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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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Van Helsing vs. The League of Monsters #2

3/31/2020

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Van Helsing vs The League of Monsters #2
Zenescope Entertainment 2020
Written by Raven Gregory
Illustrated by Deivis Goetten
Coloured by Robby Bevard
Lettered by Taylor Esposito of Ghost Glyph Studios


     As the forces of evil, led by Dracula’s daughter, gather with plans to wreak havoc on all that Helsing holds dear, Liesel must race against time to save her former apprentice, Julie Jekyll, from the darkness growing inside her soul before it’s too late. Featuring a star studded cast of the Grimm Universe heroes, Robyn Locksley, and Hellchild, as well as the greatest villains, from Van Helsing’s past, that she has ever faced before.

      I am loving every single moment of this. There is a large group of characters that inhabit the Zenescope Universe, though seriously there needs to be more powerful male characters, who all know each other and they form a loose knit family. Like any family they fight like sisters but in the end come together when they need to and I like how that feels here through how Raven is writing this story. I like the way that regardless of which of the books it is we see that it ties into all of them and it just keeps you feeling like your investment in the characters is not just long-term but is cared about and appreciated.

     I do like the way that this is being told. The story & plot development we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented extremely well. The way we see the recruitment of characters or the setting up of others is done in a way that showcases Raven's skill, ability and talent to weave the story in a way that is suspenseful and interesting. The character development we see here is great and I love seeing how the characters are always moving forward and how the circumstances and situations they encounter alter them in some way shape or form. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way works with everything else to create the books ebb & flow while highlighting it's structure.

     I really do like that we are seeing this being done in such a smart and intelligent manner. Nothing is here that doesn't belong in that precise moment to not only help the story move forward but highlight the characters and how we see them as we think they should.

     I really am enjoying how we are seeing the work on the interiors done here. The linework is beautifully rendered and how we see the varying weights being utilised to showcase the attention to detail is fantastic. I love the way we see the composition in the panels and whether it is blanked like the opening which gives it this atmosphere or how backgrounds are utilised to create the drama, depth perception, scale and the overall sense of size and scope for the story Is great. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a strong eye for storytelling. The colour work is beautifully rendered as well. I love seeing how the multitude of hues and tones within the colours are utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is beautiful. Also there are some great bright neon style colours that pop in the right places and at the right times to really keep the eye wandering through.
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     While I love the constant upheaval that is Liesel's life is good reading I do really want to see her come out of this relatively unscathed if you will. She deserves some happiness and a solid win, for now, to be coming her way. Regardless of what I want to see I know that Raven is going to bring us a hell of a story and I can't wait to see the next chapter.

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Queen of the Black Coast #2

3/31/2020

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Queen of the Black Coast #2
Ablaze Publishing 2020
Written by Jean-David Morvan
Illustrated by Pierre Alary
Coloured by Sedyas
Lettered by Dezi Sienty


     Robert E. Howard’s Conan first appeared in the pages of pulp magazines in the 1930s. He contributed 17 Conan stories to Weird Tales Magazine from 1932 to 1936. Through these stories we see Robert E. Howard’s savage hero take shape. In Queen of the Black Coast, Conan is pursued for killing a judge, and finds refuge on a merchant ship...but soon after setting sail, the Cimmerian and his new companions face a threat: the legendary Bêlit, self-proclaimed Queen of the black coast! First published in the May 1934 Weird Tales, this Conan classic is a marvelous entry point In this issue, Conan joins up with Belit to brutally pillage and sail the poisonous river Zarkheba, encountering ancient ruins, lost treasure, and vicious, winged monstrosities.

     The first issue took me a few to warm up to and by the end I was won over in every single possibly way. So when I saw that this issue was coming out I got excited. I love being excited when I see that a book is coming out, for someone who does what I do and the sheer volume of what I read the fact that I still get genuinely excited about a book is thrilling! Ablaze in general is that new company whose work excites me when I see it announced on the weekly release list. Now that we no longer worry about the Comics Code Authority we do get to see a much closer translation of the work both in wording and visuals which as a much stronger impact upon the reader.

     I am a huge fan of the way that this is being told. The story & plot development we see as based upon the short story is amazingly well adapted and how we see the sequence of events unfold and how the reader learns information is presented beautifully. I enjoy seeing how the woman he loves shows her true character throughout the issue as well. The character development we see is phenomenal and it's shown in just the right ways at just the right times so as to peel back layers and it's really a highlight for me. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way it works with everything else to create this dramatic ebb & flow to the book.

     I haven't always rather enjoyed Conan, he's been a staple for so long but it wasn't until recently that I really got to be liking him and his adventures more. I suppose we have become so accustomed to them through Marvel and Dark Horse that we forget who he was in the beginning. This should reinvigorate the love and passion folks have for Conan and even spur some new love of the franchise.

     I have said before it took me a few to warm up to the style of artwork that we see on the interiors here. At least it was for the people because when we see the scenery, that is utterly breathtaking to behold. The linework is fantastic, the utilisation of the page layouts and how we the way negative space is utilised it sings to the reader and helps us to understand the reaction the characters have. How we see this and the angles and perspective in the panels show this marvellous eye for storytelling. I am also a fan of how we see the backgrounds being utilised here as well and how the work within the composition in the panels to bring us depth perception, oh and the scale!, plus the overall sense of size and scope of the book. The colour work is beautifully rendered. How we see the various hues and tones within the colours utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is very nice to see. I especially like how we see the rock and the carvings in them.
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     Oh I think the fact that this is a short story and it's told as such is utterly bloody brilliant. No dragging it out for the sake of a trade. When it's told it's told and we move onward towards the next one. I cannot rave about Ablaze enough not just for bringing European creators' to the forefront but for have the chutzpah to do it against what is perceived as the grain. This is some phenomenal storytelling all around.

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Godkillers #2

3/30/2020

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Godkillers #2
Aftershock Comics 2020
Created & Written by Mark Sable
Illustrated by Maan House
Coloured by Hernan Cabrera
Lettered by Thomas Mauer


     The Godkillers are an elite special forces unit created to fight insurgents who are using mythological creatures. As they battle a Penanggalan in the Philippines that may be in league with ISIS, the Godkiller's first Arab-American officer is forced to grapple with both his inner and outer demons.

     This is bloody brilliantly mindbogglingly spectacular! Mark's mind is the brain's version of Warehouse 13 in all it's glory. Seriously that's what I think when I read this and if you haven't gotten on board yet well with the halt on new books hitting stands for a while this is the perfect opportunity to find out why I am raving about this series at issue two! This is so far from the ordinary and perfectly outside the box so that no matter what genre you gravitate towards you are going to find yourself intrigued and engaged in this story. It isn't just that either Mark is skilled writer and the way that he is able to structure this book and bring out the subtlety of these different personalities who are new to working with one another is utterly delightful.

     The way this is being told really is brilliantly done. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold and how the reader learns information is presented perfectly. There is this way that Mark is telling this that has that mix of technical and layman so that it is relatively easy to understand everything that is happening. Believing it, well... that's another story. The character development we see here is phenomenally well done. The mix of personalities shines through and we get who they are at their core and then we start to wonder about their adaptability. So while we are learning about them we're also engaged to think about them further than what's presented. The pacing here is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way works with everything else to create the books ebb & flow.

     I found myself riveted to this book. The first issue was strong and interesting but here we get to see things taken further. The character interactions are more intense and the realisation of what is going on around them should frighten everyone let alone the soldiers themselves. While I think we've seen versions prior but they've never been seen with this kind of angle to them or have been done with this level of intensity and aplomb.

     Oh Maan sigh I believe you are the only who can bring this level of oomph to the interiors that will allow me to overlook when backgrounds aren't utilised. There is something truly magnificent about the mood, tone and feel that this work brings to the reader. It feels dark and dangerous and automatically gives that adrenaline rush that comes with the tension it gives the reader. There is a creativity and imagination on display here as well that really taps into something dark and primal. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a marvellous eye for storytelling. I am a fan of the colour work we see as well. That it's so dark and all of the hues and tones are darkened yet still readable as that colour is extremely well rendered and shows immense talent. The pops of bright colour stand out like a beacon in the night and it's beautifully done.
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     There is so much here to learn about and see. This doesn't cover what most of the western world understands about gods, demons and the mythological creatures that permeate other societies. We see such a marvellous introduction to worlds we don't know about and how the layers of story and the potential we see is exciting. This is some stellar work all around it isn't surprising it's from Aftershock, the home for outstanding and creative storytelling.

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The Führer and the Tramp #1

3/30/2020

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The Führer and the Tramp #1
Source Point Press/Comics Experience 2019
Written, Coloured & Lettered by Sean McArdle
Written by Jon Judy
Illustrated by Dexter Wee


     The critically acclaimed, Eisner-nominated comic comes to print for the first time! Charlie Chaplin - comic, filmmaker, and raconteur - didn't become the world's biggest star by courting controversy, but when he comes face-to-face with the horrors of Hitler, he feels compelled to get off the sidelines and get involved. And then Charlie is approached by FDR himself with a special assignment. His mission, if he chooses to accept it: create a propaganda film to drum up public support for joining the war in Europe!

     I really like the idea behind this. There is always something inherently interesting when you take something that happened and use that to create something else through pure imagination and chutzpah. Sometimes when something is removed as is WWII, by time of course, and from those who experienced first hand it can be easy to forget the hatred of a people such as the Jews. Sure we're seeing a resurgence thanks the current White House in America but as they say history is bound to repeat itself. So with a bit of levity, action and intrigue Sean manages to bring us the beginning of a tale that will be so much to many different people all of whom will get their own unique experience from it while sharing a much needed fun, silly and dramatic entertainment.

     I am a huge fan of the way that this is being told. The story & plot development we see through how the sequence of events unfold and how the reader learns information is presented beautifully. The opening is spectacular and it is a snapshot of what we're going to see here, at least I am hoping that this is what we're going to see. It has that feel to it that I get from watching his films. Right away we see what the vibe of this is going to be and it is glorious. The character development is spectacular and the way that we get a sense of who they are off screen is more than I could have hoped for. The pacing is superb and the way it takes us through pages revealing the twists and turns along the way and works with everything else to create this fantastic ebb & flow.

     I like the interiors here. The linework is phenomenal and how we see the varying weights being utilised to showcase the attention to detail is really something wondrous. The way that the characters are brought to life and how much they actually look like their real life counterparts but in a comic book style is extraordinary to see. I think this needs more backgrounds and more so when there isn't a visual aid for a gag or whatnot but to see the other viewers in the theatre would've been nice to add more atmosphere for what we see happening. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show this marvellous eye for storytelling. I am loving how we see the faces and facial expressions and how like in a his silent films they tell a story on their own. The colour work is really nice as well. I love the flesh tones that we see and how they can create musculature is sensational. The various hues and tones we see from within the colours to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is rendered beautifully. Though I am super sad that we didn't see his tallywacker because that would've been amazing.
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     There are some spectacular moments in this issue alone and if this what the rest of the series will continue this trend then we are in for one hell of a ride. This is the kind of storytelling that is first seen at a table at a convention and then word spreads, it wins awards and gets picked up for mainstream distribution and ya know what it deserves all the accolades. This is so incredibly well written with layers of story and unsaid potential as well as some superbly rendered visuals that further the experience and storytelling on it's own. You've got the time now so this HAS to find it's way into your reading.

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Transformers The Terminator #1

3/29/2020

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Transformers The Terminator #1
IDW Publishing/Dark Horse Comics 2020
Written by David Mariotte & John Barber
Illustrated by Alex Milne
Coloured by David Garcia Lopez
Lettered & Designed by Jake M. Wood


     It’s Skynet vs. Cybertron in a crossover for the ages! 1984: When a deadly race of machines emerge from another time, will a robotic guardian be able to protect the Earth from a dire future... or will the T-800 fail in his mission to prevent the world from becoming a plaything to the Decepticons?

     To be honest I wasn't going to read this, however, it is a first issue and I have it in front of me so here we are. I found myself really enjoying this immensely as the future where our T-800 is from is where we start and it goes back to this huge reveal with I thought was extremely well done. There is something about the way this is being done as if it were the original instead of the Terminator film and I think that it is something which is a pretty genius move from a writing standpoint. I know it got me hooked into the story pretty darn quick. Though why do we never see the tallywacker when it goes back in time?

     I am extremely impressed with the way that this is being told. The story & plot development we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented beautifully. The splice in the story to add the Transformers element is genius and I love how we see this and the ramifications this causes throughout the book. The character development that we see is spectacular. So we see one at her work place and she's the highlight to the dry straightforward Terminator. They play off each other beautifully and I have to say it was a highlight of the issue for me. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way it works in concert with everything else to create this strong and interesting ebb & flow.

     While I am not really one who knows a heck of a lot about either franchise which did play a factor in how late I started with this issue. Kicking myself for that but later is better than never right and I am so glad I noticed I had it but hadn't got to it yet. Because this is pretty amazing to me and you don't have to know either franchise all that well to really get into this and be drawn into. It engages the reader and pulls you right from the first page and that's where the hook is and it's damn good one.

     The interiors here are really dynamic. Alex is bringing some kind of Kubert inspired stuff, I see a Sgt. Rock style influence honestly, and fuses that with his own unique style and I'll be buttered up like a biscuit if it isn't sensational. The linework is exquisite and how the varying weights are utilised to shine a spotlight on the attention to detail is mindbogglingly good. How we see backgrounds being utilised and how they work within the composition in the panels to bring us the depth perception, scale and overall sense of size and scope to the book is rendered so bloody brilliantly. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show this spectacular eye for storytelling. The colour work is phenomenal. How we see the colour choices and the hues and tones within them creating the shading, highlights and shadow work is really spectacularly well done.

     This is a sensational first issue and it really does engage the readers' imagination in ways that may just surprise you. This has some strong and intelligent writing and some extremely beautiful interiors and it just strengthens what I eel about company crossovers and the level of work they bring out.

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Conspiracy: Alien Abductions #2

3/29/2020

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Conspiracy: Alien Abductions #2
Zenescope Entertainment 2020
Written by Hans Rodionoff & Adam F. Goldberg
Illustrated by Allan Otero
Coloured by Leonardo Paciarotti
Lettered by Carlos M. Mangual


   For all of history, humans have been looking to the stars for answers, but what if the stars have been looking back? Do you believe reports of everyday people being abducted and experimented on by otherworldly lifeforms? Are the bright lights seen in the night sky the cause of a natural phenomenon, maybe they can be explained away by our technological advancements, or are they something much more terrifying?

     I really found myself enjoying this. It is the right kind of crazy and not so much an exaggeration of what we think of from people's real life encounters. So far as we can call their recollections real life encounters. Although I do like the opening for a myriad of other reasons and that he's saying goodnight to his children and well right before the main event was well I guess you'd say that his credibility might be a little shot. I do have to say that what the guys have thought of here as they explore this story in these pages has been phenomenal to see play out. There are some chilling and goosebumps inducing moments throughout the issue and it really is so gosh darn good.

     I keep saying Zenescope grew up and they've turned into this amazing house for killer stories. This is a great example of that and the way we see the story & plot development we see through the sequence of events unfold and how the reader learns information is presented beautifully. I really like how the one thing leads into another, and so on and so forth, and keeps us on the edge wondering what on earth could happen to this guy next. The character development we see is pretty darn great as well. I like how we see the personality before, during and after all of what is experienced it is an interesting journey to see him take. The pacing is wonderful and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way it works with everything to help create the books ebb & flow.

     This is a definitely one of those in your face subtle thriller type of books that demonstrates if you have the right creative team behind it even a UFO abduction can be scary good. I was wondering how they were going to top the first arc but this I gotta say this is precisely what it needs to be to warrant this franchise continuing.

     The interiors here are really quite good. Allan is a great illustrator and how he's able to utilise the varying weights in the linework to create this amazing attention to detail is utterly marvellous. Also he and Leonardo, who make such an excellent team, handle the more nature nature really well. The attention to detail here really is quite spectacular and how the backgrounds are shown and how they are utilised within the composition in the panels bring us depth perception, scale and that overall sense of size and scope to the book. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a strong and talented eye for storytelling. The colour work is marvellous as well and the way that we see some of the effects that go to a place like that oil stain in water that we see after a rain on the ground, yes it has that kind of effect. Leonardo has such mastery and understanding of how colour works and how the various hues and tones within the colour and how they work is sublime. The shading, highlights and shadow work is gorgeously rendered and to the see the eyes iris this way is truly remarkable. I am sad we didn't see his tallywacker while he was on the table but maybe another time.
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     With no new books shipping for the next few weeks this is the perfect opportunity to read some of these stellar offerings from Zenescope. Break out of your cocoon and really explore what they have to offer and I guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised!

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Amethyst #2

3/28/2020

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Amethyst #2
DC Comics 2020
By Amy Reeder
Lettered by Gabriela Downie


     Dejected but determined to find her missing kingdom, Princess Amethyst and her new companions-a four-armed Turqoisian peasant called Phoss and his gigantic caterpillar steed-set out for the land of Sapphire, where it is always night. Where there is darkness there is also danger, but a newly discovered magical ability might light the princess’s path.

     For the most part what Amy is doing here is utterly fabulous! I don't agree with her retaining her magic on Earth and I liked that she didn't because it added another layer to her that we got to see. The rest feels like Amy took her notes from the original run and I like this. She's a child who discovered her true heritage and has a lot dumped on her shoulders at once. She is at an age where she knows she is ill equipped for this role but is going to do her darnedest anyway. I find myself drawn to the hope and positivity that this series provides so much.

     Amy has more than shown her chops over the years and to see her here is like this crazy nexus where all her previous work has led her to. The writing is amazing to me and how we see the story & plot development through how the sequence of events unfolds as well as how the reader learns information is exceptionally well rendered. For me the opening is what reinforces the dichotomy between Gemworld and Earth and that is as much fun as it is educational to understanding the differences the worlds offer. The character development is sensational! She really is this brash, bold and daring young woman but to the other houses of Gemworld she's still a child, untested and has yet to learn her place in the grand scheme of things. So to see what she goes through and how she goes through it keeps shaping who she is beautifully. The pacing is great and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way it works with everything to help create the books overall ebb & flow.

     To me this seems like a very respectful updating of the original and to see it be so modern and yet feel so classic at the same time is what should give this book it's staying power. It will be remembered it will have that impact upon the reader saying it's okay to try and make mistakes. Stand up again, wipe off the dust and keep going at it after you fall down. It is the little life lessons that we all need to hear regardless of where we are in life.

     The interiors here are really outstanding as well. The linework we see is really nicely rendered and how the varying weights are being utilised to bring out the attention to detail is pretty darn dynamic. The faces and the facial expressions we see with the lines is really eye catching and brings so much emotion out of the characters. The way that we see backgrounds is nice to see and how they work within the composition of the panels to bring us depth perception, scale and this sense of size and scope to the book is really rather well executed. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such a marvellous eye for storytelling. I like the way we see the colour work here as well. There are some gorgeous and unusual colour combinations and that lends itself perfectly to this world and Amy very smartly and quietly is doing some stunning work. The way that the various hues and tones within the colouring create the shading, highlights and shadow work is lovely.
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     This is so much fun to read. There isn't anything quite like Amy Winston/Amethyst and while she never got the love and affection she deserved before and after the Crisis it is nice to see how Amy is bringing her back from relative obscurity and delivering some incredible top notch storytelling.

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Inked: Art Animates Life #1

3/27/2020

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Inked: Art Animates Life #1
Fan The Flame 2018
Written by Jason M. Burns
Illustrated by Fernando Peniche
Coloured by Dustin Evans
Lettered by Nick Deschenes


     There's an interesting story as to how I came by this book. At C2E2 this year one of the pro's had someone offer it to him, he in turn told him about me and said he'd get em to me. I love that folks think of me so nicely to do that. So here we are with a book from Neymar Jr. the soccer player in which he stars as Junior a young man who comes home to find the old neighbourhood in really bad shape.

     I have to say that I was really impressed with this book. The way it's told, the premise that we see with Junior and how this whole thing kicks off is really extremely well done. Part of me wondered what kind of comics would come from a footballer, even of the best there is. It came like a little ego to me but this erases all trace of doubt in mind that it's something other than a damn good story with some amazing interior artwork. This grabbed my attention straight away and kept it through the last page. It has been a long time since a complete unknown quantity like this has come into my life that has the potential to become a bona fide industry hit.

     I like the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented beautifully. There is a very specific way that the events lead into one another and it has a nice fluidity to them. Time passes and it's believable to have things go the way they do so it doesn't arbitrary. The character development is fabulous to see. While the focus is naturally on Junior we also get a nice sense of who Mariana is and then of course my favourite, Janitor and Tattoo Artist, soothsayer too if you read this and wanna add that in, Tacitus. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way as it works with everything else to create the books overall ebb & flow.

     I am pretty darn impressed with the interiors that we see throughout as well. I will say thing however, Backgrounds, Backgrounds, Backgrounds. They are so important to the story, to how we see things happen, to help us feel what the characters do. It didn't feel like Junior was in a hospital, it didn't feel like enclosed space and neither did a lot of heading into that studio. When we do see them they are beautifully integrated into the story and I want to see more of that. The linework is superb and how the varying weights are being utilised to bring us this attention to detail is marvellous, I mean just looking at the faces shows you such talent. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show this strong and talented eye for storytelling. The colour work is gorgeous! There is some really nice utilisation of the hues and tones within colours to create the shading, highlights and shadow work. The neon pops like there's no tomorrow, also that Dobermann is beautifully rendered.

     This has me excited. I want to see what comes next, I want to read the entire run in order to see how this keeps playing out. There is something completely and utterly fresh and new about this that captures the readers' mind, attention and imagination. This is pretty darn unique and if you catch a moment or two that makes you think, then add the engagement factor in as well. This is really nicely done and I want more.

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Super Duck #1

3/27/2020

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Super Duck #1
Archie Comics 2020
Written by Frank Tieri & Ian Flynn
Illustrated by Ryan Jampole
Coloured by Matt Herms
Lettered by Jack Morelli


     BRAND NEW SERIES!
     Super Duck is the greatest hero of Ducktropolis. Brash, arrogant and virtually unbeatable, he’s defeated all threats to the city and routinely foils the schemes of his greatest rival, criminal genius and corporate billionaire Dapper Duck. But now, three years later, Super Duck has fallen on hard times. Down on his luck and with his superheroing days a distant memory, he is reduced to appearing at comic conventions for measly appearance fees. So when he’s approached by a rival of Dapper to be his personal bodyguard/accompany him on his many adventures, Super Duck has to decide if he’s ready to don his cape once more in this series for mature readers!

     My first thought for this was it was going to be along the lines of Darkwing Duck or something similar. Oh boy was I happy to see I was on the wrong track completely. Sure there is totally some adult humour that they share in common but really that's where the similarities end. This opens up with some insane dialogue during a fight scene and it nearly had me rolling on the floor with laughter. Also the way that this opening has been utilised is far and away one of the best openings in comics in a very long time. The sheer amount of humour, action & adventure and all around chutzpah that we see in these pages remind us why humour comics are so essential to our well being. Also on a personal note it makes me miss Captain Carrot and company.

     The way that this is being told really is utterly brilliant. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is beautifully presented. The way we see events occur here give us a spectacular look at the characters and they world they live in. the character development that we see is phenomenal! I love how we get to see Super Duck and Dapper Duck act and behave throughout so that we get this really nice sense of who they are. The situations and circumstances we see are done so incredibly thoughtfully. The pacing is superb and the way it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way work with everything to create the books overall ebb & flow. The way this book is structured and how smartly this has been crafted has made my day.

     The interiors here are a work of art. From the trip down through the trip up ever single thing that we see makes me feel joyful and like I want to squeal with glee. The linework is mindbogglingly good and with the varying weights being utilised to show off this crazy amount of attention to detail that we see show such control and a hand that strong and sure. The way that we see backgrounds being utilised and how they work within the composition of the panels show us depth perception, scale and that overall sense of size and scope to the story. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles we in the panels show a stupendous eye for storytelling. Matt's colour work here is stunning as well. The way he is able to utilise the various hues and tones within the colours to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is sublime. Also that he understands how colour works and how to utilise colours that you may not always associate being a part of each other.
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     The ending here is where things get really that much more interesting. It has so many different avenues for these folks to travel and take us along this crazy journey. This is what you never knew you needed in your life and it's high time you found out why!

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Hellions #01

3/26/2020

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Picture
Hellions #01
Marvel Comics 2020
Written by Zeb Wells
Illustrated by Stephen Segovia
Coloured by David Curiel
Lettered by VC's Cory Petit


     BAD IS THE NEW GOOD!
     When Krakoa opened their doors to all mutants and forgave all past crimes, they might have known they’d have to accept some of their worst foes into the fold… but they didn’t plan for what to do with them. Not to worry—Mister Sinister knows what to do with the troublemakers. Meet his new Hellions: Scalphunter, Wild Child, Empath, Nanny, Orphanmaker, Psylocke…and Havok?! Under Sinister’s direction, they are sure to become productive members of mutant society.

     As someone who isn't up on the mutant knowledge I have to say that the real reason that I decided to read this book was Empath. Manuel de la Rocha has always been a very arrogant kid and liked to play fast and loose with his powers and though he and Amara had a thing for a while but there has always been something about him that I wanted to see more of. So that we get a little dossier on him here and we see what they think about him. While I always believed that he should've gone to the New Mutants when the Hellions died and I still think that. Though with the rest of the team back from the dead it would be nice if this were there book but I am good with how this is.

     I love Zeb and his storytelling ability, the way that he sees how the characters have possibilities with each other interacting and presenting us with these unknown factors. Though honestly there are times in this where I was fighting with myself about how these folks act in their little council. I do not like this aspect and I do not like them assigning themselves the role of gods. Skipping over that because it really shows what's wrong these folks nowadays. Please, please tell me Alex is possessed by Malice!! It is the only thing that I can think of right now that makes sense for this behaviour and considering how he's been such a good, stalwart leader and stand-up kind of guy. How we see the vignettes for all the characters here actually we get a darn good look why each of them is where they are.

     The story & plot development we see with how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is perfectly presented. The character development is absolutely amazing and as they are being fleshed out the reasoning becomes clearer. The pacing is fantastic and as it takes through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way helps to create this really nice ebb & flow to the book.

     The interiors here are absolutely incredible. The linework is phenomenal and how we see the varying weights being utilised to showcase this level of attention to detail is superb. Now granted I wish we would see backgrounds being utilised more. When we do see them really bring us this beautiful depth perception, scale and that sense of size and scope to the book. Also we need to see and feel the enclosed spaces and Wild Child's attack didn't feel as dangerous without that confined feeling. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a strong eye for storytelling. The colour work we see is really nicely rendered. How we see the hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work creates some beautiful moments. Though when did Empath go full on blonde?
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     There are some really interesting things happening here. The least of which is the ending and while I am not sure who exactly the other six are I can't wait to find out. I am excited for this just as I was for the New Mutants book, which hasn't disappointed in the slightest. With a truly unique cast of characters and with Kwannon added to the mix as she tries to find her own place in all this now that she and Betsy are free of one another well the layers of this don't seem to want to end. Forget everything you thought you knew and look out because this is as delightfully unexpected as a Zumbo creation.

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