusia set up by Waltz.  How the mirrors of Tuzun Thune will initiate Kull's time traveling is a reveal I want to discover.

I like the art by Luca Pizzari, especially the second half of the story which takes place in Valusia.  Pizzari's compositions are well served by Triona Tree Farrell's coloring, especially the Valusia segment.  I am curious to see where this art teams goes.

I would like Kull Eternal to have a long run, but Kull as a comic book character has had a life that is but a fragment of the decades long comic book run that Conan the Barbarian has had.  I think Kull's recent stint at Dark Horse Comics yielded no more than three miniseries.  Kull Eternal has the potential to run at least a year, even in this tight market.

7 out of 10

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.

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

I Reads You Juniors August 2018 - Update #67

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From BleedingCool:  Axel Alonzo is apparently died to ex-Marvel Comics publisher, Bill Jemas's new comic book company.

MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool: Truly a comic book legend, comics creator Marie Severin has died at the age of 89.  She was known for her association with Marvel Comics, especially its bullpen, but she also worked for legendary EC Comics.  Severin was the younger sister of the late comic book artist, John Severin.

From SmallPressExpo:  The 2018 SPX Ignatz Award nominations have been announced.

From BleedingCool:  See preview art from "Uncanny X-Men #1 and #2."

From TheVerge:  All your "DC Universe" streaming service updates.

From Kotaku: Momoko Sakura, One Of Japan's Most Famous Manga Creators, Has Died

From BleedingCool:  An article about a screenplay that was reverse-engineered into a comic book.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #175 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #175 in French.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics's CONAN THE BARBARIAN first creative team has been announced - writer Jason Aaron, artist Mahmud Asrar, and colorist Matthew Wilson.  Marvel's "Conan the Barbarian" will debut January 2019.

IN MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  Beloved comic book artist, Russ Heath, died at the age of 91, Friday, August 24, 2018.  Heath worked for Marvel Comics and its predecessor, Timely Comics, where he got his first comics job in 1947.  Heath also drew for DC Comics and EC Comics.  He contributed to the "Playboy" strip, "Little Annie Fanny."  Legendary pop artist, Roy Lichtenstein, based two of his paintings on Heath's art.

From CBR:  Jeff Lemire and Bill Sienkiewicz lambast "Comicsgate" after some its followers attack Marsha Cooke, the widow of comics writer-artist, Darwyn Cooke, online.

From THR:  A comic book event, "The Best Defense," will reunite the original line-up of Marvel Comics' "The Defenders."

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will publish a "prelude" comic book to next year's "Captain Marvel" movie, and the comic book will be canon to the Marvel Cinematic universe.

From BleedingCool:  Roy Thomas, who created the comic book Red Sonja, will tell her origin story in Dynamite Entertainment's miniseries, "Red Sonja: The Ballad of the Red Goddess."

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's website separating from Facebook and Google.

From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer and comic book historian, Gerard Jones, has been sentenced to six years in jail in California on child pornography charges.

From WeGotThisCovered:  Marvel Comics reveals X-Men superstar, Wolverine's new costume.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #174 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #174 in French.

From CNET:  HBO has order a TV series "based" on Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' much-abused graphic novel, "Watchmen."

From BBCNews:  100 Women: The artist redrawing "sexist" comic book covers.

From Kotaku:  The "Gintama" manga is reportedly ending after the next five chapters.

From ANN:  There is a new North American manga publisher, "Denpa."

From ComicBook:  "The Ghost in the Shell" manga box set nears an all-time low price.

From BleedingCool:  Popular writer Warren Ellis is making one "convention" appearance this  year, and he won't sign any books while there.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel to kill of "Old Man Logan" in 12-issue series, "Dead Man Logan."

From BleedingCool:  According to Joss Whedon, 20th Century Fox is ending Dark Horse Comics' license to produce "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" comic books.

From IdahoStatesman:  An article about comic book stores staying "relevant" via diversification of the products they sell.

From Polygon:  Dreaming big: How Neil Gaiman and a team of fantasy writers are expanding The Sandman Universe

From BleedingCool:  A Wichita Falls, Texas man has confessed to stealing $100,000 in comic books.

From Deadline:  "Prodigy" is the title of the second comic book franchise to be launched by Mark Millar since he joined Netflix.

From BleedingCool:  Most DC Comics titles will include a preview of the three-issue Batman/Hellblazer comic, "Batman: Damned," which will appear under the "Black Label" imprint (in ships September 19, 2018).

From Tumblr:  How Stan Sakai of "Usagi Jojimbo" builds a cover, from preliminary to finished cover.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic JohnnyBullet episode #173 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic JohnnyBullet episode #173 in French.

From HarveyAwards:  The nominees for the "Harvey Awards 2018," honoring the best in comics published in America have been announced.

From ANN:  The "Harvey Awards" have announced a "Best Manga" category for the 2018 edition of its awards.

----------------------------
From ANN:  Readers at the Anime News Network choose the best "boys' love" manga for beginners.

From Newsarama:  Joivan Wade ("The First Purge") will play Cyborg in DC Universe's "Doom Patrol" series.

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse to adapt more Neil Gaiman short stories into comics form.

From CBR:  Stan Lee, 95-year-old, will reportedly no longer participate in public autograph signings.

From CBR:  Maybe a reboot for Marvel Comics recent title, "Marvel 2-in-One."

From ANN:  SuBLime Manga, the Boys' Love manga imprint of VIZ Media, announces two new titles for both print and digital release, "Love in Limbo" and "Candy Color Paradox."

From BleedingCool:  This month, a number of Marvel Comics titles will have a four-page tribute to the late Steve Ditko.  The recently deceased comic book writer-artist is largely responsible for introducing a number of characters and graphical elements to Marvel, including co-creating Spider-Man and Doctor Stange.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomics Johnny Bullet episode #172 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomics Johnny Bullet episode #172 in French.

From CBSNews:  July 31st, 2018 was the fiftieth anniversary of the July 31st, 1968 first appearance of Franklin, the first African-American/Black character to appear in Charles Schultz's "Peanuts" newspaper comics strip.

From Newsarama:  Here are the covers for the second month of Wal-Mart exclusive DC Comics titles (Superman, Batman, Justice League, and Teen Titans).

From Asahi:  In Japan, manga artist, Ken Akamatsu, and mid-sized publisher, Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd., are initiating a project to make out-of-print and the hard-to-find books available so anyone can read them for free online.

From BostonGlobe:  Highlighting the unseen (African-American) artists behind comic books - Rob Stull.

From CBR:  Writer Scott Snyder has confirmed that he will work on the current "Justice League" comic book for at least 50 issues.

From BleedingCool:  In the upcoming "Absolute Authority Vol. 2," scenes and sequences that were edited in the original comic book releases will be restored - except for the President Bush stuff...

From Previews:  Netflix's adaptation of Archie Comics' "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" arrives on October 2018 - for the first of two 10-episode seaons.

From Star2:  Why isn’t Blade more popular, even after 45 years & a movie trilogy?

From AJC:  "The Atlanta Journal Constitution" offers a profile of comic book artist Afua Richardson, who recently won an Eisner Award.

From THR:  Marvel Comics announces new reprint collections of "Conan the Barbarian" comic books.  Marvel once again has the license to produce Conan comic books and will do so beginning in early 2019.

From ANN:  Akira Amano, creator of the "Reborn!" manga, is creating a one-shot hockey manga for the August 6th issue of "Weekly Shonen Jump."

From Asahi:  The small Japanese town of Hokuei enjoys being a tourist spot thanks to being the home town of manga creator, Gosho Aoyama, the creator of the "Detective Conan" manga, known in the U.S. as "Case Closed."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics has announced that it will not publish the "Shazam Monster Society of Evil Deluxe Edition Hardcover," a reprint of a classic and significant run of Captain Marvel/Shazam comic books from the early 1940s.  There are apparently concerns over the racists depictions of Black and Asian people.

From THR: Writer Jeff Lemire on Moving From Image Comics' "Descender" to "Ascender."

------------------------
OCTOBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Caliber Press for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for October 2018.
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for October 2018
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for October 2018.
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertaiment solicitations for October 2018.

NOVEMBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Lion Forge solicitations for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion 2000AD for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2018

Review: TUROK, Vol.1 #1

TUROK, VOL. 1, No. 1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Chuck Wendig
ARTIST: Alvaro Sarraseca
COLORS: Triona Farrell
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
COVER A: Aaron Lopresti with Pete Pantazis
COVER B: Aaron Conley with Jean-Francois Beaulieu
COVER C: Alvaro Sarraseca
COVER D: Andy Belanger
COVER E: Aaron Lopresti (B&W)
COVER F: Alvaro Sarraseca (B&W)
COVER G: Aaron Lopresti with Pete Pantazis (Virgin Art Incentive)
COVER H: Dan Parent with Anwar Hanano (Limited Edition)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (2016)

Rated “Teen+”

“Blood Hunt”

Turok is an American comic book character that belonged to Western Publishing.  Turok first appeared in Four Color Comics #596 (cover dated:  October/November 1954), which was published by Dell Comics, and eventually got his own title, Turok, Son of Stone. Turok (also named “Mandan”) is a pre-Columbian Native American who, along with his brother, Andar, becomes trapped in an isolated canyon valley populated by dinosaurs.

In 1992, Valiant Comics introduced a revamped and re-imagined version of Turok.  Turok and and his brother Andar were now 18th century Native Americans and were trapped in “The Lost Lands.”  This was a land that existed in a self-contained loop where aliens, demons, and dinosaurs flourished.  Millions of years might pass outside the loop, but time barely moved inside the loop.

Dynamite Entertainment is the current license holder of Western Publishing, now Random House's comic book characters.  There is a new Turok comic book series.  It is set in the “Lost Valley,” a prehistoric jungle which exists in all points in time simultaneously.  The saurian Varanid Empire of dinosaur people rule the Lost Valley.  Here, Turok is trying to find a missing girl who may hold the clue as to how things changed so much in the valley.  Turok is written by Chuck Wendig; drawn by Alvaro Sarraseca; colored Triona Farrell; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.

Turok #1 opens on the “Thornbush Road,” on the way to Terminal Market, a prison belonging to the Varanid Empire.  Marak, a “pigblood” (half-human/half Varanid), and Nettle, a human, are being transported to the prison to become residents.  There is, however, a legendary hero aboard the transport.  He is Turok, and he actually wants to get inside Terminal Market.

My only previous experience reading Turok comic books is a Dark Horse Archives collection of the Dell Comics Turok from several years ago.  I was curious about Valiant Comics' Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, but got around to reading it.  It seems as if Dynamite's new Turok (part of a brand called “The Sovereigns”) is probably closer to Valiant's Turok than the original Dell Comics' Turok.

This new Turok is competently written and drawn, and these 21 pages are good enough to make me want to try the second issue.  There is not really enough here to make a solid judgment about the quality of the series, but I will give it a grade.  I really like the striking cover drawn by Aaron Lopresti and colored by Pete Pantazis.  Speaking of striking images, that last page will probably encourage readers to come back for at least a second issue.

[This comic book contains the Doctor Spektor back-up story, “Part 2,” by writer Aubrey Sitterson; artist Dylan Burnett; colored by Triona Farrell; and letterer Taylor Esposito.]

6.5 out of 10

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.

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

Review: RWBY Official Manga Anthology Volume 2

RWBY OFFICIAL MANGA ANTHOLOGY, VOL. 2 – MIRROR, MIRROR
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONISTS: KaTe; monorobu; Kuma; Mate; Ritsu Hayami; Amechan; Rojine Kio; mojojoj, EMO; Mochiyama; Mikanuji; Tsutanoha; Amaya; Sora; Kaogeimoai; ryuga; Uri; Assa; Sun Hiura; Umiya
TRANSLATION: Joe Yamasaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley
LETTERS: Evan Waldinger
EDITOR: Joel Enos
MISC. ART: shihou; Kuma; BUZZ; Ecru
COVER: Ein Lee and Meteo
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0158-2; paperback (August 2018); Rated “T” for “Teen”
184pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $17.99 CAN, £8.99 U.K.

Based on the animation from Rooster Teeth Productions; RWBY created by Monty Oum

“RWBY” is an American animated series that is streamed on the World Wide Web.  “RWBY” was created by the late Monty Oum for Rooster Teeth Productions (an American company), which is known for its streaming and web animated series.  “RWBY” is produced in a Japanese anime style, although some consider it to be an actual anime series.  It is the first western-produced anime series to be distributed to Japanese television.

“RWBY” is set on the world of Remnant, which is beset by “Grimm,” horrific monsters bent on the destruction of humanity.  The kingdoms of Remnant have risen to combat these monsters by training powerful Huntsmen and Huntresses at academies around the planet. “RWBY” focuses on Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long, four such Huntresses-in-training who are collectively known as “Team RWBY.”

RWBY The Official Manga Anthology collects original short manga and comics set in the world of RWBY.  Each graphic novel in the series showcases a particular member of Team RWBY.  RWBY The Official Manga Anthology, Vol. 2 is subtitled “Mirror, Mirror” and focuses on Weiss Schnee, sometimes called “the Ice Princess.”

The stories reveal how Weiss initially struggles to work in a team, and how she comes to think of her teammates as friends, although she still sometimes feels out of place.  The stories also reveal how close she is to her older sister, Winter, and how the dynamics of her powerful family affects her as a child and still do.  Most of all the stories are about how Weiss becomes a part of the family known as Team RWBY.

[This volume contains commentary one-panel cartoons from the cartoonists that contributed to this volume.  It also includes “Message from Ein Lee” and “Message from Kara Eberle.”]

I had not heard of “RWBY” until I received a VIZ Media press release that it was going to collect Shirow Miwa's 2015-2017 manga adaptation of the anime.  My VIZ Media press rep has sent me both volumes of the RWBY The Official Manga Anthology manga published to date.

RWBY The Official Manga Anthology Graphic Novel Volume 2 is, in tone and style, similar to the first volume of the anthology.  The stories are mostly humorous, and they are lighthearted vignettes that focus on the relationships between the members of Team RWBY.

RWBY The Official Manga Anthology Volume 2 – Mirror, Mirror is a good way to let readers see various aspects of the character of Weiss Schnee.   According to the press release that accompanied the first volume's release, the mangaka (creators) that contribute to this anthology are new artists.  That shows in the fact that these stories feel like amateur press comics or “dōjinshi.”  The stories in “Mirror, Mirror,” are about relationships and friendship, but very few are about RWBY's continuity or about the series' internal mythology.

B
6 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.

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

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for August 29, 2018

BOOM! STUDIOS

APR181116    BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA OLD MAN JACK TP VOL 01    $16.99
JUN181237    BONE PARISH #2    $3.99
JUN188495    BONE PARISH #2 FOC CROOK INCV    $3.99
APR181124    EUGENIC TP    $14.99
JUN181258    JIM HENSON FRAGGLE ROCK #4 MAIN    $3.99
JUN181260    JIM HENSON FRAGGLE ROCK #4 RED VAR MYLER CVR    $3.99
JUN181259    JIM HENSON FRAGGLE ROCK #4 SUBSCRIPTION MYLER CVR    $3.99
APR181127    JIM HENSON POWER OF DARK CRYSTAL HC VOL 03 (OF 4)    $24.99
APR181123    JUDAS TP    $14.99
JUN188044    MMPR SHATTERED GRID #1 HOLOFOIL HAIRSINE VAR    $7.99
JUN181222    MMPR SHATTERED GRID #1 MAIN    $7.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 29, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUN180377    BLACKWOOD #4 (OF 4)    $3.99
JUN180378    BLACKWOOD #4 (OF 4) RUBIN CVR    $3.99
SEP170139    GOT DAENERYS MOTHER OF DRAGONS BUST    $99.99
AUG170093    GOT TYRION LANNISTER HAND OF THE QUEEN BUST    $99.99
APR180051    HERCULES ADVENTURES OF MAN GOD ARCHIVE HC    $49.99
JUN180336    MODERN FANTASY #3 (OF 4)    $3.99
APR180033    NGE SHINJI IKARI RAISING PROJECT TP VOL 18    $9.99
JUN180349    STARCRAFT SCAVENGERS #2    $3.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 29, 2018

DC COMICS

JUN180460    BATGIRL #26    $3.99
JUN180461    BATGIRL #26 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN180462    BATGIRL ANNUAL #2    $4.99
MAR180336    BATMAN A LOT OF LIL GOTHAM TP    $24.99
MAY180565    BATMAN ARKHAM PENGUIN TP    $19.99
FEB180298    BATMAN BRAVE & THE BOLD BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $99.99
JUN180444    CATWOMAN TWEETY & SYLVESTER SPECIAL #1    $4.99
JUN180445    CATWOMAN TWEETY & SYLVESTER SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
MAY180574    DC BOMBSHELLS THE DELUXE ED HC BOOK 01    $29.99
FEB180332    DC DESIGNER SERIES BATMAN BY BRIAN BOLLAND MINI STATUE    $80.00
MAY180580    HARLEY & IVY MEET BETTY & VERONICA HC    $24.99
JUN180446    HARLEY QUINN GOSSAMER SPECIAL #1    $4.99
JUN180448    HARLEY QUINN GOSSAMER SPECIAL #1 BLANK VAR ED    $4.99
JUN180447    HARLEY QUINN GOSSAMER SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
JUN180449    JOKER DAFFY DUCK SPECIAL #1    $4.99
JUN180450    JOKER DAFFY DUCK SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
JUN180451    LEX LUTHOR PORKY PIG SPECIAL #1    $4.99
JUN180452    LEX LUTHOR PORKY PIG SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
MAY180587    NEW GODS BY JACK KIRBY TP    $29.99
JUN180522    NIGHTWING ANNUAL #1    $4.99
JUN180527    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS ANNUAL #2    $4.99
JUN180433    SCARLET #1 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
JUN180435    SCARLET #1 (OF 5) BLANK VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
JUN180434    SCARLET #1 (OF 5) VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
JUN180535    SILENCER ANNUAL #1    $4.99
FEB180328    TEEN TITANS STARFIRE MULTI PART STATUE    $80.00