Monday, July 19, 2021

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 21, 2021

MARVEL COMICS

MAY210569    ALIEN #5    $3.99
MAY210571    ALIEN #5 GIANGIORDANO VAR    $3.99
MAY210572    ALIEN #5 LARROCA VAR    $3.99
MAY210625    CAPTAIN MARVEL #30    $4.99
MAY210627    CAPTAIN MARVEL #30 LIEFELD DEADPOOL 30TH VAR    $4.99
MAY210628    CAPTAIN MARVEL #30 MOMOKO MARVEL ANIME VAR    $4.99
APR210998    DOCTOR STRANGE EPIC COLLECTION TP MASTER MYSTIC ARTS NEW PTG    $39.99
MAY210520    EXTREME CARNAGE PHAGE #1    $3.99
MAY210522    EXTREME CARNAGE PHAGE #1 JOHNSON CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
MAY210523    EXTREME CARNAGE PHAGE #1 YOUNG VAR    $3.99
APR210008    FCBD 2021 MARVEL GOLD AVENGERS HULK #1 (Net)    $PI
APR210031    FCBD 2021 MARVEL SILVER SPIDER-MAN VENOM #1 (Net)    $PI
MAY210566    GAMMA FLIGHT #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAY210567    GAMMA FLIGHT #2 (OF 5) PACHECO CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
MAY210568    GAMMA FLIGHT #2 (OF 5) YOUNG VAR    $3.99
MAR210714    GENERATION X EPIC COLLECTION TP BACK TO SCHOOL    $39.99
MAY210644    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #16 ANHL    $3.99
MAY210646    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #16 JIMENEZ VAR ANHL    $3.99
MAY210645    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #16 MOMOKO MARVEL ANIME VAR ANHL    $3.99
APR210984    KING IN BLACK NAMOR TP    $15.99
MAY210607    MARAUDERS #22    $3.99
MAY210608    MARAUDERS #22 PAREL VAR    $3.99
MAY210617    MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #28    $3.99
MAY210618    MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #28 COELLO CAPTAIN AMERICA 80TH VAR    $3.99
JAN210736    MMW CAPTAIN AMERICA HC VOL 13    $75.00
JAN210737    MMW CAPTAIN AMERICA HC VOL 13 DM VAR ED 309    $75.00
MAY210540    MOON KNIGHT #1    $4.99
MAY210551    MOON KNIGHT #1 DELLOTTO VAR    $4.99
MAY210542    MOON KNIGHT #1 GIST VAR    $4.99
MAY210550    MOON KNIGHT #1 LARRAZ CAPTAIN AMERICA 80TH VAR    $4.99
MAY210549    MOON KNIGHT #1 NAUCK HEADSHOT VAR    $4.99
MAY210541    MOON KNIGHT #1 ROMITA JR VAR    $4.99
MAY210545    MOON KNIGHT #1 YOUNG VAR    $4.99
MAY210544    MOON KNIGHT #1 ZAFFINO VAR    $4.99
MAY210605    NEW MUTANTS #20    $3.99
MAY210606    NEW MUTANTS #20 GO VAR    $3.99
MAR210717    PUNISHER EPIC COLLECTION TP RETURN TO BIG NOTHING    $44.99
MAY210652    REPTIL #3 (OF 4)    $3.99
MAY210653    REPTIL #3 (OF 4) BLAS VAR    $3.99
MAY210662    SAVAGE AVENGERS #22    $3.99
MAY210690    STAR WARS DARTH VADER #14 CAMUNCOLI HEADSHOT VAR WOBH    $3.99
MAY210691    STAR WARS DARTH VADER #14 SPROUSE LUCASFILM 50TH VAR WOBH    $3.99
MAY210689    STAR WARS DARTH VADER #14 WOBH    $3.99
MAY210675    STAR WARS WAR BOUNTY HUNTERS JABBA HUTT #1    $4.99
MAY210677    STAR WARS WAR BOUNTY HUNTERS JABBA HUTT #1 CHANG VAR    $4.99
MAY210676    STAR WARS WAR BOUNTY HUNTERS JABBA HUTT #1 HEADSHOT VAR    $4.99
MAY210556    THOR ANNUAL #1 INFD    $4.99
MAY210557    THOR ANNUAL #1 RON LIM CONNECTING VAR INFD    $4.99
APR210992    UNION BRITANNIA PROJECT TP    $15.99
MAY210587    X-MEN LEGENDS #5    $3.99
MAY210589    X-MEN LEGENDS #5 CHRISTOPHER ACTION FIGURE VAR    $3.99
MAY210588    X-MEN LEGENDS #5 NAUCK PUZZLE VAR    $3.99


Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 21, 2021

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAY211298    ALICE IN LEATHERLAND #4 (MR)    $3.99
MAY211305    ANNE BONNIE #12    $3.99
APR212050    ASCENCIA #6    $3.99
APR211904    BALLAD OF THE BROKEN HEART GN (MR)    $9.99
MAY211864    BEASTARS GN VOL 13 (MR)    $12.99
MAY211562    BECSTAR #3    $3.99
MAY211177    BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #295    $7.99
MAY211174    BETTY & VERONICA WHAT IF TP    $12.99
APR211298    BREAKER OMNIBUS GN VOL 01 (MR)    $19.99
APR211665    CELESTIA HC    $29.99
APR212265    CHERI MY DESTINY TP (MR)    $12.99
MAY211888    CHILDREN OF WHALES GN VOL 17    $12.99
MAY211941    CHUU CHUU MACARON LONELY PIE GN (MR)    $14.95
FEB210933    CIMMERIAN HC VOL 02 FROST GIANTS DAUGHTER (MR)    $24.99
MAY211664    DARK AGE #7 (OF 7) (RES)    $3.95
MAY211299    DESTINY NY #5 (MR)    $3.99
DEC201407    DF RORSCHACH #1 CSA EXC KING SGN    $69.99
MAR211889    DRUGSTORE IN ANOTHER WORLD CHEAT PHARMACIST GN VOL 02    $12.99
APR211680    DRUNKEN DREAM & OTHER STORIES HC (NEW PTG) (NOTE PRICE)    $29.99
MAY211297    EVERFROST #2    $3.99
MAR211300    FIFTH QUARTER GN    $12.99
MAR211301    FIFTH QUARTER HC GN    $21.99
MAR211353    FITZ AND CLEO YR GN    $12.99
MAY211673    GODS OF BRUTALITY #1 (OF 4) CVR A WELSER    $3.99
OCT201110    GOLD DIGGER #282    $3.99
MAR211302    HAWKING GN    $22.99
MAY211866    HELLS PARADISE JIGOKURAKU GN VOL 09 (MR)    $12.99
APR212266    HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SEEMS ANGRY    $12.99
MAR211303    HISTORY COMICS GN AMERICAN BISON    $12.99
MAR211304    HISTORY COMICS HC GN AMERICAN BISON    $19.99
JUN211402    HP LOVECRAFT THE TOMB TP    $9.99
SEP200987    I MAKE BOYS CRY #2 CVR A TYNDALL    $4.99
SEP200988    I MAKE BOYS CRY #2 CVR B BROOMALL HOLOGRAPHIC FOIL LOGO    $9.99
SEP200989    I MAKE BOYS CRY #2 CVR C GREEN WRAPAROUND LENTICULAR    $19.99
MAR211892    IF ITS FOR MY DAUGHTER DEFEAT DEMON LORD GN VOL 06    $12.99
MAY211300    ILLEGAL CARGO GN    $24.99
MAR211305    ISLAND BOOK GN VOL 02 INFINITE LAND    $24.99
MAR211563    KNOCK OUT TRUE STORY OF EMILE GRIFFITH GN    $22.99
FEB211160    LAST SONG #4 (MR)    $4.99
MAY211676    LUNAR LADIES #1 (OF 3) CVR A RENAE DE LIZ    $3.99
MAY211055    MARIA LLOVETS EROS PSYCHE #5 CVR A GUILLEM MARCH (MR)    $3.99
MAY211056    MARIA LLOVETS EROS PSYCHE #5 CVR B MARIA LLOVET (MR)    $3.99
MAY211057    MARIA LLOVETS EROS PSYCHE #5 CVR C MARIKA CRESTA (MR)    $3.99
MAY211058    MARIA LLOVETS EROS PSYCHE #5 CVR D SABINE RICH (MR)    $3.99
MAY211274    MARJORIE FINNEGAN TEMPORAL CRIMINAL #3 CVR A CLARKE (MR)    $3.99
MAY211275    MARJORIE FINNEGAN TEMPORAL CRIMINAL #3 CVR B NSFW CLARKE (MR    $4.99
MAY211862    MASHLE MAGIC & MUSCLES GN VOL 01    $9.99
MAR211894    MERMAN IN MY TUB GN VOL 08 (RES)    $12.99
MAY211746    MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL ELECTRIFIED TESLA #4 CVR A HASPIEL (MR)    $3.99
MAY211747    MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL ELECTRIFIED TESLA #4 CVR B PHOTO (MR)    $3.99
MAY211748    MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL ELECTRIFIED TESLA #4 CVR C BUHLER (MR)    $3.99
MAY211679    MURDER HOBO CHAOTIC NEUTRAL #2 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
MAY211867    NO 5 GN VOL 01    $22.99
MAY211563    NOTTINGHAM #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAY211125    OKAY WITCH & HUNGRY SHADOW GN    $12.99
MAY211126    OKAY WITCH & HUNGRY SHADOW HC GN VOL 02    $20.99
MAR211449    ONE LINE HC    $24.99
MAR211354    PAWCASSO GN    $14.99
MAR211355    PAWCASSO HC GN    $21.99
MAY211112    PROJECT PATRON #4    $3.99
MAY211599    RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS HOTEL IMMORTAL #1 CVR A ELLERBY (MR)    $4.99
MAY211602    RICK AND MORTY RICKS NEW HAT #2 CVR A STRESING    $3.99
MAY211603    RICK AND MORTY RICKS NEW HAT #2 CVR B STERN    $3.99
MAY211511    RIVER OF INK TP    $22.99
MAY211865    RWBY OFFICIAL MANGA ANTHOLOGY GN VOL 05    $12.99
MAR211897    SADAKO SAN & SADAKO CHAN GN    $13.99
MAY211124    SECOND COMING ONLY BEGOTTEN SON #3 (RES)    $3.99
MAY211113    SILVER CITY #3    $3.99
APR212151    SLASHER MAIDENS GN VOL 03    $13.00
JAN211592    SNOWPIERCER PREQUEL VOL 01 EXTINCTION    $16.99
APR212135    SOLO LEVELING GN VOL 02 (MR)    $20.00
MAY211132    SPELLBINDING EPISODES OF PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN TP    $14.99
MAY211685    STAKE #5 CVR A FANTINI (MR)    $3.99
FEB211560    SUNDAYS FUN DAY CHARLIE BROWN SC (RES)    $7.99
APR212073    TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY GAME NIGHT #1 CVR A VITORINO    $8.99
APR212074    TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY GAME NIGHT #1 CVR B RIVEIRO    $8.99
APR212075    TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY GAME NIGHT #1 CVR C GARVEY    $8.99
MAY211364    TRAILER PARK BOYS GET A F#ING COMIC BOOK #1 CVR A HERRERA (M    $7.99
MAY211365    TRAILER PARK BOYS GET A F#ING COMIC BOOK #1 CVR B BLAYLOCK (    $7.99
MAY211366    TRAILER PARK BOYS GET A F#ING COMIC BOOK #1 CVR C GARIBALDI    $7.99
MAY211367    TRAILER PARK BOYS GET A F#ING COMIC BOOK #1 CVR D PHOTO (MR)    $7.99
FEB210942    TRESE GN VOL 02 UNREPORTED MURDERS    $16.99
MAY211806    WASTED SPACE #22 CVR A SHERMAN (MR)    $3.99
MAY218221    WHITE #1 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
APR212142    WHOLE HUMANITY HAS GONE YURI EXCEPT ME GN    $22.00
APR212220    WITCH AND BEAST GN VOL 06 (MR)    $12.99
APR211902    YASMEEN TP    $19.99

MAGAZINES

MAY211358    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1770    $PI
MAY211816    CREEPS #32 (MR)    $5.95
MAY211493    HEAVY METAL #308 CVR A KELLY (MR)    $13.99
MAY211494    HEAVY METAL #308 CVR B CARPENTER (MR)    $13.99
MAY211515    INFINITE WORLDS MAGAZINE #8 (MR)    $13.00
MAY211560    LOCUS #726    $8.99

BOOKS

MAY211303    CINEMATIC ART OF OVERWATCH HC VOL 02    $45.00
APR211939    CON QUEST NOVEL HC    $16.99
MAR218752    ERB AUTH LIB TARZAN HC VOL 09 TARZAN & GOLDEN LION    $29.95
MAR218751    ERB AUTH LIB TARZAN HC VOL 10 TARZAN & ANT MEN    $29.95
MAR218755    ERB AUTH LIB TARZAN HC VOL 11 TARZAN LORD OF JUNGLE    $29.95
MAR218754    ERB AUTH LIB TARZAN HC VOL 12 TARZAN & LOST EMPIRE    $29.95
MAR211585    FLY ON THE WALL SC HYBRID NOVEL    $12.99
MAY211916    HIGH SCHOOL DXD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 04 (MR)    $15.00
MAY211922    LAST ROUND ARTHURS LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 05    $15.00
MAR211306    NO ONE RETURNS FROM THE ENCHANTED FOREST GN    $14.99
MAR211307    NO ONE RETURNS FROM THE ENCHANTED FOREST HC GN    $21.99
MAY211918    SO IM SPIDER SO WHAT LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 12    $14.00
MAY211370    STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC YA HC NOVEL OUT OF SHADOWS    $17.99
MAY211927    UNNAMED MEMORY LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 03    $15.00
MAY211579    WORLD OF READING THIS IS MS MARVEL    $4.99


DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for July 20, 2021

DC COMICS:

Batman The Dark Prince Charming TP, $17.99
Blue And Gold #1 (Of 8) (Cover A Ryan Sook), $3.99
Blue And Gold #1 (Of 8) (Cover B Dave Johnson Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Catwoman #33 (Cover A Yanick Paquette), $3.99
Catwoman #33 (Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Flash #772 (Cover A Brandon Peterson), $3.99
Future State Wonder Woman TP, $19.99
Justice League #65 (Cover A David Marquez), $4.99
Legends Of The Dark Knight #3 (Cover A Darick Robertson & Diego Rodriguez), $3.99
Legends Of The Dark Knight #3 (Cover B Jorge Molina Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Legends Of The Dark Knight #3 (Cover C Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), AR
Nightwing #81 (Bruno Redondo 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Nightwing #82 (Cover A Bruno Redondo), $3.99
Nightwing #82 (Cover B Jamal Campbell Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Shazam #1 (Of 4)(Cover A Clayton Henry), $3.99
Shazam #1 (Of 4)(Cover B Gary Frank Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Suicide Squad Case Files Volume 1 TP, $19.99
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #2 (Of 8) (Cover A Bilquis Evely), $4.99
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #2 (Of 8) (Cover B Lee Weeks), $4.99
Superman And The Authority #1 (Of 4) (Cover A Mikel Janin), $4.99
Superman And The Authority #1 (Of 4) (Cover B Bryan Hitch), $4.99
Superman And The Authority #1 (Of 4) (Cover C Jen Bartel Headshot Variant), AR
Superman Man Of Tomorrow Volume 1 Hero Of Metropolis TP, $19.99
Superman Red And Blue #5 (Of 6) (Cover A Amanda Conner), $5.99
Superman Red And Blue #5 (Of 6) (Cover B Arthur Adams), $5.99
Superman Red And Blue #5 (Of 6) (Cover C Miguel Mercado), $5.99
Truth And Justice #6 (Of 7) (Cover A Juni Ba), $4.99
Truth And Justice #6 (Of 7) (Cover B Damion Scott Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Wonder Woman Lords And Liars TP, $24.99


Thursday, July 15, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: NOW #9

NOW: THE NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY #9
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

CARTOONISTS: Theo Ellsworth; Raquelle Jac; Keren Katz; Noah Van Sciver; Emil Friis Ernst; Ben Nadler; Ethel Wolfe
DESIGN: Jacob Covey
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Raquelle Jac
BACKCOVER: John Ohannesian
ISBN: 978-1-68396-371-4; paperback (September 2020)
120pp, Color, $12.99 U.S.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology is an alternative-comics anthology series launched in 2017 and edited by Eric Reynolds.  NOW is published by alt-comix and art comics publisher, Fantagraphics Books.  Over its four-plus decades of existence, Fantagraphics has published what is probably the most diverse collection of comic book anthologies in the history of North American comic books.  That line-up includes such titles as Anything Goes, Critters, Mome, Pictopia, and Zero Zero, to name a few.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology #9 offers a selection of seven cartoonists and comics creators, as well as a back cover “comics strip” from John Ohannesian.  NOW #9 holds to Eric Reynolds' creed (from NOW #1) that NOW would showcase “...as broad a range of quality comic art as possible...”

The contributors list includes a Leroy favorite, Noah Van Sciver.  But let's take a look at each of NOW #9's cartoonists' contributions:

THE LOWDOWN:  The illustration that acts as NOW #9's cover art is entitled “Nine,” and  is produced by Texan, Raquelle Jac.  It is a beautiful piece that reminds me of the drawings and doodles high school students commit to their tablets to pass the time or to ignore a teacher.  It is a striking image, a slice-of-surreal life that embraces a selection of the myriad variations of apartment living.

“The Real Me” by Theo Ellsworth:
This is a one-page comic that reminds me of the work of cartoonist/illustrator, Jim Woodring.  It has an unsettling quality, and I really felt that the subject of “The Real Me” was talking to me.

“Misguided Love” by Raquell Jac:
This story is the cover times 41.  The autobiographical story, “Misguided Love,” with its garish and sometimes subdued colors, is beautiful to look at.  Unfortunately, it is an ugly read.  There is just too much clutter, and some of the panels are drawn as to be impossible to read.  All of it is static between the author and her audience.  What I actually can understand or interpret is interesting, but this is way too obtuse in its graphical storytelling.

“The Raindrop Prelude” by Keren Katz:
The story offers some of the most beautiful drapery that I have seen in a comic book in a while.  The art has a Japanese woodblock printing quality, and the story involves, in a way, one of composer and pianist Frederic Chopin's 24 “Preludes,” specifically the “Raindrop” prelude.  The story is composed of several single-page illustrations (for the most part), and I felt my imagination floating through the story, while also trying to linger to keep looking at the pretty art.

“Spacehawk” by Noah Van Sciver:
This story is a tribute to cult cartoonist, Basil Wolverton (1909-1978), and his first character of note, the kooky “Spacehawk.”  Of course, Van Sciver's art does not match the peculiar nature for which Wolverton was known, but he captures the kookiness.

“Zoom” by Emil Friis Ernst:
At times, there is a Moebius-like quality about “Zoom.”  I could see it having a place in Metal Hurlant from long ago.

“Quarryhouse” by Ben Nadler:
I have mentioned in previous reviews that I once read a review of an Annie Lennox album (perhaps, in Spin Magazine), in which the reviewer said that every LP needed at least one great song.  I believe that every volume or issue of a comics anthology needs at least one great story.

“Quarryhouse” is the first of NOW #9's two great stories.  A mixture of Hey, Wait... era Jason and Acme Novelty Library-era Chris Ware, “Quarryhouse” takes place over a sixty-hear period – 1989, 2019, and 2049 and involves a tragedy (similar to the one in Hey, Wait...).  Depending on how one reads “Quarryhouse,” each time period introduces a new theme to the story.  I also believe that author-cartoonist Ben Nadler suggests that different generations of a family are connected much more deeply and intimately than by bloodline alone.  They share stories, pain, curses, guilt, and obligations, and are tethered by the need to reach across time to help one another.

“How Mums Annoy You” by Ethel Wolfe:
The 2013 Martin Scorsese film, The Wolf of Wall Street, was an adaptation of the 2007 memoir of the same name by notorious stockbroker and trader, Jordan Belfort.  The film received criticism because some people interpreted it as glorifying Belfort's criminal behavior and nihilistic lifestyle.  In answer to this, the film's screenwriter, Terence Winter, said that the film was about two things:  people don't change, and they never learn.”

NOW #9's second great story, “How Mums Annoy You,” is a story of abuse that focuses on an Internet “celebrity” who is also a predator and a manipulator of the young women who follow him.  Ethel Wolfe (a pen name used by the cartoonist John Harvey) may not realize that his story has a theme:  people don't change and they never learn … and they lie to themselves and others.  If Hollywood really paid attention to alternative comics, this story would have been optioned for film or television already.  It is a bracing read that left me wanting more.

“Art” back cover strip by John Ohannesian:
Meh.

So, in conclusion, the cover art and two great stories, “Quarryhouse” and “How Mums Annoy You,” are what make NOW #9.  There ended up being a little controversy about one of the contributors some months after this issue was published, but I'll let you find out the details for yourselves, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic alternative-comics anthologies will want to discover NOW: The New Comics Anthology.

A-
7.5 out of 10

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



https://www.fantagraphics.com/
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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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Wednesday, July 14, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: THE SECRET SERVICE #1

THE SECRET SERVICE #1
MARVEL COMICS/Icon – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mark Millar and Matthew Vaughn
WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
ARTIST: Dave Gibbons
COLORS: Angus McKie
COVER: Dave Gibbons
VARIANT COVERS: Leinil Francis Yu with Sunny Gho
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2012)

Mature Content

The Secret Service created by Mark Miller, Dave Gibbons, and Matthew Vaughn


The Secret Service was a six issue comic book miniseries written by Mark Millar; drawn by Dave Gibbons; and colored by Angus McKie.  The series was created by Millar, Gibbons, and writer/director/ producer Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class) and was published in 2012 by Icon, a pseudo-creator owned imprint of Marvel Comics.  Vaughn directed a film loosely adapted from this comic book and entitled Kingsman: The Secret Service.  [The Secret Service has since been re-branded as Kingsman: The Secret Service to tie-in closer to the film.]

The Secret Service is apparently inspired by “classic” James Bond films and the spy thriller genre in general.  [I must note, dear readers, that I consider the James Bond films from Dr. No to A View to a Kill to be the “classic Bond films.”]  The story focuses on a super-spy and his young and wayward nephew whom he recruits into “the secret service.”

The Secret Service #1 opens in Zermatt, Switzerland where we find Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame in the clutches of mysterious, “middle-Eastern” types.  Later, in Peckham, South London, Gary “Eggsy” London is dealing with another awful night of home life with his mother, Sharon, and her English-white trash husband, Darren, and his rowdy pals.  So Gary decides to have a night of bad behavior with his own pals, but that will land him in trouble.  Once again, it's Gary's Uncle Jack to the rescue, but Jack London is secretly an MI6 agent, and he is ready to redirect his troubled nephew.

I saw Kingsman: The Secret Service on DVD not long after its home media release.  I thought some of it was really good, but most of it was mediocre slash OK.  I got a kick out of Samuel L. Jackson, Sofia Boutella, (that sexy-M.F.) Mark Strong, and Michael Caine (cause there is never enough Michael Caine).  I liked Taron Egerton, but he does not totally sell me on the idea of him being an action hero.  I put up with Colin Firth's character because he is played by Colin Firth.  Did I mention Mark Strong?

Reading The Secret Service comic book for the first time, what surprises me is how matter-of-fact the first issue seems.  It is unassuming and so lacks glamour (unlike the film) that after a few pages I thought The Secret Service was going to be a disaster.  However, I soon picked up on the steady pace, solemn pace.  There is something real and earthy about the interaction between Jack London and his sister, Sharon.  Reading it, I felt like I was eavesdropping on some real-world, old sibling melodrama.

By the end, I wanted to read more.  I'll see the new movie, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, but I hope the new comic book, Kingsman: The Red Diamond, is more like this comic book.

A
8 out of 10

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

https://twitter.com/Marvel
https://www.marvel.com/
https://www.marvel.com/comics
https://www.comixology.com/Marvel_Comics


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

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Tuesday, July 13, 2021

#IReadsYou Movie Review: BATMAN: Hush

Batman: Hush (2019)

Running time:  82 minutes
MPAA – PG-13 for violence and action, suggestive material, and language
DIRECTOR:  Justin Copeland
WRITER:  Ernie Altbacker (based on characters appearing in DC Comics and on the story arc, “Batman: Hush”, by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee)
PRODUCER: Amy McKenna
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Sam Register and James Tucker and Benjamin Melniker & Michael Uslan
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinski
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann  
ANIMATION STUDIO:  NE4U Inc.

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Jason O'Mara, Jennifer Morrison, Sean Maher, James Garrett, Bruce Thomas, Geoffrey Arend, Stuart Allan, Sachie Alessio, Chris Cox, Adam Gifford, Peyton R. List, Peyton List, Jerry O'Connell, Rebecca Romijn, Jason Spisak, Maury Sterling, Hynden Walch, Tara Strong, Vanessa Williams, and Rainn Wilson

Batman: Hush is a 2019 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and director Justin Copeland.  It is the thirty-fifth film in the “DC Universe Animated Original Movies” series.  It is also a loose adaptation of the Batman story arc, “Batman: Hush” (Batman #608-619; cover dated: October 2002 to September 2003), written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Jim Lee.  Batman: Hush the movie focuses on a mysterious villain intent on sabotaging Batman by using the Dark Knight's worst adversaries and some of his friends against him.

Batman: Hush opens with Batman (Jason O'Mara) rescuing an abducted child that the villain, Bane (Adam Gifford), was holding for ransom.  Shortly afterwards, Catwoman (Jennifer Morrison) steals the ransom.  While Batman is pursuing her, a masked vigilante shoots at him, severing the Bat-rope Batman was using to swing through the city.  Batman falls onto the sidewalk and cracks his skull.

Batgirl (Peyton R. List) takes Batman back to the Batcave where his butler, Alfred Pennyworth (James Garrett), and, his former ward and sidekick, Dick Grayson/Nightwing (Sean Maher), create an alibi that not Batman, but his secret identity, Bruce Wayne, suffered the injury.  Alfred contacts Bruce's childhood friend, Dr. Thomas Elliot (Maury Sterling), a renowned brain surgeon, to provide Bruce's medical care.

Back on his feet, Batman discovers that his conflict with Bane and Catwoman was just part of an elaborate scheme perpetrated against him by a mysterious villain known only as “Hush.”  It seems that Hush is willing to use every major figure in Batman's “rogues gallery” to bring the Bat down.  Hush seemingly even knows the people close to Bruce Wayne and is using them.  Further complicating Batman's investigation of Hush is the growing relationship between Bruce Wayne and Catwoman's alter-ego, Selina Kyle.

I have only read the Batman story line, “Batman: Hush,” once, and that was during its original publication.  I found it to be longer than it needed to be.  I am not really a fan of writer Jeph Loeb, although he has written some comic books that I have thoroughly enjoyed.  As a story, “Hush” felt like something Loeb padded with a bunch of appearances by all-star DC Comics characters.  As beautiful as Jim Lee's art for Hush was and still is, some of it came across as cold, as if it were drawn in a manner to make it attractive to collectors of comic book original art.  But at least I found “Hush” the comic book story to be enjoyable most of the time.

Batman: Hush the film is mostly dull.  The chase between Batman and Catwoman and the subsequent Catwoman-Batgirl fight are exciting.  The big battle at the end of the film is good, except when it seems to run too long – of course.  Catwoman is well-written in this film, and I like the way Alfred Pennyworth and Dick Grayson/Nightwing are presented in Batman: Hush.

The character designs are mostly good, except Batman, who looks awkwardly drawn in this film.  The animation is mediocre, except for a few action scenes when it looks like the people involved in this production suddenly felt energized.  I will only recommend this film to fans of the “DC Universe Animated Original Movies” line.  People who mostly know Batman from the modern Batman live-action films will likely not find much to like in Batman: Hush.

C+

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


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Monday, July 12, 2021

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