MARVEL COMICS
APR210833 ALIEN #4 $3.99
APR210835 ALIEN #4 LASHLEY VAR $3.99
APR210734 CAPTAIN AMERICA ANNUAL #1 (RES) $4.99
APR210735 CAPTAIN AMERICA ANNUAL #1 CHAREST VAR (RES) $4.99
APR210737 CAPTAIN AMERICA ANNUAL #1 LIEFELD DEADPOOL 30TH VAR $4.99
APR210736 CAPTAIN AMERICA ANNUAL #1 RON LIM CONNECTING VAR (RES) $4.99
MAR210699 CAPTAIN AMERICA BICENTENNIAL BATTLES TP NEW TREASURY EDITION $29.99
APR210846 DEMON DAYS MARIKO #1 $4.99
APR210851 DEMON DAYS MARIKO #1 ASRAR VAR $4.99
APR210853 DEMON DAYS MARIKO #1 BARTEL VAR $4.99
APR210850 DEMON DAYS MARIKO #1 GURIHIRU VAR $4.99
APR210852 DEMON DAYS MARIKO #1 JS CAMPBELL VAR $4.99
APR210857 DEMON DAYS MARIKO #1 SAKAI VAR $4.99
APR210855 DEMON DAYS MARIKO #1 VEREGGE VAR $4.99
APR210864 FANTASTIC FOUR #33 $3.99
APR210868 FANTASTIC FOUR #33 LIEFELD DEADPOOL 30TH VAR $3.99
APR210867 FANTASTIC FOUR #33 RUAN SPIDER-MAN VILLAINS VAR $3.99
APR210706 HEROES REBORN #7 (OF 7) $4.99
APR210709 HEROES REBORN #7 (OF 7) BAGLEY CONNECTING TRADING CARD VAR $4.99
APR210710 HEROES REBORN #7 (OF 7) CHRISTOPHER ACTION FIGURE VAR $4.99
APR210711 HEROES REBORN #7 (OF 7) COELLO STORMBREAKERS VAR $4.99
DEC200637 HEROES REBORN OMNIBUS HC BOOTH CVR NEW PTG $125.00
DEC200638 HEROES REBORN OMNIBUS HC LEE DM VAR NEW PTG $125.00
APR210726 HEROES REBORN WEAPON X AND FINAL FLIGHT #1 $4.99
APR210727 HEROES REBORN WEAPON X AND FINAL FLIGHT #1 YARDIN VAR $4.99
APR210876 MIGHTY VALKYRIES #3 (OF 5) $3.99
APR210879 MIGHTY VALKYRIES #3 (OF 5) GONZALES SPIDER-MAN VILLAINS VAR $3.99
APR210877 MIGHTY VALKYRIES #3 (OF 5) JIMENEZ PRIDE MONTH VAR $3.99
APR210892 MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #27 $3.99
APR210893 MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #27 BESCH SPIDER-MAN VILLAINS VAR $3.99
DEC200639 MMW DAREDEVIL HC VOL 15 $75.00
DEC200640 MMW DAREDEVIL HC VOL 15 DM VAR ED 307 $75.00
APR210781 NEW MUTANTS #19 DAUTERMAN CONNECTING VAR GALA $3.99
APR210779 NEW MUTANTS #19 GALA $3.99
APR210780 NEW MUTANTS #19 LINS CHARACTER DESIGN VAR GALA $3.99
APR210747 PLANET-SIZED X-MEN #1 DAUTERMAN CONNECTING VAR GALA $4.99
APR210743 PLANET-SIZED X-MEN #1 DODSON VAR GALA $4.99
APR210742 PLANET-SIZED X-MEN #1 GALA $4.99
APR210744 PLANET-SIZED X-MEN #1 LARRAZ VAR GALA $4.99
APR210748 PLANET-SIZED X-MEN #1 LIM X-MEN 90S VAR GALA $4.99
DEC200645 POWER PACK CLASSIC OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 BOGDANOVE CVR $125.00
DEC200646 POWER PACK CLASSIC OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 BRIGMAN DM VAR $125.00
MAR210707 POWER PACK TP POWERS THAT BE $15.99
APR210954 STAR WARS #14 BYRNE PRIDE VAR $3.99
APR210957 STAR WARS #14 CHRISTOPHER ACTION FIGURE VAR $3.99
APR210955 STAR WARS #14 SPROUSE LUCASFILM 50TH VAR $3.99
APR210953 STAR WARS #14 WOBH $3.99
MAR210700 THOR BY DONNY CATES TP VOL 02 PREY $24.99
MAR210711 THOR BY JASON AARON COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 03 $39.99
FEB210492 VENOM #35 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210501 VENOM #35 ART ADAMS VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210500 VENOM #35 BAGLEY VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210495 VENOM #35 BIANCHI VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210502 VENOM #35 GLEASON VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210503 VENOM #35 HOTZ HANS VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210493 VENOM #35 JOCK VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210506 VENOM #35 KLEIN VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210507 VENOM #35 MR GARCIN VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210505 VENOM #35 RAMOS VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210497 VENOM #35 STEGMAN VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210496 VENOM #35 TORQUE VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
FEB210504 VENOM #35 VEREGGE VAR 200TH ISSUE $9.99
APR210777 X-CORP #2 DAUTERMAN CONNECTING VAR $3.99
APR210778 X-CORP #2 FOCHE CHARACTER DESIGN VAR $3.99
APR210775 X-CORP #2 GALA $3.99
Monday, June 14, 2021
Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 16, 2021
Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for June 16, 2021
FEB210970 21ST CENTURIONS #5 $5.95
APR212110 21ST CENTURY BOYS GN VOL 01 PERFECT ED URASAWA $19.99
APR211836 AGGRETSUKO MEET HER WORLD #3 CVR A AMIN $3.99
APR211837 AGGRETSUKO MEET HER WORLD #3 CVR B HICKEY $3.99
APR211541 ANNE BONNIE #11 $3.99
MAR211678 ASCENCIA #5 $3.99
MAR218082 ASCENCIA #5 CVR B PARILLO NUDE VIRGIN (MR) $3.99
APR218146 ASCENCIA #5 CVR B PARILLO NUDE VIRGIN 2ND PTG $3.99
SEP201204 BATMAN #100 HAESER SGN & RMRK $69.99
APR211877 BATTLER BRITTON PRATT WAR PICTURE LIBRARY HC $19.99
MAR211689 BELLE SIRENS ONE SHOT CVR A WHITE $5.99
MAR211690 BELLE SIRENS ONE SHOT CVR B VITORINO $5.99
MAR211691 BELLE SIRENS ONE SHOT CVR C CRIS DELARA $5.99
APR211886 BLACK FRIDAY #3 (OF 3) (MR) $3.99
FEB211308 BLEEDING SKULL $34.99
APR212113 BLUE FLAG GN VOL 08 $12.99
MAR211282 CARMEN SANDIEGO GN VOL 04 NEED FOR SPEED CAPER $10.99
MAR211283 CARMEN SANDIEGO HC GN VOL 04 NEED FOR SPEED CAPER $21.99
MAR211841 CASE STUDY OF VANITAS GN VOL 08 $13.00
MAR211345 CHASING THE DRAGON #4 (OF 5) CVR A MENTON3 $3.99
MAR211752 CHOBITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY ED HC VOL 04 $24.99
APR211318 CIMMERIAN IRON SHADOWS IN MOON #3 CVR A CHRISTIAN DIBARI (MR $3.99
APR211319 CIMMERIAN IRON SHADOWS IN MOON #3 CVR B AUGUSTIN (MR) $3.99
APR211320 CIMMERIAN IRON SHADOWS IN MOON #3 CVR C JOSEP HOMS (MR) $3.99
APR211321 CIMMERIAN IRON SHADOWS IN MOON #3 CVR D FRITZ CASAS (MR) $3.99
MAR211559 COLD BLOODED TP (MR) $9.99
MAR211347 COLD DEAD WAR #3 (OF 4) (RES) (MR) $3.99
MAR211845 DEAD MOUNT DEATH PLAY GN VOL 05 $13.00
APR211536 DESTINY NY #4 (MR) $3.99
DEC191628 DF WOLVERINE #1 SGN KUBERT $49.99
APR211975 DOCTOR WHO MISSY #3 CVR A LARSON $3.99
APR211976 DOCTOR WHO MISSY #3 CVR B PHOTO $3.99
APR211977 DOCTOR WHO MISSY #3 CVR C CARANFA $3.99
APR212102 FIST OF THE NORTH STAR HC VOL 01 $19.99
APR212114 GOLDEN KAMUY GN VOL 22 $12.99
MAR211202 GREAT GATSBY #1 CVR A COELHO $4.99
MAR211203 GREAT GATSBY #1 CVR B BLANK SKETCH CVR $5.99
DEC201667 HEART SHAPED TEARS ONE SHOT (MR) $24.99
APR211876 JUDGE DREDD GUATEMALA TP $19.99
APR211352 KAIJU SCORE TP VOL 01 $16.99
APR211872 KITTY QUEST GN VOL 01 $12.99
APR211873 KITTY QUEST HC GN VOL 01 $20.99
JAN211703 KNIGHT OF ICE GN VOL 06 $12.99
APR211791 LEGEND OF AUNTIE PO GN $12.99
APR211792 LEGEND OF AUNTIE PO HC GN $22.99
MAR211513 MAGIC TREE HOUSE HC GN VOL 01 DINOSAURS BEFORE DARK $16.99
APR212112 MAISON IKKOKU COLLECTORS EDITION TP VOL 04 $24.99
FEB211688 MANGA CLASSICS DRACULA SC NEW PTG $19.99
MAR211544 MIDNIGHT SKY #8 CVR A VAN DOMELEN $3.99
MAR211545 MIDNIGHT SKY #8 CVR B VAN DOMELEN LOGANS RUN HOMAGE $3.99
APR211969 MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL ELECTRIFIED TESLA #3 CVR A MACK (MR) $3.99
APR211970 MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL ELECTRIFIED TESLA #3 CVR B PHOTO (MR) $3.99
APR211971 MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL ELECTRIFIED TESLA #3 CVR C CARANFA (MR) $3.99
APR211773 MISCHIEF AND MAYHEM GN VOL 01 BORN TO BE BAD $12.99
MAR211519 MONSTER FRIENDS YR GN $12.99
MAR218006 MONTANA DIARY ONE SHOT $5.00
NOV201062 NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #180 $3.99
MAR218081 NOTTINGHAM #1 (OF 5) 3RD PTG $3.99
FEB218449 NOTTINGHAM #2 (OF 5) 2ND PTG $3.99
APR211806 NOTTINGHAM #4 (OF 5) $3.99
APR211669 NOW #10 COMICS ANTHOLOGY (MR) $12.99
APR212060 ONE SHOT STORY OF BULLYING GN $12.99
APR212115 OOKU INNER CHAMBERS GN VOL 18 $12.99
MAR211759 PERFECT WORLD GN VOL 06 (RES) $12.99
APR211895 PERHAPANAUTS SECOND CHANCES #1 $3.99
APR211345 PROJECT PATRON #3 $3.99
APR211511 RESISTANCE UPRISING #3 $3.99
MAR211670 RESONANT #10 (MR) $3.99
APR212111 RWBY OFFICIAL MANGA GN VOL 03 BEACON ARC $12.99
APR212272 SCHOOL FROZEN IN TIME GN VOL 02 $12.95
APR211340 SEVEN SWORDS #1 CVR A CLARKE $4.99
APR211869 SHARK AND BOT YR GN VOL 02 SLEEPAWAY CHAMPS $9.99
APR211860 SHOW ME HISTORY HELEN KELLER INSPIRATION TO EVERYONE $12.99
APR211342 SILVER CITY #2 $3.99
APR211292 SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #1 BLANK COVER $10.00
APR211285 SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #1 CVR A DERRICK CHEW $3.99
APR211286 SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #1 CVR B KENDRICK LIM $3.99
APR211287 SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #1 CVR C LEIRIX LI $3.99
APR211288 SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #1 CVR D PAQUETTE $3.99
APR211289 SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #1 CVR E MERCADO $3.99
APR211290 SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #1 CVR F ANDIE TONG $3.99
APR211291 SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #1 CVR G ALQUIE $3.99
APR211898 STAKE #4 CVR A FANTINI (MR) $3.99
FEB211677 STAR CROSSED GN VOL 02 $12.99
JUN201417 SUPER MAGIC FOREST GN $16.95
MAR211764 THOSE NOT SO SWEET BOYS GN VOL 03 $10.99
MAR211857 TRIAGE X GN VOL 21 (MR) $14.00
APR212019 VISITOR #6 (OF 6) CVR A PINNA (RES) $3.99
APR212020 VISITOR #6 (OF 6) CVR B QUAH (RES) $3.99
APR212021 VISITOR #6 (OF 6) CVR D PRE-ORDER BUNDLE ED (RES) $3.99
MAR211736 WORLDS END HAREM GN VOL 11 (MR) $13.99
APR211580 X-MEN LEGENDS #1 SGN KIETH VAR $50.00
MAGAZINES
MAR211639 ALTER EGO #170 $9.95
FEB211579 BACK ISSUE #127 $9.95
FEB211580 BRICKJOURNAL #68 $9.95
APR211589 COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1765 $PI
MAR211418 LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #46 $10.95
APR211802 LOCUS #725 $8.99
FEB211581 RETROFAN MAGAZINE #15 $9.95
APR212051 VAMPIRESS CARMILLA MAGAZINE #4 (MR) $5.95
BOOKS
MAR211613 DOUBLE DOWN NOVEL SC $13.95
APR211937 FINAL FANTASY XIV HEAVENSWARD ART OF ISHGARD SC SCARS OF WAR $39.99
APR211936 FINAL FANTASY XIV HEAVENSWARD ART OF ISHGARD SC STONE STEEL $39.99
MAR211906 LEARN TO DRAW MANGA MEN SC $16.99
APR211608 MARVEL SPIDER-MAN SWING INTO ACTION HC $17.99
APR211607 MARVEL SPIDER-MAN SWING INTO ACTION SC $7.99
APR211874 MELLYBEAN & WICKED WIZARD GN $12.99
APR211875 MELLYBEAN & WICKED WIZARD HC GN $20.99
OCT201289 PETE VON SHOLLY HISTORY OF MONSTERS HC $29.99
MAR211323 SPIDER MAN LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK FAVORITES $8.99
APR211602 STAR WARS LEGENDS DARTH BANE PATH OF DESTRUCTION SC $16.00
APR211603 STAR WARS LEGENDS HEIR TO THE EMPIRE SC $16.00
APR211604 STAR WARS LEGENDS SHATTERPOINT SC $16.00
MAR211320 WALT DISNEYS FOX & HOUND LITTLE GOLDEN BOARD BOOK $7.99
DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for June 15, 2021
DC COMICS:
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Mikel Janin), 4.99
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Amanda Conner Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #5 (Of 6)(Cover C Donald Mustard Premium Card Stock Variant E), AR
Batman Volume 3 Ghost Stories HC, $24.99
Catwoman #32 (Cover A Robson Rocha), $3.99
Catwoman #32 (Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), $4.99
DCeased Hope At World’s End HC, $24.99
Flash #771 (Cover A Brandon Peterson), $3.99
Flash #771 (Cover B Brett Booth Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Future State The Next Batman TP, $34.99
Legends Of The Dark Knight #2 (Cover A Darick Robertson & Diego Rodriguez), $3.99
Legends Of The Dark Knight #2 (Cover B Riley Rossmo Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Legends Of The Dark Knight #2 (Cover C Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), AR
Nightwing #81 (Cover A Bruno Redondo), $3.99
Nightwing #81 (Cover B Rafael Grassetti Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Nightwing #81 (Cover C Travis Moore Pride Month Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Represent #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Darran Robinson), $9.99
Scooby-Doo Where Are You #110 (Cover A Randy Elliott), $2.99
Static Season One #1 (Cover A Khary Randolph), $3.99
Static Season One #1 (Cover B Shawn Martinbrough Old School Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Static Season One #1 (Cover C Nikolas Draper-Ivey New School Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Static Season One #1 (Cover D Denys Cowan Card Stock Variant), AR
Static Season One #1 (Cover E Olivier Coipel Team Card Stock Variant), AR
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #1 (Of 8)(Cover A Bilquis Evely), $4.99
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #1 (Of 8)(Cover B Gary Frank), $4.99
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #1 (Of 8)(Cover C Blank Variant), $5.99
Superman Red And Blue #4 (Of 6)(Cover A John Romita Jr. & Klaus Janson), $5.99
Superman Red And Blue #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Walter Simonson), $5.99
Superman Red And Blue #4 (Of 6)(Cover C Alexander Lozano), $5.99
Teen Titans Beast Boy HC, $19.99
Truth And Justice #5 (Cover A Kris Anka), $4.99
Truth And Justice #5 (Cover B Yasmine Putri Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Friday, June 11, 2021
#IReadsYou Review: THE SCUMBAG #4
THE SCUMBAG #4
IMAGE COMICS/Giant Generator
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Rick Remender
ART: Eric Powell
COLORS: Moreno Dinisio
LETTERS: Rus Wooton
DESIGN: Erika Schnatz
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Eric Powell
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Roland Boschi with Moreno Dinisio; Duncan Fegredo
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(January 2021)
Rated “M/ Mature”
“Snowblower Indemnity” Part 4
The Scumbag is a comic book series from writer Rick Remender. Described as a “comedy espionage series” by publisher Image Comics, The Scumbag's tagline reads, “The fate of the world rests in the hands of the worst person on it!” The series features a rotating crew of illustrators. Artist Eric Powell; colorist Moreno Dinisio; and letterer Rus Wooton complete the current creative team.
The Scumbag introduces Ernie Ray Clementine. He is a rundown, raggedy, filthy man. He is a profane, illiterate, drug-addicted biker and ne'er-do-well with a fifth-grade education. However, he meets Sister Mary and “Central Authority” and inadvertently absorbs the power-imbuing serum called “the Formula Maxima.” Now, Ernie is the only thing standing between humanity and total Armageddon... because he has suddenly become the world's most powerful super-spy.
The Scumbag #4 opens in the sky in a flying car with Ernie Ray, Sister Mary, and “A.I. doll,” Pam. They plan to infiltrate a party being thrown at the mansion of “The Prosoma,” leader of the reactionary cabal, Scorpionus. However, “Mr. Prosoma” isn't clueless about his party being crashed, and he has an offer to make.
THE LOWDOWN: I didn't have a lot to say about The Scumbag #1. I had a little more to say about The Scumbag #2. I said that with The Scumbag #3 the series had hit its stride. The Scumbag #4 may offer some of Rick Remender's sharpest political, social, and racial commentary yet.
Remender distillates white privilege, the one percent, reactionary millionaires and billionaires, and the titans of industry, tech, and fossil fuels into one self-promoting asshole. It is scary that there are people similar to Prosoma in the real world, but Remender has turned this type into a most excellent comic book villain.
Artist Eric Powell and colorist Moreno Dinisio have a field day with the orgy scenes; I'm still shocked. And letterer Rus Wooton is quite good at lettering crazy talk, of which there is a lot. We're approaching the end of the first story arc, so this is no time to stop reading The Scumbag.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Rick Remender, of mature comedy, and of reprobate-type anti-hero lead characters will want The Scumbag.
8 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
https://twitter.com/Remender
http://www.giantgenerator.com/
https://twitter.com/lewislarosa
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/
The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
---------------
Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
#IReadsYou Review: UNCANNY INHUMANS #1
UNCANNY INHUMANS #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
WRITER: Charles Soule
PENCILS: Steve McNiven; Brandon Peterson
INKS: Jay Leisten; Brandon Peterson
COLORS: Sunny Cho; Nolan Woodard
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten with Justin Ponsor
VARIANT COVERS: Jim Cheung with Justin Ponsor; Art Adams with Richard Isanove; Art Adams (Kirby Monster Variant); Skottie Young; Adi Granov; Damien Scott (Hop Hop variant); Kalel Sean costumed by Brian A. Parsley and photographed by Judy Stephens (cosplay variant)
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2015)
Rated T+
Inhumans created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
The Inhumans are a race of super-humans in Marvel Comics. Created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, they first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 (cover dated: December 1965). The Inhumans are a strain of humanity that began with genetic manipulation by visitors to Earth from an alien civilization (the Kree), long ago in human prehistory. Exposure to the mutagenic Terrigen Mist (a process known as Terrigenesis) reveals if a person is an Inhuman.
Little more than a B-list character group, the Inhumans are in ascendancy in the Marvel Universe, especially over the last four years. In 2013, Marvel even launched a new comic book series, entitled Inhuman. The launch of the “All-New, All-Different Marvel” sees the Inhumans continuing to rise to prominence. The latest Inhuman comic book series is Uncanny Inhumans. This series is written by Charles Soule; drawn by Steve McNiven (pencils) and Jay Leisten (inks), colored by Sunny Cho; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.
Uncanny Inhumans #1 opens the series with several sub-plots. It is dough boys and dinosaurs when Triton and Reader (and his dog Forey) join Black Bolt in a time-traveling mission. This trip, however, breaks a deal Black Bolt made with Kang the Conqueror, and the latter strikes back. Also, Medusa and a group of new Inhumans (NuHumans) are engaged in a Central Park battle against the Chitauri.
Later, Medusa looks to the X-Man, Beast, to use his scientific knowledge to end the friction between mutants and Inhumans. Plus, a visit from the Human Torch exacerbates marital discord. Plus, in a bonus story, Frank, Flint, and Naja travel to Morocco to recover a lost Inhuman.
For a long time now, first issues of comic books that work on a five or six issue story arc are little more than introductions to the story and characters. They are also often infuriatingly vague. That is not the case with Uncanny Inhumans. Writer Charles Soule has a way of making practically every page not only satisfying to read, but also intriguing enough to encourage the readers to come back for more.
The drama is convincing, and Soule gives the characters interesting personalities and/or engaging individual melodramas. Medusa/Beast: I want more of that. Black Bolt: it's all good. I am not ashamed to say that Soule makes me feel like a fanboy about the titles he writers.
Of course, he has a great art team. Steve McNiven has mastered making style work as high drama. McNiven pencils are a series of flourishes and bells-and-whistles that come together to convey character, setting, plot, and drama. In the back-up story, artist Brandon Peterson does something similar, but I'm not going to play that game of who is better – McNiven or Peterson. I must admit, however, that I prefer Nolan Woodard's beautiful colors for Peterson's art, although I am not slighting Sunny Cho's excellent hues on the main story.
I'm ready for more Uncanny Inhumans, and if you listen to my recommendation and buy Uncanny Inhumans #1, you will be ready for more, also.
A-
Reviewed by Leroy Douesseaux 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.
---------------------------
Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
#IReadsYou Review: GREY. CHAPTER 5
GREY. CHAPTER 5
THE GREY ROOM
STORY: Kris Hornett
ART: Ardee Arollado
SPECIAL PROJECTS ART: Kenet Guevarra
EDITOR: Lisa Taylor
COVER: Nicholas Sen
36pp, B&W, $10.00 U.S. (print), $5.99 U.S. (March 2021)
Age Rating: 15+ Only
Chapter 5: Living Portraits
Grey is an independent comic book series from writer Kris Hornett and artist Ardee Arollado. Published by The Grey Room, Grey is a hybrid, a combination of an American comic book format and Japanese manga. Grey is similar to what was once called “OEL manga” or “original English language” manga. These were American graphic novels in which the storytelling borrowed or mimicked the aesthetics and sensibilities of Japanese manga (comics).
Grey is set in the realm of Ketiyama (apparently an archipelago) and takes place some time after an event known as “the Sonoma Incident.” This outbreak of the lethal “Moon Virus” on Nacirema, one of Ketiyama's islands, led to 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.” The members of this team of five agents are sworn to maintain moral balance and to enforce the law. These agents are also able to manipulate their “prana” (“life energy”).
The agents of Nimbus are Samara Asuhara, Kouken Masimuto, Shuyin Hagamuri, Manu Yagyu, and Kale Schaefer. Belisia Asuhara, Samara's sister, is their handler and the creator of Nimbus.
Grey Chapter 5 opens in the home of Asuna and Yuta Yagyu – recently murdered. It is, however, an unusual death, as they have been posed in a process involving prana. Now, they are “living portraits,” and it is up to Saya Yagyu – the Shriker of Malta – to discover who killed members of her family. Meanwhile, the killer has absconded with her niece, Asuka, Asuna and Yuta's daughter.
The agents of Nimbus have joined her in the investigation, and Samara has seen “living portraits” in her past. In fact, Samara knows who the killer is, and she and Shuyin prepare to lead the mission to bring in the killer. Not everyone is happy with that plan, though.
THE LOWDOWN: The Grey Room is about to release the first trade paperback collection of Grey, entitled Grey: Volume 1. This TPB will reprint Grey Chapters 1 to 5, as well as, Chapter 3.5: Astrid and Chapter 4.5: The Right Thing, both “special release chapters.” I think this collection will be the best way to read the series, as it will reinforce to readers how conceptually well-developed Grey is.
As I have previously written, when readers start from the beginning, they discover that the world in which Grey is set has a complex history. Readers get to watch the authors build a world in front of them and also to experience some other elements of the series, such as its engaging mysteries and sense of discovery.
The one thing I do want to emphasize, which Grey Chapter 5 also emphasizes, is the strength of the characters in this series. First, each character is independent in the sense that he or she has his or her own motivations, desires, and goals. Hornett presents characters that are not beholding to other characters for their worth. Certainly, one character can affect another via the action, but it is good that supporting characters and cameo players don't feel like mere window dressing in the dramas of Grey's most important characters.
The best example of that takes place in the second half of Chapter 5, which I want to be careful not to spoil. Hornett has the Nimbus characters and investigators confront one another about various issues regarding the murder investigations. Hornett does not depict any characters as “backing down,” which makes them all appear important. Readers are welcomed to pick a favorite character or even assume a character is the lead, but like Japanese manga, this American manga respects the idea of an ensemble cast with many quality characters.
Ardee Arollado's art, which gets more powerful with each chapter, conveys this in the way he composes the characters. Sometimes, his art and storytelling seem like impartial observers, presenting the drama in large-size panels, capturing a stage in which each character has the power to affect the drama.
So after praising the characters, I have to heartily recommend Grey to you, dear readers. And with this new trade paperback, you can still get in on Grey's intriguing ground floor.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of manga-inspired comic books and of good science fiction comic books will want to read Grey.
[This comic book includes three pages of additional informative text pieces.]
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
Grey #5 and all issues of the series can be read at comiXology. Readers can also purchase all issues of the series and the new first trade collection, Grey: Volume 1 here or at https://thegreyroom.org/.
https://thegreyroom.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreyroom_/
Kris Hornett: https://twitter.com/Hornett_
Lisa Taylor: https://twitter.com/Persuasion513
https://www.instagram.com/kero.beroz/?hl=en
The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
----------------
Monday, June 7, 2021
BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for June 9, 2021
APR218218 DUNE HOUSE ATREIDES #1 (OF 12) 4TH PTG PRAMANIK $4.99
APR218217 DUNE HOUSE ATREIDES #2 (OF 12) 3RD PTG PRAMANIK $4.99
APR218216 DUNE HOUSE ATREIDES #3 (OF 12) 2ND PTG PRAMANIK $4.99
APR218215 DUNE HOUSE ATREIDES #4 (OF 12) 2ND PTG PRAMANIK $4.99
APR218259 EVE #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG MIGYEONG $3.99
APR211239 EVE #2 (OF 5) CVR A ANINDITO $3.99
APR211240 EVE #2 (OF 5) CVR B MORA $3.99
APR211232 MAGIC THE GATHERING (MTG) #3 CVR A SCALERA $4.99
APR211233 MAGIC THE GATHERING (MTG) #3 CVR B HIDDEN PLANESWALKER VAR $4.99
APR211234 MAGIC THE GATHERING (MTG) #3 CVR C BLANK SKETCH CVR $4.99
APR211192 MIGHTY MORPHIN #8 CVR A LEE $3.99
APR211193 MIGHTY MORPHIN #8 CVR B LEGACY VAR CARLINI $3.99
APR211194 MIGHTY MORPHIN #8 CVR C BLANK SKETCH CVR $3.99
APR211279 ORCS #5 (OF 6) CVR A LARSEN $4.99
APR211280 ORCS #5 (OF 6) CVR B BOO $4.99
APR211255 PROCTOR VALLEY ROAD #4 (OF 5) CVR A FRANQUIZ (MR) $3.99
APR211256 PROCTOR VALLEY ROAD #4 (OF 5) CVR B WILDGOOSE (MR) $3.99
FEB210874 SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN TP VOL 03 $14.99
APR211272 WYND #7 CVR A DIALYNAS $4.99
APR211273 WYND #7 CVR B GONZALES $4.99