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Today's reviews!

Reviews for 19-12-21 
​Reviews for 18-12-21 Reviews for 17-12-21 Reviews for 16-12-21
​Reviews for 15-12-21 Reviews for 14-12-21 Reviews for 13-12-21
​Reviews for 12-12-21 Reviews for 11-12-21 Reviews for 10-12-21
​Reviews for 09-12-21 Reviews for 08-12-21 Reviews for 07-12-21
​Reviews for 06-12-21 Reviews for 05-12-21 Reviews for 04-12-21
​Reviews for 03-12-11 Reviews for 02-12-21 Reviews for 01-12-21

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Punks Not Dead #01

2/24/2018

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Punks Not Dead #01
Black Crown/IDW Publishing 2018
Written by David Barnett
Illustrated by Martin Simmonds
Colour Flats by Dee Cunniffe
Lettered by Aditya Bidikar


     As if being an awkward, bullied 15-year-old isn't bad enough, "Fergie" Ferguson suddenly discovers he can see dead people. Well, one dead person specifically—the ghost of a certain punk rocker named Sid. Sid's spirit was trapped in London's Heathrow Airport for 40 years until the day he met Fergie. Sid's ghost is now stuck to Fergie—as if Fergie doesn't have enough on his plate, being raised by a single mum whose idea of parenting is strictly fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants. Now Fergie has to contend with an unruly ghost sidekick and some weird, uncontrollable new "abilities." How does the father Fergie never knew fit into this mayhem? And why is the Department for Extra-Usual Affairs showing an interest? Never Mind the Bollocks—all of this plus fish fingers, chunky chips, and endless pints of anarchy.

     Well at first glance I thought a kid haunted by Sid Vicious (we can’t use the last name for copyright reasons I am guessing) he meets at the Airport. However with the success of previous collaborations between Black Crown and IDW have resulted in some excellent reading we of course gave it a look see. I have to say I was rather impressed by this and the way that David structured the book so as we learned what we needed to as it went along was paced extremely well also. So yeah this first issue left a positive impression and the meat of the story is intriguing so that we want to know more.

     A little background on Fergie is presented to us and how he’s come to be called Fergie though I’m not quite sure if the nickname is an insult or not. I think we come to realise at a certain point that perhaps Fergie was destined for something like this to happen to him. In some way shape of form he was going to find something extraordinary and it would change his life. From the way Mum makes money, honestly I am surprised she’s not just a tart, and she drags him along parading him like she does well it makes me wonder how he has kept sane on his own this long? I mean hell I can’t even tell if he’s got a best mate at this point or not, and I am doubting he does.

     The interiors here are very nice to see as well. Martin has a nice eye for storytelling as he demonstrates through the page layouts and the angles and perspective seen in the panels. There are some nice backgrounds in play but not nearly enough of them in my humble opinion yet when we see the pattern in the floor or Sid phasing in and out of that wall it’s pretty darn impressive so having Aditya come in and add her thing to the Sid part yeah wow. The creativity and imagination on display is interesting to see and I look forward to seeing more nasties that need taken care of.

     Fergie is in desperate need of a friend who can help him learn to have fun. Sid isn’t exactly a great role model but he’ll him things that quite honestly he needs to learn and he’ll become a better man for it. Then add into the mix Dorothy Culpepper and her department in the British Government and well things get more complicated all around. Also the introduction of here new protege was well done and nicely slipped in was the love of his life.

     Not at all what I was thinking it would be and ends up being so much more. With this Department in play, Sid as his new best mate by his side as the world around him is going to get much weirder, Fergie and us are in for a wild ride here. Thankfully there’s no timeline for this to be told as it’s a new ongoing monthly and count me in because comedic supernatural/horror never looked so good.
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Taarna #1

2/24/2018

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Taarna #1
Heavy Metal Comics 2018
Written by Alex De Campi
Illustrated by Esau Escorza & Isaac Escorza
Coloured by Carlos Cabrera
Lettered by Adam Wollet


    In 2507 Demons besiege the city where Heavy Metal's legendary character finally gets her own ongoing series delivering another tale of the immortal warrior's quest to avenge injustice. 

     Well for those of you who are unfamiliar with Taarna, such as folk like myself, then this is a great introduction to the character. The concept of where and when this story takes place is well conceived and I like that those of a certain age are conscripted into the city’s army. There are plenty examples where citizens are required to join their nations army at certain age so this isn’t a surprise for me and I think it’s pretty smart up to a point. Alex’s use of it here is very well done and I like that there’s so much to it than the reader sees.

     Alex has a pretty strong writing chops and she’s good with how it should flow and that is done here nicely. From introduction to the world to the last page we get to see some really nice flow of information and story/plot development and some very interesting characterisation and character development. I’ll be honest I liked this a lot more than I thought I would and while Heavy Metal Comics aren’t so popular in this area and chasing this down was a hassle it’s one I’m glad I undertook.

     I will say this is an adults only book and if the first appearance of Taarna is any indication than yeah. Though while I am not one to shy away from nudity in comics, so long as it doesn’t feel like titties for titties sake and if it keeps up and there’s equal representation then of course I’m perfectly fine with it.

     I am kind of obsessed with Kit and Suki already. Do not ask why because I cannot explain it but they remind me greatly of Wily Kit and Wily Kat and well yeah that’s near enough for me but also what they represent is strongly present here. Youth and determination and rebelling against authority it all has that ring of the young wanting truth and not to throw their lives away just because someone told them to. Not only that but they are kind of essential to the story here and once you read it you’ll see why but thank you Alex because these kids are sensational character creations.

     LOVE and I mean love the interior artwork here! The linework is gorgeous and the different weights that we see are superb. The softness and hardness contrast and compliment each other perfectly. From the futuristic inside of the official buildings to the commoners area that seems like any slum you’ve ever seen this kind of dichotomy is surprising not surprising. The use of page layouts so we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a great eye for storytelling. The attention to detail is wonderful and the utilisation of backgrounds expands our knowledge and thoughts on what we see of the world.

     So the what we learn and the revelations we get by the last page really ignite the readers passion, fire and desire to see more. I want to see more I want to know what’s really going on and what it meant to see the riders face. Will Kit and Suki survive their experience in the army, mind controlled or not? There’s nothing honourable about the way cadets are sent out to meet these demons so no “we who are...” yeah that’s not happening.
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     Sleek, stylish and way beyond anything you’ll expect this to be it really is a delight to read and I promise you’ll never think of Heavy Metal the same way again.
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Bloodborne #1

2/24/2018

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Bloodborne #1
Titan Comics 2018
Written by Ales Kot
Illustrated by Piotr Kowalski
Coloured by Brad Simpson
Lettered by Aditya Bidikar
Original Game by Sony Computer Entertainment


     I have been taking chances on the game into comics that Titan has been doing and they’ve been doing such a good job at! Now the creative team here is another added bonus because I do like how Ales’ mind works and how he tells a story. He is a talented man and it shows in his work now alongside one of my favourite underrated artists in Piotr this was pretty much going to a no brainer choice. Now I don’t know who did the interiors for the opening with the credits but holy moley is that some nice stuff and it set the stage beautifully for the rest of the issue.

     I like how this book is structured I like the flow of the story and how Ales manages to make this both its own entity and yet it still behaves like the game. There is this cleverness to the way this is told that I really like and am drawn to. It is also one you have to pay attention to because there are clues strewn throughout the issue about what’s really going on and most folks will not realise it until the last page and ya know what’s the best way to go.

     For someone who doesn’t or has never played this game I thought this was a superb introduction and it’s easy to see why people like it. Killing the undead, werewolves and the all the supernatural like while being a hunter yeah the whole thing sounds cool and has a lot of untold promise. Stories set in this kind of universe have that propensity of blending horror and action in a way that people love. So the setting for this is solid and has all the intrigue one can handle because honestly I’m also one who is waiting to see what kind of big bad is at the helm here. That being in the dark isn’t a bad thing may surprise some folks, those who need instant gratification, it enhances the experience in my opinion.

     Piotr is an amazing artist and I say that every time I see his work and I’m never wrong about that. The attention to detail here is phenomenal from the brick work in the buildings to the our hunter and his outfit to the dead and those like them are all so well conceived. The way page layouts are done so that we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off his eye for storytelling. That backgrounds are utilised as effectively as they are here expands the story in ways that really help us see this world. Oh and if all that weren’t enough those crystal blue eyes are a complete standout.

     When the Hunter gets to the church and goes inside I wasn’t prepared for what he and by extension we’d find. I like the questions it raises at least in my own mind and the role they play in the story. There’s a way that game play is felt here that you can never pinpoint if what you are thinking is correct and that for me is fantastic plus the use of characterisation through dialogue shows us that not everything or everyone is trapped in a game style world so now one has to wonder what is really going on here.
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     Nothing goes or is as it seems and the constant twists and turns this story takes means the moment you think you have something figured out you immediately learn the errors of your way of thinking. From the subject matter to the way we see it and the story it’s all wrapped around this is a gem.  
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Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye/Swamp Thing Special

2/23/2018

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Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye/Swamp Thing Special
DC Comics 2018
Written by Jon Rivera
Illustrated by Langdon Foss
Coloured by Nick Filardi
Lettered by Clem Robins


     “MILK WARS” part four! Swamp Thing has detected a disturbance in the Green, and his hunt for it has led him to RetCo headquarters. There he finds Cave Carson and his crew struggling against being assimilated into RetCo’s diabolical narrative. Is it possible for Swampy and Cave to destroy the organization from the inside? Plus, find out how their efforts help Eternity Girl in the final installment of her backup story!

     Not going to lie I was looking forward to this one when it was announced more than any of the others. I have adored Cave Carson’s return and to see him and Swamp Thing together just makes the fanboy inside me squeal in delight. While I know this is all a part of this Milkman Man nonsense it was still so worth it to see this team up. Jon goes above and beyond what I thought could happen here and it was marvellously done. The way he structured this story was fantastic the way that this open up and we see our cast of characters in this trance like state well it just started off on that proverbial right foot.

     There are moments here that will rock your world and I mean that. That feeling when you think Cave lactose intolerant but it turns out to be something else was unexpected and delightful. The way that we see all this and how it flows through the pages shows me that Jon means business and really enjoys and is good at what he does. You can tell when a writer has that fire and passion for what they do and for me I feel that with Jon it’s like he appreciates these characters as much as I do and to feel that connection is amazing.

     Langdon and Nick do some inspired work here on the interiors. That we are in Cave’s world it makes sense that the artwork give off the vibe of his series and the guys do that and so much more. How they brought Swamp Thing into the book was beyond a wow moment I mean c’mon, then the whole time we see Swamp Thing the tone, feel and look of him fits perfectly into Langdon’s style. The use of page layouts so that we see these angles and perspective in the panels shows off an amazing eye for storytelling and I am kind of understating what we see because damn this shit is good. The attention to detail, the imagination and creativity on display and how it just makes the reader feel is sensational.

     I love the fact that Swamp Thing can feel something wrong through this disruption in the Green and since he is unable to investigate beyond the outside he enlists Cave and his teams help. The whole concept works, the villainy that we see here makes for the kind of reading that makes for epic arcs in books. With his daughter and Wild Dog by his side I don’t think there is anything the group cannot do and working side by side with Swamp Thing is this strange dream come true.

     Somehow some way there is this hope and optimism in this that you forget existed in comic books. Things are bad and sometimes you have to do something you hate or get angry over but then to see that and still feel like the characters haven’t lost that special something which is why we follow them is utterly fantastic. It isn’t ironic at all that the best storytelling at DC is set outside their “established” universe and instead is on the fringes. Even if you don’t want to read the whole thing, don’t but read this one it’s superbly written and illustrated.
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Doctor Strange Damnation #1

2/23/2018

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Doctor Strange Damnation #1
Marvel Comics 2018
Written by Nick Spencer & Donny Cates
Illustrated by Rod Reis
Lettered by VC’s Travis Lanham


      The city of sin gets its biggest sinner yet. When Doctor Strange raises Las Vegas up from its destruction during SECRET EMPIRE, he inadvertently opens a big door for the embodiment of evil, MEPHISTO! The devilish villain takes the city for himself and sets his sights on the rest of the world. It's going to take heroes from all over the Marvel Universe to defeat him, but there's nothing simple about fighting the lord of Hell.

     Before I start I wanna go on a mini-rant here. I remember a time long ago and far away, in other words my youth, when arcs such as this would just be a part of their series. Is Marvel so desperate for sales that they have to put out a four issue mini-series that could have and more importantly should have been a part of the ongoing monthly series.

     That having been said how long ago was Secret Empire? I feel like that was ages ago already and that this is tie-in to that is somehow wrong. Had this come out hot on the heels of the whole Secret Empire series it would have felt more natural considering Sam is no longer Captain America. Still I guess we needed a cheap way to get this going and this was it. Wow I am being more negative than I thought I’d be here. I don’t read a lot of Marvel and I'm beginning to remember why now. However once we get past the whole mischegas of when this is supposed to take place and we see what Stephen does well hell this is why I wanted to read this!

     The arrogance in thinking that with more power he could things on such a scale that would help make things right after what happened. The arrogance and his inability to recognise it is one of the old school Dr. Strange aspects I really loved about the character. Nobody really enjoyed working with him hell even Wong the dutiful servant got aggravated with him. The guys kind of bring that back and I like seeing it and then the fact he didn’t expect any kind of reaction to what he did well yeah another side of him where his belief in himself is so overrated that it’s delicious.

     Let us talk about Rod for a moment here shall we. His work is utterly fabulous here I really like the style he brings and how the way he does it blends his imagination with detail work that coexist nicely. Seriously he’s come a long way and to see him do head to toe work here of this level of quality is a huge reason to pick this up alone. There are moments Stephen’s face alone is awe inspiring but then we get to Mephisto and the creativity and imagination are wild. His use of page layouts so that we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows such a great eye for storytelling.

     Once Mephisto hits the page all else can be forgiven. The way the boys weave his tale, one of injury and insult, well in his eyes anyway, so that this was the logical thing to do once his property was taken away. The whole idea behind what we see here is superbly rendered and what we get to see while Stephen is talking brings this to a whole different level of insanely good writing.
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     I do like that those Avengers who were present are a non-factor in all this and that there is one person who can rally a group to stop what’s happening. I might disagree about the size of that group but those summoned definitely make me think of Marvel Knights so I am totally in for this. This story if it had appeared in the ongoing monthly would more than likely ended up resulting in more people putting on the pull lists that kind of thinking should really occur more often at Marvel.
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Mata Hari #1

2/22/2018

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Mata Hari #1
Dark Horse Comics 2018
Written by Emma Beeby
Illustrated by Ariela Kristantina
Coloured by Pat Masioni
Lettered by Sal Cipriano


     Dancer. Courtesan. Spy. Executed by a French firing squad in 1917.

     100 years on from her death, questions are still raised about her conviction.

     Now, the lesser-known, often tragic story of the woman who claimed she was born a princess, and died a figure of public hatred with no one to claim her body, is told by drawing on biographies and released MI5 files. In this first part of a five-issue miniseries, we meet Mata Hari in prison at the end of her life as she writes her memoir--part romantic tale of a Javanese princess who performed ''sacred'' nude dances for Europe's elite, and part real-life saga of a disgraced wife and mother, who had everything she loved taken from her. But, as she sits trial for treason and espionage, we hear another tale: one of a flamboyant Dutch woman who became ''the most dangerous spy France has ever captured''--a double agent who whored herself for secrets, lived a life of scandal, and loved only money. Leading us to ask . . . who was the real Mata Hari?

     She has become something of a cultural icon since the days she was active and has made herself more famous in death than in life and that is unthinkable for a woman born when she was. Since her true story was never really known to be revealed she’s been both romanticised and glamorised by feature film makers, writers and more for her bold daring ways and her ability to do what was required for her to live life on her terms. I like that the ladies are asking the question who was the real Mata Hari and delving into that here.

     I am pretty impressed with the first issue here and how it is being told. Working backwards in a sense but it’s not for naught as her final request to the man who arrested her is to publish her memoir. That account of her life and what happened in it by her own hand, not for redemption or out of some sense of justice but to tell her story so people who she was, what happened in her life and what drove her to become who she was. I love that she’s unapologetic about all of it and from the sense of her I get she lived her life without regret and that cannot be said for most people.
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     I can think of no one better than Ariela to bring this story to life. She has this wonderful style and is able to bring the female form to the page with this exotic beauty, grace, dignity and power that takes this from pin-up playgirl to a woman of influence. Her use of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows her eye storytelling and it’s beautifully grand. The linework and it’s different weights are superb and the attention to detail that she brings is amazing not to mention that she uses backgrounds better than most.

     Monsieur Bouchardon is the man who brought Mata Hari into custody in France and it is he who we see her give her manuscript to and it’s he who has to live with what has been done. That we see as much of him as we do here and how instrumental he is leading up to the last moments of her life is great to see. I wasn’t expecting it and once we got it I couldn’t see this happening any other way. So if she had given him her manuscript you might wonder why it’s never come to light, read the story for one such explanation.
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     The life this woman led and if she was who they say she was then she put men to shame with what she was able to accomplish. Enter the world of what Mata Hari’s story could have been and make your own decisions but just enter this world, it’s one you won’t regret visiting.
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Postal Mark

2/22/2018

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Postal Mark
Top Cow Productions 2018
Written by Matt Hawkins
Illustrated by Raffaele Ienco
Lettered by Troy Peteri


     First of all if you haven’t read Postal that’s a shame it’s a great series and worthy of your time so you should be getting the trades. That being said if you haven’t read them read this and you’ll see why I cannot recommend it highly enough and if it does make you want to seek them out my bad. This issue epitomises why I really like this franchise and these characters. The writing here is extremely solid as Matt takes us through a well structured book.

     For a single issue, a one-shot, of regular book length it sure does hold a lot of incredible story as well as intense, and I do mean intense characterisation. My goodness this is the kind of one-shot that should be used before a series comes out to get some hype built up around the characters role in it. I cannot tell you just how impressed I am with the quality of this issue. The way the book flows and how information is presented along with the whole idea behind it is splendid.

     Mark and his Asperger’s has been and essential part of who he is and how we see him and how he’s developed over time has been one of the best aspects of the series. This issue is the culmination of his development and in some ways I’m impressed with the man he’s become and in others I’m terrified of him as well and that’s a credit to Matt’s skill with characterisation and the story development. That I am sitting trying to find the words to adequately describe how this man has managed to impress me with how far he’s come with his writing.

     Raffaele is such an amazing artist and his interiors are so dramatic and that attention to detail he brings is stunning. The first page of the story with the bird was beyond expectation as it just has this entirely hauntingly beautiful and creepy aspect that instantly mesmerises you. The way that page layouts are used so that we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows such a magnificent eye for storytelling. The use of backgrounds and the way it all comes together to expand the story is near perfectly done. God the faces he brings to us are just wow.

     So Mark is going to be a father and he doesn’t know whether that’s good or bad considering who his own parents are. Maggie though she’s been his crush since the moment he first saw her and if there’s anyone who deserves to be happy and bring a new life into this world its these two. Who your parents are isn’t as much a factor as one might think, for instance I don’t know my birth parents and that’s not affected my life but Mark’s different and he’s been treated like his condition was a problem and it’s one he’s overcome to his own satisfaction.

     Handling such a condition isn’t easy but Matt does his research and isn’t afraid to tackle anything and it’s another reason why I am enamoured with his work. This issue was as much a journey of self-discovery for Mark as it was closing the door of his past to allow him a future with his unborn child. Superbly done and expertly handled this has all the emotional impact of getting hit by a train full on. This is one of the most crazy good single issue books that perfectly illustrates why this series needs to be read in full.
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     Bold, daring and innovative this is why you never go wrong with Top Cow!
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Pumpkinhead #01

2/22/2018

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Pumpkinhead #01
Dynamite Entertainment 2018
Written by Cullen Bunn
Illustrated by Blacky Shepherd & Kyle Strahm
Coloured by Thiago Ribeiro
Lettered by Troy Peteri


For each man’s evils, a special demon exists.


     So we now that Cullen is one of today’s most unique and prolific writers out there. He has proven time and time again there isn’t a character or genre he cannot do and with Pumkinhead that is once again front and centre. I like this because in all honesty I think the first film in the series was by far the best and they came out so long ago that there is a new generation ready to be thrilled and chilled by the demon. Cullen starts out with a chilling scene where Granny sends out these young girls to find the demon that calls to them, to control it and use it as th3ey need. It has that right mix of hillbilly belief’s that takes this to that level of creepy which needs to be sustained.

     Over the course of time the girls grow up and become women and find husbands and have children of their own. Which brings us to now and current events in the town of Wrightson Mills. Don’t think I missed the nice homage there either. The Sheriff can’t see past a hit and run that involves a car and a buggy where a couple of were killed. The Kinkades are hillbillies and they believe in their own sense of justice and don’t want nothing to do with Sheriff Andi Ferris or her version of the law. I love that because she’s not one to be shut out, first she’s a black woman and a sheriff so she’s got a chip on her shoulder already and this treatment exasperates that nicely.

     The writing is extremely good as we get to see how the story begins and has progressed to what it is now and how the introduction of the characters strengthen it. With some stellar characterisation right off the bat we’re getting to know these people and how they fit into the story. I mean how the town drunk in his cell gives out a warning yeah it’s the kind of stuff that while adding fuel to the fire is horrifying prophetic and probably why he’s drinking himself to death.

     I have a strange affinity for the interior artwork here. It has the right amount of creative style that brings out the inherent creepy factor to blend with some fine attention to detail. I think the use of linework weights here is superbly done and only heighten the experience for me. The way page layouts are done so we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a superb eye for storytelling. Would I like to see more backgrounds, of course this is my battle cry, Still what we get is great and has all that is needed to to expand the story.

     So the characters that we meet have that mix of Swamp People and the Survivalist types to really make this creepy crazy. Their actions and motivations are clear and the consequences of them are already being felt. I love the skinhead here and his superiority complex attitude which is the cause of the trouble about to be seen. Cullen is able to build up the suspense and make the reader feel the anticipation and almost beg for things to start. It is amazing to feel that want or need to see Pumpkinhead start to wreck havoc and this is why he’s such an acclaimed writer.
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     Cullen, Blacky, Kyle and Thiago all work together to make the franchise feel brand new and the perfect time for a comeback. Who suspects to get this level of horror storytelling just as winter ends and spring begins. With the back up tying into the opening here this really is a complete story being presented and it’s pretty fantastic.
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Lucas Stand Inner Demons #1

2/22/2018

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Lucas Stand Inner Demons #1
Boom! Studios 2018
Written by Kurt Sutter & Caitlin Kittredge
Illustrated by Jesus Hervas
Coloured by Alex Guimaraes
Lettered by Jim Campbell


Military vet Lucas Stand has been forced to hunt demons on the orders of his master Gadrel. Now he has finally managed to break free and strike out on his own. However, his actions have garnered him a formidable reputation and it’s not just the demons who are after him this time… 

     One of the things that I liked about this issue is that we pick up from where Lucas left off and at the same time if you didn’t read the first arc, A. Shame on you and B. go get the trade, the whole thing is actually new reader friendly. There is enough reminiscing about what he’s been through to get to where we see him that not only is it a great refresher but it also tells you what you need to know. They do a great job in that aspect and for those familiar with the series so far well you get what’s happening on a whole different level.

     I love the way this whole thing is structured because with the fact that Lucas is able to weave his way around the timeline finding and killing demons as a sort of bounty hunter and now finds himself beholden to no one well he’s lost. The fact that he’s lost and doesn’t realise it is great to see. The writing here is very impressive as the story and plot development are in complete sync to the characterisation. This allows them to really make a unique kind of impression upon readers and that is part of the reason why your eyes become glued to the page.

     There are a few other things that come to mind that also contribute to how this is such a strong read. Aside from Lucas’ reputation that regardless of what time period he’s in which makes that even more impressive is that he is clueless. He’s the kid in class who never paid attention and kind of just skated by. He doesn’t know how his compass works, doesn’t know how to fix it and doesn’t know why it’s broken. He just didn’t care enough as he’s been wallowing in his own self-pity at how he got himself into all this.

     Last issue ended with him being used by Penemue and Gadrel being disposed of and that left Lucas to his own devices and gave him someone else to focus on. That’s what Lucas needs, he needs that one thing to drive him to do something otherwise he’d do nothing and have no purpose. That’s how I think he sees himself and to have this kind of characterisation to get under his skin, understand him in a way that’s extremely rare is astounding.

     Jesus and Alex do some wonderful work on the interior artwork here. The creativity and imagination is on display throughout the book and the demon/vampire thing we first see yeah that’s what would whole series are created around because they are extremely frightening. The way page layouts are done so that we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a very strong eye for storytelling. The attention to detail is amazing and the colours pop and are vibrant when need to be and muted and dark when it calls for it. Backgrounds are used here in smart ways to expand the moment or time period he’s in and that helps us with the whole scope of what’s going on.
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     This really is a hard hitting, exciting thriller that uses science fiction and the supernatural in ways that are new and interesting. You aren’t going to find a series like this anywhere else it’s a singularity and as such it need no deserves your attention.
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Sonitus #1

2/21/2018

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Sonitus #1 (of 3)
Alterna Comics 2018
Written by Cody Sousa & Dan Sheppard
Illustrated by Cecilia Lo Valvo
Coloured by Dee Cunniffe


     Mysterious voices lure a man back to his hometown to visit an abandoned house that he used to frequent as a child. But as he journeys through his old hangout, he encounters a supernatural presence that forces him to face his past and his darkest fears.

     Sometimes it can be hard to do a book where all we are seeing is one character. You really have to rely heavily on the ability to weave the story and the characterisation in such a way that they seem indistinguishable. To say that Cody and Dan have impressed with this is an understatement because they deliver such a strong performance here that I was captivated from the start and starting wishing all three issues were back to back.

     What I found the most interesting was the way that it started off with Ben approaching the old abandoned house. It comes across as this perfect setting for that “forbidden” house kids aren’t supposed to go near but teenage rebellion and a hideaway from adults keep them going into it. I’ll get into this a bit more later but wow to Cecilia and Dee for the work on because half the time I’d have never guessed this was two folks doing the work. Anyway so the imagery of him going into the house and the narration provided us is beyond expectations.

     There are moments that are needed to catch a potential readers eye and draw them in and make them want to know what’s happening. While the first page was great and built up tension as we had no idea what was going on and then the two page spread that immediately follows hits you like a ton of freakin bricks. Like Harry Caray used to say Holy Cow! That was the moment I knew I was fully in.

     I am enjoying the way that this book is structured and the whole ebb & flow of what we see. There is this real sense of loss and craving that I get from Ben. As he tells us his story through him remembering his life there is so well executed. I like the whole aspect that doctor’s have diagnosed him with Tinnitus when the reality is something far different and more likely supernatural in nature. It is either that or guilt or a combination thereof and regardless it’s what makes this whole concept even better.

     So I was talking the interiors earlier and now I’ll expand on how they impact me as a reader. There is a great psychological horror aspect to the work that Cecilia lays down here. Scratchy and yet still full of moments of detailed clarity that make for some startling contrast. It is extremely eye catching and definitely heightens to the mood of the book. The colouring with it’s attention to lighting is superbly handled. The way page layouts are done so that we see these angles and perspective in the panels shows a strong eye for storytelling. That backgrounds are utilised is spectacular and the creativity and imagination on display are haunting and at times terrifying.

     The story raises a lot more questions about Ben, what he went through in his youth and how that has stayed with him throughout his adult life. It seems that this is perfectly shown through what he experiences now as he revisits this place. Is he experiencing something supernatural or is this how his mind processes what it needs in order to heal him? My magic 8-balls says outlook unclear so iIll have to come back for the last two issues and find out for myself.
​
     With it’s newsprint paper and delicious old school horror that bring back memories of series like The Witching Hour or Ghosts this really is something you DO NOT want to miss!
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