DC Comics from Lunar/UCS Distributors for September 1, 2020

DC COMICS:

Batman #98 (Cover A David Finch), $3.99
Batman #98 (Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #98 (Cover C Jorge Jimenez Catwoman Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman The Adventures Continue #4 (Of 7)(Cover A James Harren), $3.99
Batman The Adventures Continue #4 (Of 7)(Cover B Ben Caldwell Card Stock Variant), AR
Booster Gold Future Lost HC, $39.99
DC Connect Checklist Poster #3, AR
DC Super Hero Girls Midterms TP, $9.99
DCeased Dead Planet #3 (Of 7)(Cover A David Finch), $3.99
DCeased Dead Planet #3 (Of 7)(Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), AR
DCeased Dead Planet #3 (Of 7)(Cover C Yasmine Putri Movie Homage Card Stock Variant), AR
Dollar Comics Batman #663, $1.00
Dollar Comics Catwoman #1 (2002), $1.00
Dreaming Waking Hours #2 (Of 12), $3.99
Flash Savage Velocity TP, $39.99
Green Arrow The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Volume 1 HC, $150.00
Hellblazer Rise And Fall #1 (Of 3)(Cover A Darick Robertson), $6.99
Hellblazer Rise And Fall #1 (Of 3)(Cover B Lee Bermejo), AR
Hellblazer Volume 23 No Future TP, $29.99
He-Man And The Masters Of The Multiverse TP, $17.99
Justice League #52 (Cover A Cully Hamner), $3.99
Justice League #52 (Cover B Nick Derington), AR
Powers The Best Ever HC, $29.99
Shazam #14 (Cover A Dale Eaglesham), $3.99
Shazam #14 (Cover B Dale Keown), AR
Spectre The Wrath Of The Spectre Omnibus HC, $125.00
Strange Adventures #5 (Of 12)(Cover A Mitch Gerads), $4.99
Strange Adventures #5 (Of 12)(Cover B Evan Doc Shaner), AR
Supergirl Cosmic Adventures In The 8th Grade TP (New Edition), $9.99
Teen Titan Beast Boy TP,
Young Justice #18 (Cover A John Timms), $3.99
Young Justice #18 (Cover B Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant), AR

Book Review: SURRENDER, WHITE PEOPLE!

SURRENDER, WHITE PEOPLE!: OUR UNCONDITIONAL TERMS FOR PEACE
WILLIAM MORROW/HarperCollins

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

AUTHORS: D.L. Hughley and Doug Moe
ISBN: 978-0-06-295370-4; hardback; 5.5 x 7.25 (June 30, 2020)
256pp, B&W, $27.99 U.S., $34.99 CAN

Surrender, White People!: Our Unconditional Terms for Peace is a 2020 non-fiction, humor, and social commentary book written by D.L Hughley and Doug Moe.  Hughley is an actor, comedian, and longtime social activist, and Moe is a writer and an actor and performer associated with the “Upright Citizens Brigade.”

Surrender, White People!: Our Unconditional Terms for Peace works under the premise that America is about to become a majority-minority nation, and Hughley has a warning for White people.  White people are not only going to be a minority themselves, but they are also going to face a reckoning.  It is time for White people to sue for peace, and have some fun while D.L. holds them for accountable and lays out the details.  Have a laugh and Surrender, White People!

Hughley says that in a browner America black and brown people are not going to take a backseat anymore.  Thus, it is time for White people to surrender their unjust privileges; face their history, put aside all their visions of superiority, and open up their institutions so they benefit everyone in this nation.

Luckily for America... and for White people, D.L. has a plan.  If White people go along with it, the might actually get Black people (finally!) to stop talking about oppression, discrimination, and their place in America

THE LOWDOWN:  I have never read any of D.L. Hughley's books, including How Not to Get Shot, but after reading Surrender, White People!, I feel that I need to do so.  I am a longtime fan of Hughley's stand-up comedy and especially of his political and social commentary. He is one of the sharpest and most honest commentators on race relations, race awareness.  He is especially good speaking and writing on the inequalities in the United States and of the historic and systemic oppression of African slaves and their descendants at the hands of White people in America.

The premise of Surrender, White People! is that we need a peace treaty between Black folks and White people.  However, D.L. says there can only be peace and reconciliation if White people give up their “White privileges” and renounce “White supremacy.”

D.L.'s treaty is a kind of new constitution that has a preamble and six articles.  Hughley and Moe fill the articles with facts, history, and examples of why each article is necessary.  There is triple truth, Ruth, and genuine, even uproarious humor.  Laughs aside, the first two articles, “White People Shall Consider Reparations” and “History Books Shall Be Aligned,” unleash a savage broadside on White privilege and on the history of the United States of America... which is essentially a White (washed) story.

It would be too easy to say that Surrender, White People! is the perfect book for our troubled times.  The truth is that the time is always right for what D.L. Hughley has to say about racism in America.  Surrender, White People! is an opportunity to laugh, to learn, and to move us a little closer to real, substantial change.

But considering what has happened in the year 2020, we will need more books from D.L. Hughley and Doug Moe... and probably some amendments to this peace treaty.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of D.L. Hughley cannot and must not miss Surrender, White People!: Our Unconditional Terms for Peace.

10 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/WmMorrowBooks
https://www.facebook.com/WilliamMorrowBooks
https://twitter.com/HarperCollins
https://www.harpercollins.com/


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


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#IReadsYou Review: GREY CHAPTER 1

GREY. CHAPTER 1.
THE GREY ROOM

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kris Hornett
ART: Kero Beroz
SPECIAL PROJECTS ART: Kenet Guevarra
EDITOR: Lisa Taylor
32pp, B&W, $10.00 (July 2020)

Chapter 1 “Hello Winter”

Grey is a new independently published comic book series from writer Kris Hornett and artist Kero Beroz.  Published by The Grey Room, the series saw its debut issue, Grey. Chapter 1., just recently published.  Grey is a hybrid, a combination of an American comic book format and Japanese manga aesthetics.  Grey is also similar to what was once called OEL manga or “original English language” manga, a genre associated with publisher, TOKYOPOP.

Grey is set in the realm of Ketiyama (apparently an archipelago).  The story takes place an indeterminate time after the occurrence of an event known as “the Sonoma Incident,” which was the outbreak of a lethal virus on Nacirema, one of Ketiyama's islands.  The outbreak left the island in chaos, destruction, and division.  As a sign of good faith and as a last attempt to restore order, the ruling Board of Officials allowed the people to elect a team of highly trained tactical agents, known as “the Bureau,” to serve and protect them.

Within the Bureau is an elite unit known as “Nimbus.”  This is a team of five agents who are sworn to maintain moral balance and to enforce the law.  The agents of Nimbus are also apparently able to manipulate their “prana” (“life energy”).  One of the agents is 20-year-old Shuyin Hagamuri.

As Grey. Chapter 1 (“Hello Winter”) opens, Shuyin is attending the International Fashion Fest (IFF).  After one of the models is attacked, Shuyin receives an unusual warning.  Shortly afterwards, Shuyin in investigating an invasion of Bureau headquarters when he learns that, yes, the shadows of his past have resurfaced.  And they are portending disaster.

THE LOWDOWN:  Grey is not one of those comic books that you read and toss in the already-read-pile before moving on to the next comic book.  Grey is a shockingly well-developed concept and exists in world with a complex history that seems (at least to me) to permeate every panel of the story.

Grey. Chapter 1 teases the readers and offers them a hint at what is to comic, but the story is not hard to follow, as the creators focus much of the action through Shuyin Hagamuri.  Shuyin seems to be one of those steadfast protagonists.  He also seems more of a fidelity-to-vocation professional and less like one of those relentless law dog types.  But, as it is very early in the overall narrative, I certainly am assuming a lot.

I like the art and graphical storytelling, which is composed of big panels, but is intimate instead of being widescreen and epic.  The illustrations are in black and white, but the story has a color vibe.  Or maybe what I am feeling is vibrancy of the story.  I like the matter-of-fact lettering, which is not polished, but is also not obtrusive.

I am curious about Grey, and I want to recommend that readers looking to support independent and DIY comics buy this first issue (which you can do at the publisher's website).  Some of this first chapter is unpolished, and this is obviously because the creators are still feeling their way around the narrative.  Regardless, Grey has the potential to offer a lot of surprises if the creators can keep it going... which involves money... which is where your support comes into play...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of manga-inspired comic books will want to try Grey. Chapter 1.

[This comic book includes additional informative text and also includes a map of Ketiyama.]

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

https://thegreyroom.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreyroom_/
https://twitter.com/Hornett_


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

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#IReadsYou Review: FALLEN ANGELS #1

FALLEN ANGELS #1 (2020)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Bryan Hill
ART: Szymon Kudranski
COLORS: Frank D'Armata
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
EDITOR: Jordan D. White
EiC: Akria Yoshida a.k.a. “C.B. Cebulski”
COVER: Ashley Witter
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mark Bagley and John Dell with Israel Silva; Gabriele Dell'Otto; Greg Land with Frank D'Armata; Pepe Larraz with David Curiel; Rob Liefeld with Romul Fajardo, Jr.; and Tom Muller
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2020)

Rated T+

The X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby; Fallen Angels created by Jo Duffy and Kerry Gammill

“Bushido”

The X-Men are a Marvel Comics superhero team and franchise created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby.  The X-Men #1 (cover dated: September 1963) introduced readers to a professor and his students who had unique powers and abilities because they were “mutants.”

One of the X-Men spin-off titles was Fallen Angels.  Created by writer Jo Duffy and artist Kerry Gammill, Fallen Angels was more accurately a spin-off of the X-Men spin-off, The New Mutants.  The Fallen Angels was a team that featured two New Mutants, Sunspot and Warlock, and Boom-Boom of X-Factor.  The team's only appearance was in the eight-issue miniseries, Fallen Angels (cover dated:  April to November 1987).

This past summer (2019), writer Jonathan Hickman revamped, rebooted, and re-imagined the X-Men comic book franchise via a pair of six-issue comic book miniseries, House of X and Powers of X (pronounced “Powers of Ten”).  October 2019 welcomed “Dawn of X,” the launch of six new X-Men titles.  The new series are Excalibur, Marauders, New Mutants, X-Force, X-Men, and the subject of this review, Fallen Angels.

Fallen Angels 2020 is written by Bryan Hill; drawn by Szymon Kudranski; colored by Frank D'Armata, and lettered by Joe Sabino.  Fallen Angels focuses on the outsiders of Krakoa, mutants who don't belong in paradise because of their anti-heroic pasts.

Fallen Angels #1 (“Bushido”) opens as Kwannon does something bad.  Meanwhile, on Krakoa, the living island and mutant nation-state, Psylocke is in a state of meditation, in this new world of “Mutantkind,” unsure of her place in it.  But she gets a warning, a demand that she face a new threat, a god named “Apoth,” and it seems as if Psylocke's past is starting to come back to her.  Seeking the aid of Mr. Sinister and gathering the mutant warriors, Cable and X-23, to her side, Psylocke begins her personal mission of revenge.

I have come across commentary on the inter-webs that Fallen Angels is the best of the first wave of “Dawn of X” titles.  I am sorely disappointed to say that I have practically nothing to say about it.  The first issue barely registers with me, which is surprising.  I am a fan of Bryan Hill's writing, and his potent, forceful storytelling always moves something in me.  I'll check in on Fallen Angels later, but I still think that fans of this new X-Men direction should check out at least the first issue of all six titles.  In the meantime, I don't have a grade for Fallen Angels #1.

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 reprint and  syndication rights and fees.

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BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for August 26, 2020

BOOM! STUDIOS

APR201392    ADVENTURE TIME FIONNA & CAKE TP    $9.99
APR201337    ANGEL & SPIKE #13 CVR A MAIN PANOSIAN    $3.99
APR201338    ANGEL & SPIKE #13 CVR B MELKINOV VAR    $3.99
APR201339    ANGEL & SPIKE #13 CVR C VAR    $3.99
APR201384    GHOSTED IN LA #12 (OF 12) CVR A KEENAN    $3.99
APR201385    GHOSTED IN LA #12 (OF 12) CVR B GRACE VAR    $3.99
MAR201410    GOLDIE VANCE TP VOL 05 LARCENY IN LA LA LAND    $14.99
FEB201293    LOST CITY OF HERACLEON ORIGINAL GN HC    $26.99
JUN200779    MEGA MAN FULLY CHARGED #1 100 COPY INCV GOLD FOIL    $5.99
JUN200778    MEGA MAN FULLY CHARGED #1 50 COPY INCV SILVER FOIL    $5.99
JUN200774    MEGA MAN FULLY CHARGED #1 CVR A MAIN    $4.99
JUN200775    MEGA MAN FULLY CHARGED #1 CVR B FOIL INFANTE VAR    $5.99
JUN200776    MEGA MAN FULLY CHARGED #1 CVR C LEE VAR    $4.99
JUN200769    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #53 CVR A CAMPBELL    $3.99
JUN200772    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #53 FOIL MONTES VAR    $4.99
APR201362    RED MOTHER TP VOL 01    $14.99
APR201379    WICKED THINGS #4 CVR A SARIN    $3.99
APR201380    WICKED THINGS #4 CVR B ALLISON VAR    $3.99
JUL200864    WYND #3 (OF 5) CVR A MAIN    $4.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 26, 2020

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUN200334    CYCLE OF RED MOON TP VOL 01 HARVEST OF SAMHEIN (RES)    $14.99
DEC190317    DANGANRONPA 2 GOODBYE DESPAIR TP VOL 02    $12.99
JUN200333    EL CICLO DE LUNA ROJA TP VOL 01 COSECHA SAMHEIN (RES)    $14.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 26, 2020

DC COMICS

NOV190560    SPECTRE THE WRATH OF THE SPECTRE OMNIBUS HC    $125.00