Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 6, 2021

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUL212230 ADACHI AND SHIMAMURA GN VOL 02 $13.00

AUG211408 ALMOST AMERICAN #2 $3.99

JUL211299 AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY MONSTERS VOL 2 #2 CVR A VOKES (MR) $3.99

JUL211300 AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY MONSTERS VOL 2 #2 CVR B WOLFER (MR) $9.99

JUL212316 ANCIENT MAGUS BRIDE GN VOL 15 $12.99

AUG211504 ARCHIE SHOWCASE DIGEST #5 WORLD TOUR $7.99

AUG211502 ARCHIES HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR #1 $2.99

JUL212120 ASCENCIA #8 $3.99

JUL212136 BELLE HEADLESS HORSEMAN ONE SHOT CVR A VITORINO $5.99

JUL212137 BELLE HEADLESS HORSEMAN ONE SHOT CVR B TOLIBAO $5.99

JUL212138 BELLE HEADLESS HORSEMAN ONESHOT CVR C BURNS $5.99

AUG211828 BESTIES GN VOL 01 WORK IT OUT $12.99

AUG211829 BESTIES HC GN VOL 01 WORK IT OUT $24.99

JUN211234 BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR #2 CVR A RANALDI $3.99

JUN211235 BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR #2 CVR B RANALDI LTD ED $9.99

AUG211643 BILLY THE KIT #1 $3.99

JUN211766 BLOWTORCH #3 (OF 5) CVR A GRANDE $3.99

JUN211767 BLOWTORCH #3 (OF 5) CVR B GRANDE $3.99

AUG212250 BLUE EXORCIST GN VOL2 26 $9.99

AUG211886 BOUNTIFUL GARDEN #2 $3.99

JUL212232 BUNGO STRAY DOGS GN VOL 20 (MR) $13.00

JUL211899 BY THE HORNS #6 (OF 7) (MR) $3.99

JUL212289 CARDCAPTOR SAKURA CLEAR CARD GN VOL 10 $10.99

JUL211850 CARLTON CRUMPLE CREATURE CATCHER GN REPTOIDS FROM SPACE $12.99

JUN211777 CATBOY ULTIMATE ED GN $20.00

AUG212231 CHAINSAW MAN GN VOL 07 (MR) $9.99

JUL211229 CHAMBER OF TERROR #1 $2.99

JUN211570 CHASING THE DRAGON TP $19.99

JUL211901 CHERRY BLACKBIRD #3 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99

JUN211770 CHESSMASTERS #1 (OF 6) CVR A SALAZA $3.99

JUN211771 CHESSMASTERS #1 (OF 6) CVR B JARRELL $3.99

AUG211398 CHICKEN DEVIL #1 CVR A  HAYDEN SHERMAN $4.99

AUG211317 CIMMERIAN BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER #1 CVR A CLARA TESSIER (MR) $3.99

AUG211318 CIMMERIAN BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER #1 CVR B JEAN (MR) $3.99

AUG211319 CIMMERIAN BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER #1 CVR C TAMURA (MR) $3.99

AUG211320 CIMMERIAN BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER #1 CVR D CASAS (MR) $3.99

AUG211321 CIMMERIAN BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER #1 CVR E BLANK (MR) $10.00

AUG211677 DEADWORLD ARCHIVES BOOK 09 (MR) $12.99

JUL212259 DEATH MARCH PARALLEL WORLD RHAPSODY GN VOL 11 $13.00

JUL212322 DEMON GIRL NEXT DOOR GN VOL 04 $14.99

JUL211459 DESTINY NY #6 (MR) $3.99

NOV201276 DF BATMAN BLACK & WHITE #1 MOMOKO VAR TYNION IV SGN $29.99

OCT201334 DF BATMAN THREE JOKERS #1 JOHNS SGN $59.99

OCT201335 DF BATMAN THREE JOKERS #2 JOHNS SGN $59.99

OCT201337 DF BATMAN THREE JOKERS #3 JOHNS SGN $59.99

MAY211431 DF ELECTRIC BLACK #1 2ND PTG SCHMALKE & WOODALL SGN $20.19

AUG211902 DIRTBAG RAPTURE #1 CVR A GOODE $3.99

AUG211903 DIRTBAG RAPTURE #1 CVR B WARD $3.99

JUL219487 DIRTBAG RAPTURE #1 CVR C LEVEL $3.99

JUL211806 DISCIPLINE GN $27.95

JUL212277 DO YOU LIKE BIG GIRLS GN VOL 01 (MR) $13.99

JUL211777 DRAGON KINGDOM OF WRENLY HC GN VOL 05 INFERNO NEW YEAR $17.99

JUL212323 DUNGEON DIVE AIM FOR DEEPEST LEVEL GN VOL 01 $12.99

AUG211628 EVERFROST #4 (OF 4) $3.99

AUG211980 FORGIVENESS STORY OF EVA KOR SURVIVOR OF AUSCHWITZ $20.00

JUN211210 HAPPY HOUR TP $16.99

JUL211224 HATH NO FURY #1 $3.99

JUL212325 HEADHUNTED TO ANOTHER WORLD SALARYMAN GN VOL 01 $12.99

NOV192143 HEAVENLY DELUSION GN VOL 02 $12.95

JUL218032 HIGEHIRO AFTER BEING REJECTED GN VOL 01 $12.95

AUG212337 HINAMATSURI GN VOL 13 $11.95

JUL212327 HOW NOT TO SUMMON DEMON LORD GN VOL 12 (MR) $12.99

JUL211807 HOW TO PICK A FIGHT GN $18.99

AUG211678 HP LOVECRAFT BEYOND THE WALL OF SLEEP GN $9.99

JUL212258 IM GREAT PRIEST IMHOTEP GN VOL 11 $15.00

JUL212231 IM THE HERO BUT THE DEMON LORDS ALSO ME GN VOL 02 (MR) $13.00

AUG211760 INTERTWINED ULT ED TP $29.00

JUL211708 INTRUSION ONE SHOT CVR A GOVAR $6.99

JUN211615 JACKY HA HA GN VOL 02 MY LIFE IS JOKE $12.99

AUG212233 JUJUTSU KAISEN GN VOL 12 $9.99

JUL212329 KAGEKI SHOJO GN VOL 02 $12.99

JUN211625 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #287 $6.99

JUL212091 LAST BOOK YOULL EVER READ #3 CVR A LEIZ $3.99

JUL212092 LAST BOOK YOULL EVER READ #3 CVR B HICKMAN $3.99

JUN219911 LAST BOOK YOULL EVER READ #3 CVR C BLACK BAG VAR $5.99

JUL212374 LAUGHING UNDER THE CLOUDS VOL 04 $12.99

JUN200919 LAUREL & HARDY MEET THREE STOOGES #1 AM EXC $6.99

JUL212332 LEVEL 1 DEMON LORD AND ONE ROOM HERO GN VOL 02 $12.99

JUL211359 LIGHTS PLANETS PEOPLE GN $22.95

JAN211559 LIU CIXIN GN VOL 02 WANDERING EARTH $17.99

JUN211258 LIVING CORPSE RELICS #1 REMARQUED SGND ED (MR) $29.99

JUL211305 LIVING CORPSE RELICS #3 ENCORE ED (MR) $3.99

JUL218893 LIVING CORPSE RELICS #3 ENCORE ED LTD ED B&W RAW (MR) $9.99

JUL212229 LOVE OF KILL GN VOL 04 $13.00

JUL211843 MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR GN VOL 05 THE PLAGUE $6.99

JUL212154 MANGA CLASSICS SENSE AND SENSIBILITY GN NEW PTG $19.99

AUG211975 MEGATROPOLIS HC $25.00

JUN211774 MENAGERIE #1 (OF 5) CVR A BAUTISTA $3.99

JUN211775 MENAGERIE #1 (OF 5) CVR B WIJAYA $3.99

AUG211804 MINNIE MOUSE BIG DREAMS GN PERFECT BOOK $8.99

JUL211711 MODERN FRANKENSTEIN TP (MR) $19.99

AUG212103 MONDAY MONDAY RIVERS OF LONDON #4 CVR A HARDING (MR) $3.99

AUG212104 MONDAY MONDAY RIVERS OF LONDON #4 CVR B GLASS (MR) $3.99

AUG212105 MONDAY MONDAY RIVERS OF LONDON #4 CVR C BUISIAN (MR) $3.99

JUL212093 MONEY SHOT #15 CVR A LAYNE (MR) $3.99

JUL212094 MONEY SHOT #15 CVR B BLACK BAG VAR (MR) $5.99

AUG212252 MORIARTY THE PATRIOT GN VOL 05 $9.99

AUG212241 MY LOVE MIX UP GN VOL 01 $9.99

JUN211620 NINJAS & ROBOTS #10 CVR A KLAUS $4.99

JUN211621 NINJAS & ROBOTS #10 CVR B JARO $4.99

JUN211622 NINJAS & ROBOTS #10 CVR C BEEZER $4.99

JUN211623 NINJAS & ROBOTS #10 CVR D DALMAU $4.99

JUL211510 OKSI HC GN $24.99

JUL211977 ON TYRANNY 20 LESSONS FROM TWENTIETH CENTURY GN $16.99

AUG212249 ONE PUNCH MAN GN VOL 23 $9.99

JUN211669 ORCS IN SPACE TP VOL 01 (MR) $15.99

JUL212298 ORIENT GN VOL 05 $10.99

AUG211596 OUT #1 CVR A BRADSTREET (MR) $3.99

AUG211597 OUT #1 CVR B DEODATO JR (MR) $3.99

JUN211240 PELLUCIDAR ACROSS SAVAGE SEAS #1 CVR D CENTURY LTD ED $29.99

MAY211938 PLEASURE & CORRUPTION GN VOL 04 (RES) $12.95

JUL212243 PLUNDERER GN VOL 08 (MR) $22.00

JUL212343 RAINBOW & BLACK GN VOL 03 $13.99

JUL211416 REDEMPTION TP (MR) $9.99

JUL211915 REDSHIFT #3 (OF 6) $3.99

JUL212299 RENT A GIRLFRIEND GN VOL 09 (MR) $12.99

AUG211914 RICK & MORTY PRESENTS SNUFFLES GOES TO WAR #1 CVR A DOWDY $4.99

AUG211915 RICK & MORTY PRESENTS SNUFFLES GOES TO WAR #1 CVR B HUANG $4.99

JUN211671 RICK AND MORTY RICKS NEW HAT #3 CVR A STRESING $3.99

JUN211672 RICK AND MORTY RICKS NEW HAT #3 CVR B STERN $3.99

AUG212253 SERAPH OF END VAMPIRE REIGN GN VOL 22 $9.99

JUL211217 SERIAL #7 $3.99

JUL211242 SEVEN SWORDS #4 $3.99

JUL211460 SHI NO KAGE TP $14.99

JUL211854 SHOW ME HISTORY GANDHI PEACEFUL PROTESTER $12.99

JUL211883 SLAINE DRAGONTAMER HC $22.99

JUL211916 SNATCHED #2 $3.99

AUG211432 SNELSON #3 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99

JUL211918 SOLAR FLARE TP VOL 01 FORT MYERS NEW PTG $19.99

JUL211230 SOUTHSIDE #1 SIDE POCKET (MR) $2.99

AUG212232 SPY X FAMILY GN VOL 06 $9.99

AUG211805 SQUAD GN $14.99

AUG211806 SQUAD HC GN $21.99

JUL212244 SUNSHINE SKETCH GN VOL 10 $17.00

JUL212281 SUPER HXEROS GN VOL 04 (MR) $13.99

JUL211780 SUPER TURBO GN VOL 05 FIRE BREATHING DRAGON $9.99

AUG211830 SWINE TP (MR) $19.99

JUL211502 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #124 BOO CAT STUDIO ED CVR (MR $19.99

JUN211399 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #129 COSPLAY PHOTO CVR ED (MR) $19.99

JUL212307 THAT TIME I GOT REINCARNATED AS A SLIME GN VOL 17 (RES) (MR) $12.99

AUG212015 THE TIMES I KNEW I WAS GAY GRAPHIC MEMOIR SC (MR) $17.00

JUL211565 THIS IS HOW I DISAPPEAR TP $24.95

JUL212348 TIME STOP HERO GN VOL 01 (MR) $12.99

JUL212349 TRAPPED IN DATING SIM WORLD OTOME GAMES GN VOL 02 $12.99

JUL212260 VAMPIRE & HIS PLEASANT COMPANIONS GN VOL 04 $13.00

JUL212104 VAMPIRE THE MASQUERADE TP VOL 02 WINTERS TEETH $17.99

JUL212133 VAN HELSING BEAST OF EXMOOR ONE SHOT CVR A CHEN $5.99

JUL212134 VAN HELSING BEAST OF EXMOOR ONE SHOT CVR B VITORINO $5.99

JUL212135 VAN HELSING BEAST OF EXMOOR ONESHOT CVR C THOMPSON $5.99

AUG212251 WE NEVER LEARN GN VOL 18 $9.99

SEP200995 WHITE WIDOW #7 CVR B TYNDALL HOLO METALLIC INK $9.99

JUL211285 WILLYS WONDERLAND PREQUEL #1 CVR A HASSON & HAESER $3.99

JUL211286 WILLYS WONDERLAND PREQUEL #1 CVR B CALZADA $4.99

JUL211287 WILLYS WONDERLAND PREQUEL #1 CVR C SLASHING TIME LTD ED $9.99

JUL218892 WILLYS WONDERLAND PREQUEL #1 CVR E BLANK SKETCH $6.99

AUG212247 YONA OF THE DAWN GN VOL 32 $9.99

JUN212015 YOWAMUSHI PEDAL GN VOL 18 $24.00

MAR210988 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #82 CVR A MACCAGNI (MR) $4.99

MAR210989 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #82 CVR B MACCAGNI RISQUE (MR) $4.99

MAR210990 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #82 CVR C ANDREW HERMAN (MR) $4.99

MAR210991 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #82 CVR D ANDREW HERMAN RISQUE (MR) $4.99

MAY211134 ZORRO FLIGHTS #1 CVR A MARTINEZ $3.99

JUL218891 ZORRO FLIGHTS #1 CVR E BLANK SKETCH $6.99

FEB211038 ZORRO RISE OF OLD GODS #1 CENTURY ED CGC 9.8 $125.00

MAGAZINES

AUG211949 CARTOONS MAGAZINE #35 $6.99

JUL211528 COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1781 $PI

JUL211734 INFINITE WORLDS MAGAZINE #9 (MR) $13.00

BOOKS

JUL212264 BANISHED HEROES PARTY QUIET LIFE COUNTRYSIDE NOVEL SC VOL 04 $15.00

AUG211706 BETTY PAGE GOES WILD SC $22.95

JUL212262 BOFURI DONT WANT TO GET HURT MAX OUT DEFENSE NOVEL SC VOL 03 $15.00

JUN211541 CALL OF CTHULHU MYSTERY IN 3 PARTS ILLUSTRATED SC $19.95

AUG212114 CHARLES ADDAMS A CARTOONISTS LIFE SC $18.99

JUL212266 DATE A LIVE LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 03 $15.00

MAY211470 DRAWINGS OF EDWIN AUSTIN ABBEY SC $39.95

JUN211601 FRAGGLE ROCK ULT VISUAL HISTORY HC $65.00

AUG212397 GHIBLIOTHEQUE UNOFF GUIDE TO MOVIES OF STUDIO GHIBLI HC $24.95

JUL212263 HAZURE SKILL LEGENDARY ASSASSIN NOVEL SC VOL 02 $15.00

JUL212271 HERO OVERPOWERED BUT OVERLY CAUTIOUS NOVEL SC VOL 07 $15.00

JUL212276 HIGH SCHOOL PRODIGIES EASY ANOTHER WORLD NOVEL SC VOL 05 $15.00

JUL212270 KID FROM DUNGEON BOONIES MOVED STARTER TOWN NOVEL SC VOL 07 $15.00

AUG211385 MARVEL UNTOLD NOVEL SC DARK AVENGERS PATRIOT LIST $16.95

JUN211181 MARVEL UNTOLD NOVEL SC SERPENT & THE DEAD $16.95

JUL211221 MARVEL XAVIERS INSTITUTE NOVEL SC TRIPTYCH $16.95

JUN212147 MONSTER MUSUME NOVEL MONSTER GIRLS ON JOB (MR) $14.99

AUG212234 MY HERO ACADEMIA SCHOOL BRIEFS NOVEL SC VOL 05 $10.99

JUL212261 NO GAME NO LIFE PRACTICAL WAR GAME NOVEL SC (MR) $15.00

AUG211367 ODYSSEY OF STAR WARS AN EPIC POEM HC $19.99

AUG212313 SEIREI GENSOUKI SPIRIT CHRONICLES OMNIBUS NOVEL VOL 03 $22.99

JUN211652 SPIDEY & HIS AMAZING FRIENDS MEET SPIDEY TEAM BOARD BOOK $7.99

AUG211952 STAR WARS THESE ARE DROIDS YOURE LOOKING SEARCH & FIND HC (C $10.99

JUL212273 STRIKE THE BLOOD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 19 $14.00

JUN212035 UNDEAD KINGS REIGN OF PEACE LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 01 (MR) $15.00

JUL212275 WANDERING WITCH JOURNEY ELAINA LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 06 $15.00

JUL212272 WOOF WOOF STORY LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 07 (MR) $14.00

JUL212267 WORLDS FINEST ASSASSIN REINCARNATED WORLD NOVEL SC VOL 03 (M $15.00

JUL212268 YOUTH ROMANTIC COMEDY WRONG EXPECTED NOVEL SC VOL 12 $14.00

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DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for October 5, 2021

DC COMICS:

Are You Afraid Of Darkseid #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Dan Hipp), $9.99
Are You Afraid Of Darkseid #1 (One Shot)(Cover B TK), $9.99
Arkham City The Order Of The World #1 (Of 6)(Cover A Sam Wolfe Connelly), $3.99
Arkham City The Order Of The World #1 (Of 6)(Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Arkham City The Order Of The World #1 (Of 6)(Cover C Steve Beach Black & White Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #114 (Cover A Jorge Jimenez)(Fear State)), $4.99
Batman #114 (Cover B Jorge Molina Card Stork Variant)(Fear State), $5.99
Batman #114 (Cover C Dylan Teague Card Stock Variant)(Fear State), AR
Batman Curse Of The White Knight TP, $24.99
Batman Detective Comics Volume 6 Road To Ruin HC, $24.99
Batman The Adventures Continue Season II #5 (Of 7)(Cover A Jamal Campbell), $3.99
Batman The Adventures Continue Season II #5 (Of 7)(Cover B Juni Ba Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Crush And Lobo #5 (Of 8)(Cover A Sweeney Boo), $3.99
Crush And Lobo #5 (Of 8)(Cover B Brian Stelfreeze Card Stock Variant), $4.99
DC Horror Presents Soul Plumber #1 (Of 6)(Cover A John McCrea), $3.99
DC Horror Presents Soul Plumber #1 (Of 6)(Cover B Tom Neeley Card Stock Variant), $4.99
DC Horror Presents Soul Plumber #1 (Of 6)(Cover C Riley Rossmo Card Stock Variant), AR
DC Horror Presents The Conjuring The Lover #5 (Of 5)(Cover A Bill Sienkiewicz), $3.99
DC Horror Presents The Conjuring The Lover #5 (Of 5)(Cover B Ryan Brown Movie Poster Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Deathstroke By Christopher Priest Omnibus HC, $150.00
Joker Presents A Puzzlebox #3 (Of 7)(Cover A Chip Zdarsky), $4.99
Joker Presents A Puzzlebox #3 (Of 7)(Cover B William Reilly Brown Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Justice League Infinity #4 (Of 7)(Cover A James Stokoe), $3.99
MAD Magazine #22 (Cover A Jason Edmiston), $5.99
Nice House On The Lake #5 (Of 12)(Cover A Alvaro Martinez Bueno), $3.99
Nice House On The Lake #5 (Of 12)(Cover B David Lafuente Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Sensational Wonder Woman Volume 1 TP, $16.99
Swamp Thing #8 (Of 10)(Cover A Mike Perkins), $3.99
Swamp Thing #8 (Of 10)(Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Yanick Paquette), $9.99
Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Will Murai Film Inspired Variant), $9.99
Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Cat Staggs Television Inspired Variant), $9.99
Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Bruce Timm Animation Inspired Variant), $9.99
Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Jen Bartel Costume Celebration Wraparound Variant), $9.99
Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Amy Reeder Golden Age Variant), $9.99
Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (One Shot)(Cover G Michael Cho Silver Age Variant), $9.99
Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (One Shot)(Cover H Travis Moore Bronze Age Variant), $9.99
Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (One Shot)(Cover I Cliff Chiang Modern Age Variant), $9.99

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#IReadsYou Review: BOYS RUN THE RIOT: Volume 1

BOYS RUN THE RIOT, VOL. 1
KODANSHA COMICS

MANGAKA: Keito Gaku
TRANSLATION: Leo McDonagh
LETTERS: Ashley Caswell
EDITORS: Tiff Joshua and TJ Ferentini
COVER: Keito Gaku
ISBN: 978-1-64651-248-5; paperback (May 2021); Rated “OT 16+”
244pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN

Boys Run the Riot is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Keito Gaku.  It began serialization in Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine in January 2020, and then moved to Kodansha's “Comic Days” manga app in September 2020.  Kodansha Comics began publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a four-volume trade paperback original series in May 2021.  Each volume of Boys Run the Riot will also be available digitally upon release across all our participating digital vendors including Bookwalker, comiXology, Google Play, Kindle, Nook and izneo.

Boys Run The Riot, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 7) introduces Ryo Watari, a second year high school student.  Ryo knows that he is transgender, but he does not have anyone in which to confide about the confusion he feels.  He can’t tell his best friend, Chika, who only sees Ryo as a girl who likes to dress as a boy.  He can't tell his mother, who is constantly asking Ryo why he “dresses like a boy.”  He certainly can’t tell Jin Sato, the new transfer student who looks like just another bully and a delinquent.

Ryo is into “street fashion,” and the only time he feels at ease is when he is wearing his favorite clothes.  It is then and only then that the world melts away, and Ryo can be his true self.  However, one day, while out shopping at a “pop-up” store, Ryo sees someone he didn’t expect, Jin.  The new student who looked so tough in class has the same taste in fashion as Ryo!  Ryo has someone with whom he can be open, but it is never that easy – especially when uniting with another outcast can make you even more of an outcast.

THE LOWDOWN:  Earlier this summer, I came upon either a review or an advertisement that alerted me to the existence of Boys Run the Riot.  I liked the title, and also, I have been curious about manga featuring transgender characters since I first read Shimura Takako's trans manga, Wandering Son Volume 1 (Fantagraphics Books), back in 2011.

Boys Run The Riot Volume 1 does an amazing thing.  From the moment I started reading, I only thought of Ryo as a boy.  Creator Keito Gaku only ever presents Ryo as a high school boy, and midway through the first chapter (entitled “Encounter”), Ryo declares to Jin, “I'm a guy on the inside!”  At that point, the narrative makes conveys the fact that Ryo is a guy through and through – at least to me.

I like Guka's art with its expressive faces and large, emotive eyes on the characters.  Ryo and Jin's street fashions fit them so naturally and with a sense of ease.  Guka's graphical storytelling feels at ease, but it is also capable of sudden changes and explosive displays of emotion.  Ryo and Jin's friendship is an evolving relationship, and there are plenty of bumps along the way, especially because Jin likes to tease and provoke.

Leo McDonagh's English-language translation perfectly fits the art and storytelling, while Ashley Caswell's lettering captures the many moods of the chapters contained in this first volume.  I thought that I would like Boys Run The Riot, and this first volume makes me want to read more.  The final chapter of Vol. 1 (Chapter 7: “Riot”) sets up some interesting things to come.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of transgender manga, of high school-set manga, and of comics about fashion will want Boys Run The Riot.

A
9 out of 10

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


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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Juniors: September 2021 - Update #98

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS: 

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Ike Perlmutter, the Chair of Marvel Entertainment, is among three men accused of breaking the law by Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. This involves Perlmutter's stint under former President Trump as an advisor to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  Writer Tom King and artist Greg Smallwood's upcoming 12-issue series, "The Human Target," is a "whodunit."

EN MEMORIAM - From ANN:  Takao Saito, the creator of the long-running manga, "Golgo 13," has died at the age of 84.  Saito died Friday, September 24, 2021 from pancreatic cancer.  Saito launched "Golgo 13" in 1968 and it went on to become the oldest manga still in manga still in production.  Saito reportedly wanted the series to continue after his death.

COMICS TO FILM - From Deadline:   Alice Waddington ("Paradise Hills") is set to direct Netflix’s adaptation of "Dept. H," which is based on the popular Dark Horse Comics comic book series. Mike Richardson, Keith Goldberg and Paul Schwake of Dark Horse Entertainment will produce.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  There are apparently problems with printing and distribution in the comic book industry.

COMICS TO ANIMATION - From YouTube:  This is a teaser trailer for Netflix's anime, "Super Crooks," based on the Mark Millar comic book.  The trailer is in Japanese, and the anime is produced Japan's "Studio Bones."

COMICS TO TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Amazon Studios has given a formal series greenlight to a YA spinoff from the Emmy-nominated superhero drama "The Boys," produced by Sony Pictures Television.

COMICS - From Bloomberg:  An article about the dispute between comic book artists and Marvel and DC Comics over NFTs (non-fungible tokens).

STAN LEE - From WeGotThisCovered:   Marvel has filed five lawsuits against the families of Steve Ditko, Gene Colan, and Stan Lee, claiming that the superheroes they created are ineligible for copyright termination as they were created as works for hire on a contractual basis.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:   On August 26th, 2021, Patrick S Ditko, a relative of the comic book writer-artist, Steve Ditko, and administrator of his estate, registered two notices of copyright termination against Marvel Entertainment for the first appearances of Doctor Strange and Spider-Man, two characters Ditko co-created, in comic books.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  Here is a preview of "Batman: The Imposter #1."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Jason Pearson is promising the return of his "Body Bags" comic book ... again ... this time for 2022 ... although he took nearly $40,000 in Kickstarter money from fans in 2015 ...

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Science fiction author, Victor LaValle, is writing a "Sabertooth" comic book for Marvel Comics.  The first issue is due in December.

DYNAMITE - From BleedingCool:  Writer Scott Lobdell and artist Ariel Medal are launching a new "Evil Ernie" comic book for Dynamite Entertainment's "Chaos Comics" line.

From BleedingCool:  Vampirella and Dracula unite for "Vampirella/Dracula: Unholy!," a new comic book series by Christopher Priest and Donny Hadiwidjaja and Dynamite Entertainment.

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JACK KIRBY - From BleedingCool:  Chuck Rozanski, owner of Mile High Comics, has obtained a copy of the manuscript of "The Horde," an unpublished novel by the late comic book legend, Jack Kirby.

MANGA TO FILM - From THR:  "Pacific Rim: Uprising" actor, Mackenyu, and Madison Iseman, as well as Sean Bean, Famke Janssen, Nick Stahl, Diego Tinoco and Mark Dacascos, are among the cast of "Knights of the Zodiac," a live-action adaptation of the 1980s manga and anime series, "Saint Seiya," being made by Toei Animation and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions.

MANGA - From OtakuStudy:  Seven Seas Entertainment announces several new manga acquisitions for 2022.

COMICS - From WTXL:  Florida State University’s Strozier Library is missing thousands of comic books and literature. Most of the books missing are from the 1950s and 1970s. They were part of the Robert M. Ervin Jr. Collection.

MARVEL - GamesRadar: Marvel Comics' current "Guardians of the Galaxy" comic book series just ended with the publication of its 18th issue.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   The sites talks about "Avengers Forever," which features a "multiversal" Avengers team.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The site has a first-look at Geoff Johns and Bryan Hitch's "Redcoat," which debuts in the "Geiger 80-Page Giant #1," which is due Nov. 24th.

IMAGE COMICS - From GamesRadar:  Artist Greg Capullo's cover for Todd McFarlane's "The Scorched #1" has been revealed.  The comic book is due Dec.15th.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:  Batgirl/Barbara Gordon hits the streets in a new costume in "Nightwing #84."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  There will not be any "Predator" comic books from Marvel Comics in 2021.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Scholastic Books offers a preview of art from its Marvel graphic novel, "Captain America: The Ghost Army."  Written by Alan Gratz and drawn by Brent Schoonover, it is due August 2022.

#BATMANDAY - From GamesRadar: Will Brian Michael Bendis be writing DC's flagship, "Batman."

From DCBlog:  Meet the new Batman, "Jace Fox."

From DCBlog:  Get the details on the upcoming DC Black Label, three-issue comic book, "Batman: The Imposter."

MARVEL/IDW - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics has withdrawn IDW Publishing's license to produce "Marvel Action," a line of comic books featuring Marvel characters, but aimed at "All-Ages and middle-grade readers.

IDW - From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing and Penguin Random House Publisher Services  today announced an exclusive worldwide multi-year sales and distribution agreement for IDW's newly published and backlist comic book periodicals, trade collections, and graphic novels to the Direct Market comic shops beginning June 1, 2022. 

ARCHIE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Archie Publications and WEBTOON's first collaboration is "Big Ethel Energy."  The first three episodes of this webcomic will debut Sept. 21, 2021.

MARVEL TV - From PinkNews:  According to the showrunner, Freeform's planed "New Warriors" TV series was cancelled because one executive thought it was "too gay."

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Artist Denys Cowan is drawing "Nocterra Special: Blacktop Bill," which is being written by "Nocterra" co-creator and writer, Scott Snyder.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Jeff Lemire will write and Doug Mahnke will draw "Swamp Thing: Green Hell," a three-issue miniseries for DC Comics' "DC Black Label" imprint.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Becky Cloonan, Michael Conrad and Jorge Corona are launching a new "Batgirls" series from DC Comics.  It will star Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown as the Batgirls, with Barbara Gordon as Batgirl Prime/Oracle, guiding their paths.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer Robert Venditti and artist Michael Avon Oeming are reviving the classic DC Comics title, "World of Krypton."

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Marvel Comics reveals some details about its Daredevil event, "Devil's Reign."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Matt Wagner's classic comic book character, Grendel/Hunter Rose," and his story will become an eight-episode, live-action TV series via Netflix.  Wagner and Dark Horse Entertainment (Grendel's current publisher) will be among the series' executive producers.

VIZ MEDIA - From ScreenRant:   This is an article about "Ultimo," the manga the late Stan Lee created with Hiroyuki Takei, the creator of the manga, "Shaman King."

BOOKS -  From MentalFloss:   Here is a list of 11 classic books that were adapted into graphic novels, including "A Wrinkle in Time."

MARVEL - From TheWrap:   A near-mint copy of “Amazing Fantasy #15, which featured the debut appearance of Spider-Man, was auctioned for $3.6 million, breaking the sales record for a comic book previously held by "Action Comics #1" (1939), which featured the first appearance of Superman.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:   Mike Mignola will write and draw his first full-length comic book since "Hellboy in Hell" (2016). "Sir Edward Grey: Achero" is scheduled to arrive in December.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Here is a preview of "Titans United #1."

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   Marvel spokesman tells "Newsarama" that artist Joe Bennett will not be working with the company on "any future Marvel projects."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   The site is reporting that DC Comics will launch a new series, "Batman Beyond: Neo Year" in April 2022.

DISNEY+ - From TheDirect:   Today (Mon., Sept 13th) is supposedly the day in which a trailer for the Disney+/Marvel Studios series, "Hawkeye," will debut.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From ShadowandAct:   Fans, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, and "Blade" reboot director (Bassim Tariq), aren't having it with the erasure of the importance of "Blade" 1998 to 21st century superhero movies.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   The superstar team of writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips has turned down an "Substack Pro" offer.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   "Batman: Wayne Family Adventures," the first WEBTOON series based on DC Comics characters, has made its debut.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Marvel has released a trailer and preview art for "Amazing Spider-Man #75."  That issue apparently sees Peter Parker leaving the starring role in the series.

COMICS - From CBR:  Jeff Lemire announces "Fishflies," his first comic book series for "Substack," the online newsletter platform.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Meet Marvel Comics' weirdest pet hero, Jeff the Land Shark.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Artist Joe Bennett has been dropped as one of the artists on Marvel Comics' "Timeless" one-shot.  Because of  his anti-Semitic controversies, Marvel may no longer associate with Bennett.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Mirage Studios, the original home and publisher of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," is ceasing business this month.

COMICS - From GamesRadar:  "Batman Day 2021" (Sept. 18th) plans revealed.

MARVEL TELEVISION - From ComicBook:   One of the Marvel Comics series that almost had a TV series was "New Warriors," which was being developed for Freeform, but the pilot was cancelled and the series could not find another home.  Series creator Kevin Biegel has provided a look at the costume for Doreen Green/Squirrel Girl, who was to be played by actress Milana Vayntrub.

BOOKS - From BleedingCool:   "Hellboy" creator Mike Mignola is illustrating a new edition of Carlo Collodi's "Pinocchio."

KODANSHA - From BleedingCool:   Kodansha will publish "Akira: The Art of Wall" in June 2022, which will collect the "Akira" collage art of series creator Katsuhiro Otomo and artist Kosuke Kawamura.

MANGA TO LIVE-ACTION TV - From CrunchyRoll:   A live-action TV drama adaptation of Wataru Hinekure (story) and Aruko (art)'s shoujo manga "Kieta Hatsukoi / Vanishing My First Love" is set to be aired on Japanese terrestrial stations in October 2021.

MANGA TO ANIME - From ANN:   Sakuya Kuroda's "Rich Police Cash" (Rich Kaikan Cash) manga will have an anime that will debut on the "Coro Coro Channel" YouTube channel this fall.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:    Miles Morales' new Spider-Man suit profiled in Chase Conley design variant for "Miles Morales: Spider-Man #30."

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:  In the wake of the huge box office success of Marvel Studios' "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," Sony has moved up the release date on its "Venom" sequel, "Venom: Let There Be Carnage," from October 15th to the new release date, October 1st.

Inverse's Eric Francisco on "SHANG-CHI": 

PART ONE:  How Marvel's Shang-Chi had to "destroy" its own racist origins

 

PART TWO: Shang-Chi was your favorite superhero’s favorite superhero. (Here's why he vanished.)

 

PART THREE: How Asian American internet trailblazers gave new life to Shang-Chi - The final story in a series on Shang-Chi’s origins, rise, fall, and rebirth.

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MARVEL STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:   Bassam Tariq, the director of Marvel Studios' reboot of the "Blade" film franchise, may be suggesting that the next Blade film will not follow the comic books.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:   On Instagram, "Aquaman" star Jason Momao has revealed two costumes from the upcoming sequel, "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom."

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Rich Johnston gives Bryan Seaton of problematic publisher, Action Lab Comics, a chance to do some explaining about the complaining of his comics creators.

comiXology - From BleedingCool:  The "comiXology" website will shut down this coming fall.  Visitors will be redirected to a digital comics section at Amazon.com.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Italian comic book artist, Matteo Scalera, will draw Mark Millar's "King of Spies," a comic book spinoff of a movie that Mark Millar created for Netflix.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Alicia Keys, will join co-writer Andrew Weiner and artist Brittney Williams for a young adult graphic novel, "Girl on Fire."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   "Timeless" is a Marvel Comics initiative which will see several times published in 2021 and 2022 that celebrate the publication of Marvel Comics #1 in 1939.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Legendary X-Men comic book writer, Chris Claremont, is reportedly writing a new comic book series featuring a member of the X-Men that he co-created, Gambit.

COMICS TO FILM - From Deadline:   Disney is reviving one of its cult favorite properties, "The Rocketeer" (1990), with a new Disney+ movie titled "The Return of the Rocketeer."  David and Jessica Oyelowo are producing under their Yoruba Saxon banner.  The project, written by Ed Ricourt, will also be a possible starring project for David Oyelowo, who starred in "Selma."

DC TV - From Variety:   The CW's “Batwoman” has cast actress Bridget Regan as the iconic DC Comics supervillain, "Poison Ivy," for the show’s third season.

CANADA - From TVO:   Here is the story behind Canada's very first comic book, "Better Comics #1," from Maple Leaf Publishing.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Former Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter talks about signing away "Secret Wars" and "Venom" for $10,000.

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SEPTEMBER 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for September 2021 

From BleedingCool:  AWA for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazines for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for September 2021

OCTOBER 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Aardvark Vanaheim for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for October 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Black Masks for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2021

From CBR:  DC Comics for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for October 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazine for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2021

From CBR:  Marvel Comics for October 2021

From BleedingCool: Oni Press for October 2021

From 2000AD:  Rebellion for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for October 2021

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for October 2021

From BleedingCool: VIZ Media for October 2021

NOVEMBER 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea Corp for November 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dead Good Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for November 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Silver Sprocket for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for November 2021

From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for November 2021

DECEMBER 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze artbooks and manga for December 2021

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for December 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for December 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for December 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for December 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2021

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#IReadsYou Review: RADIANT BLACK #2

RADIANT BLACK #2
IMAGE COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kyle Higgins
ART: Marcelo Costa
COLORS: Marcelo Costa
LETTERS: Becca Carey
EDITOR/DESIGNER: Michael Busuttil
COVER: Marcelo Costa
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Diego Greco; Rod Reis
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (March 2021)

Rated “T+/Teen Plus”

“Better Off Red”

Radiant Black is a new superhero comic book series from writer Kyle Higgins and artist Marcelo Costa.  The series focuses on a failed writer who discovers a cosmic force that changes his life.  Letterer Becca Carey and designer Michael Busuttil complete the series' creative team.

Radiant Black introduces Nathan Burnett, who just turned thirty-years-old, and things are not going great.  A failed writer (thus far), Nathan leaves Los Angeles and returns home to Lockport, Illinois to live with his parents.  A night on the town with his old pal, Marshall, leads to Nathan unlocking an alien artifact that changes his life.  This new thing seems totally unique, but there is more to it than Nathan can imagine.

Radiant Black #2 (“Better Off Red”) opens the morning after Nathan found the alien artifact that has likely turned him into a superhero.  Today, however, Nathan's dad says he has to get a job, so Nathan returns to driving for the ride-share company, Drivr.  Nathan uses this as a chance to work in Chicago where someone who is wearing a suit just like Nathan's, except it is red, uses his alien powers to rob banks.  And Nathan needs to talk to him...

THE LOWDOWN:  Radiant Black may the first entry in a new “shared universe” of superhero titles from Image Comics, if what I read on the Internet is true.  That is what initially made me interested in Radiant Black, but now, I want to read it because it is a damn good read.

Marcelo Costa's art and colors in the first issue looked radiant, but in this second issue Costa's graphical storytelling focuses on character development and relationships and drama.  Yes, the inevitable fight scenes look great, but Radiant Black can get all dramatic and stuff.

I am still not sure what pace writer Kyle Higgins will use in revealing Radiant Black's secrets, but right now, Radiant Black is charming and sweet.  Radiant Black is just an excellent comic book to simply read.

I liked Radiant Black #1, but I did not give it a grade, although it seemed like something I should call “a perfect first issue.”  Radiant Black #2 is demanding a grade, and it is also the kind of comic book that makes you pine for the next issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans looking for something new with a touch of classic in superhero comic books will want to try Radiant Black.

8 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/
https://radiant.black/
https://twitter.com/KyleDHiggins
https://twitter.com/CostaMarcelo77
https://www.instagram.com/marcelocosta1977/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

#IReadsYou Movie Review: SUPERMAN: Red Son

Superman: Red Son (2020)

Running time:  87 minutes(1 hour, 27 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for violent content, bloody images, suggestive material, language, thematic elements and some smoking.
DIRECTOR:  Sam Liu
WRITERS:  J.M. DeMatteis (based on characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Sam Liu and Amy McKenna
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Sam Register and Bruce Timm
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinski
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann  
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Digital eMation, Inc.

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Jason Isaacs, Amy Acker, Diedrich Bader, Vanessa Marshall, Phil Morris, Paul Williams, Greg Chun, Phil LeMarr, Jim Meskimen, Sasha Roiz, William Salyers, Roger Craig Smith, Jason Spisak, Tara Strong, Anna Vocino, Jim Ward, Travis Willingham, and Winter Ave Zoli

Superman: Red Son is a 2020 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and director Sam Liu.  It is the thirty-seventh film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series.  The film is based on the 2003, four-issue, comic book miniseries, Superman: Red Son, written by Mark Millar and drawn by Dave Johnson and Kilian Plunkett.

The traditional origin of Superman is as follows.  A rocket ship from the doomed planet, Krypton, carries baby Kal-El to Earth.  It lands in the United States, specifically in a field near the town of Smallville, Kansas.  Jonathan and Martha Kent find the rocket and Kal-El inside.  They adopt him and name him “Clark Kent,” and Clark grows up to be Superman.  The premise of Superman: Red Son is that the rocket ship landed in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) a.k.a. the Soviet Union.

Superman: Red Son opens in the Soviet Union during the year 1946.  There, we meet a young boy who is being chased by a gang of bullies.  The boy's friend, a young girl named Svetlana, defends him by chasing the bullies away.  The boy reveals to Svetlana that he was not scared of the boys, but that he was instead scared for their safety.  The boy then reveals to Svetlana his superhuman strength and his ability to fly.

In the year 1955, the Soviet Union releases a propaganda film of an alien superhuman under the command of the nation's premiere, Joseph Stalin.  The American media dubs the alien, the “Soviet Superman” (Jason Isaacs).  In the United States, President Dwight D. Eisenhower (Jim Meskimen) tasks genius scientist, industrialist, and inventor, Lex Luthor (Diedrich Bader), to develop countermeasures against this Soviet Superman.

After the Soviet Superman prevents a satellite from crashing into the American city of Metropolis, Luthor's wife, Lois Lane Luthor (Amy Acker), secures an interview with him.  Lois uses the interview to reveal to him a top secret document that indicates the horrors Premiere Stalin perpetuates against some citizens of the Soviet Union behind Superman's back.  This leads to changes in the nature of Superman's relationship with the Soviet Union and also with the world at large.  Now, a Cold War between Superman and the United States begins, with Lex guiding the U.S. side.  Can the world survive Superman's goals and Lex Luthor's machinations?

The novelty of Superman: Red Son is that it offers alternate-reality versions of not only Superman, Lex Luthor, and Lois Lane, but also of Batman, the Green Lantern Corps, and Wonder Woman (Vanessa Marshall).  However, the novelty soon wears off, and Superman: Red Son's gimmick grow old and cold rather quickly.

Luckily, Superman, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, and Wonder Woman are so well-written in terms of personality and character drama that I found myself fascinated by the inter-character relationships involving these four.  Beyond that, I was initially fascinated by the film, but felt less so after the first half hour.

I have never read Mark Millar's original comic book, Superman: Red Son, but I have been planning to for ages, although I keep putting it off.  I am a huge fan of the majority of Millar's comic book output.  Superman: Red Son has its moments, but after seeing it, now, I really need to read the comic book.

B

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


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: ThoughtScape Comics #1 - Print Edition

THOUGHTSCAPE COMICS #1 (Print Edition)
MATT MAIR LOWERY

[UPDATE: ThoughtScape Comics 2024 Kickstarter campaign is now live.]

STORY: Matt Mair Lowery
ART: Dave Law; Tyrell Cannon; Lisa Naffziger; Karl Slominski
COLORS: Dave Law; Tyrell Cannon; Lisa Naffziger; Karl Slominski
LETTERS: Dave Law; Tyrell Cannon; Lisa Naffziger; Karl Slominski
DESIGN: John Larson
COVER: Jenna Cha
48pp, Color, $8.00 U.S. digital, $12.00 U.S. print (July 2021)

ThoughtScape Comics is new science fiction anthology comic book series from writer Matt Mair Lowery.  Lowery is the writer and co-creator with artist Cassie Anderson of Lifeformed, a YA science fiction graphic novel series published first, by Dark Horse Comics and now, by Scout Comics.

Lowery released a PDF edition of the first issue of ThoughtScape Comics in order to promote the “Kickstarter” crowdfunding campaign for the comic, which was fully funded.  Lowery recently shipped physical copies of ThoughtScape Comics #1 to supporters, of which I am one.

Lowery has stated that each issue of ThoughtScape Comics will contain 44+ pages of content, featuring stories written by Lowery and drawn by up-and-coming comic book artists.  Some of the stories will be self-contained and others will be part of a serial.  Multimedia artist, John Larsen, will provide the graphic design and packaging for each issue.

ThoughtScape Comics #1 contains four stories.  Lowery is joined by artists Dave Law, Tyrell Cannon, Lisa Naffziger, and Karl Slominski.  Two stories are apparently serials, and the other two are standalone stories.

ThoughtScape Comics is set in a world in which humanity's first multi-planet conglomerate, LifeTech, discovered the “ThoughtScape” in the late 21st century.  The ThoughtScape is a fifth dimension where every thought that has ever been thought exists.  Using technology of its own innovation, LifeTech began isolating and monitoring these thoughts (via "ThoughtScape Listening Posts").

Later, LifeTech began capturing and recording these thoughts through Thought & Information Service Collection Officers (TISCOs).  Eventually technological advancements allowed that the entire “ThoughtLives” of both living individuals and of the long-dead could be virtually reconstructed and played back through a variety of media formats.  The stories of ThoughtScape Comics will focus on the designs and intentions of LifeTech; the nature of ThoughtScape; and how people and beings connect, react, and exist with both.

THE LOWDOWN:  For the review of ThoughtScape Comics #1, I will offer comments on each of the four stories individually.

The first story is “Thoughtscape 2319: Parish, The Thought . Part 1,” the first part of a serial.  It is written by Lowery and drawn by Dave Law.  The story takes place at the edges of the galactic frontier in the year 2319.  Week 32.4, Thought & Information Service Collection Officer (TISCO) Odessa Query patrols her beat, currently the Hen 3-593 Di Chamaelontis System – 700 light years from Earth.

Her TISCO ship collects thoughts from ThoughtScape Listening Post Di.Cha.036, while she entertains her ship's neurocorder, Feyla.  Query prepares to move on to her next assigned Listening Post when she is diverted to an ongoing disaster.

Because of its cliffhanger ending, I am excited to read more of this story, especially because Lowery teases something awesome and awful coming to scare us, dear readers.  Dave Law's drawing style is perfect for science fiction comic books, and the design of the characters and the technology are convincing.  I also like Law's impressive title page drawing (for which I wouldn't mind having the original art).

The second story is “A Spy Without A face,” illustrated by Tyrell Cannon.  The story pits a mysterious “spy without a face” against a pack of assassins who have broken into a mysterious LifeTech facility.  Both sides get more than they bargained for in this black and white tale.

Cannon's graphical storytelling is high-speed and hyper-kinetic with the graphic design sensibilities of science fiction anime and manga.  Lowery's story allows Cannon to draw an explosive tale that is visceral and thrilling.  I'd like to see another Lowery-Cannon creation, and this story also made me seek out more information about Tyrell Cannon.

The third story is “Adorable Orphans,” written by Lowery and drawn and colored by Lisa Naffziger.  Sally, an elementary school-age girl, loves her “Grammie,” her grandmother.  Her parents seem to despise the old woman, and they are particular about the things to which Grammie exposes Sally.

One day, Sally gets a package from Grammie.  Inside is the season’s hottest toy trend, one of LifeTech’s “Adorable Orphan android dolls” (also called a “DollDroid”).  The girl DollDroid's name is Betty, and she is a great friend for Sally, but everyone else better watch out.

“Adorable Orphans” is by far the best story in ThoughtScape Comics #1.  It is straight-forward, but Lowery is sly and sneaky in the way he surprises the readers in unexpected ways.  For instance, Sally's parents are both snobby and vulgar.  What's going on with Grammie?  And there is certainly more to Sally than what appears on the surface.

Lisa Naffziger's compositions and coloring are more alt-comics than children's comics, although I can understand why some people would see her work as the latter.  Lowery and Naffziger have created in “Adorable Orphans” a concept that could live on its own outside the world of ThoughtScape Comics.  If I were in Hollywood film and television production, I'd swoop in and buy the media rights for “Adorable Orphans” away from the rest of this package.

The fourth and final story is “Ex Post Facto: A Dash Varrick Misadventure . Part 1.”  A press release from Lowery describes the story in the following way:

XXXX#$%@&*!(AGAIN)))...Murder and music at the fringes of the revolution! he’s just a drop in the Co- maXYxXc o p y X > P A S T E Y # % Z o n e , - - h e ’ s - - y o u & M E m e M E . h e ’ s d - d - d a s h D A S H .tooLATEagaFILEretrieveERRORERR.accessing…

The art by Karl Slominski has elements that remind me of David Mack, especially, and of Bill Sienkiewiz, a little.  Otherwise, I have no idea what's going on with this story.

Overall, I like ThoughtScape Comics #1.  It presents such an expansive science fiction concept with a universe of possibilities as big as anything offered by the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises.  The print edition makes it much easier to engage the story and to enjoy the in-narrative adds.  It will also be easier for readers to appreciate what an impressive graphics package this comic book is and to also recognize the work of designer John Larson.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of science fiction anthology comic books (such as 2000 AD) will want to try ThoughtScape Comics.

A
8 of 10

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

 

You can order ThoughtScape Comics #1 - print or digital - here.

https://twitter.com/mattmlpdx
https://www.mmlcomics.com/thoughtscape-comics
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mattmlpdx/thoughtscape-comics-1
https://twitter.com/TCannonComics
https://twitter.com/lisanaffziger
https://twitter.com/KarlSlominski
https://www.instagram.com/itsdavelaw/
https://twitter.com/kale_satan
https://johnlarsen.net/


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