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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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Post Americana #4

3/29/2021

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Post Americana #4
Image Comics 2020
Written & Illustrated by Steve Skroce
Coloured by Dave Stewart
Lettered by Fonografiks

    Carolyn 's reunion with her long thought dead mother is cut short when they're captured by AMERICAN FORCES, and a hero called the NIGHT TERROR, a fiction from the the gone world, appears, but is he friend or foe?

    There is something about this book, call it the “IT” factor if you will, that when you open it up and you see that first page it stirs something inside you.  When you see that page and the entire story comes flooding back and you don’t have to look at past issues because everything becomes crystal clear in that moment.  This is kind of rare nowadays to be able to do that so when it does happen you have take notice and if you haven’t picked this up yet well then you really should because this is going to be something that will be talked about for many many years to come.  This is actually quite relevant to today’s world and what the United States has been going through over the recent past few years.  

    I am enjoying 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 in a way that keeps it all constantly moving forward.  I also like that we see the events happen rather quickly one after the other creating this absolutely amazing read.  The character development continues to be impressive and this issue when Carolyn gets to talk to her mother she becomes so much more complex and it’s great.  The pacing that we see is fantastic and as it takes us through the pages revealing more and more of the story, new characters and the twists & turns along the way you can be assured you are in for a bumpy ride so buckle up buttercup!

    How we see this being structured is fabulous and with the layers within the story continuing to grow stronger and new ones emerge it helps to create this magnetic field of intrigue and interest whose pull is hard to resist.  How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow is rather marvellously rendered.  Everything flows so well that it almost feels like this is perfectly done for the maximum impact for the reader to have.

    The interiors here are fantastic!  The linework is phenomenal and how we see the varying weights and techniques being utilised to bring out the detail work that we see is mind blowing.  For me the backgrounds are incredible but we don’t see enough of them as they really enhance the moments and bring us this nice depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story.  How we see a few characters and Nathaniel’s mother in particular will leave you stunned into silence.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a remarkably talented eye for storytelling.  The colour work that we see phenomenal!  How we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work shows a stellar eye for how colour works.  How we see the way colour can contour and shape musculature is achieved incredibly well.
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    There is just that crazy something about this that can be related to by just about anyone.  It may be a post-apocalyptic story but it’s is so highly relevant to what we’ve experienced and what we still could experience that is eerily foreboding.  Still this is one of those books that remain with you long after you finish reading it.  

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Taarna The Last Taarakian #4

3/29/2021

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Taarna: The Last Taarakian #4
Heavy Metal Comics 2020
Written by Stephanie Phillips
Illustrated by Christian Rosado
Coloured by Jessica Kholinne
Lettered by Marshall Dillon

    Taarna's battles against the servants of Kako, the embodiment of multiversal chaos, are pushing her to the breaking point as she fights to protect her new ally, the mysterious girl named Shaan. This is the story of a millennia-old battle between godlike beings, with all sentient life caught in their path.

    First of all can we talk about this amazing cover by Christian, this blew me the hell away with it’s simple beauty and eleganza!  The image is incredibly striking and one of those stop you in your tracks kind of moment.  I have no idea what it is about Taarna that has me so completely and utterly fascinated, I mean I’m a homosexual male who loves strong and apparently half-naked women and you’d think that wouldn’t make sense but for me it sure does.  She is a badass pure and simple and she fights for those who have trouble defending themselves, with immense power and all that jazz after all.  Plus she isn’t afraid to be as violent as she needs and or wants to be making her an unapologetic warrior.
    I like the way that this is being told.  How we see the story & plot development constantly moving forward thanks to how we see the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is extremely well presented.  The character development is phenomenal and to see this servant of Kako taking down this gigantic snapping turtle well it makes you want to stop him from breathing ever again.  Everyone we’ve seen and met has a very distinct personality to them that is fleshed out in some wonderful ways and whether you like them or not is precisely the way it should be.  The pacing is superb as it takes us through the pages revealing more of the story amid the twists & turns.

    The way that we see this being structured and how the layers within the story continue to grow and thrive makes for some fascinating reading.  Also being engaged in the story while seeing this zealot and using Kako’s name to do his own bidding for power and conquest well this showcases why zealots are so damn dangerous.  I am enjoying seeing how well everything works together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well.

    The interiors here are bloody gorgeous!  The creativity and imagination is phenomenal to see and in the creatures, see snapping turtle and the snake, the landscape and Iridia’s Fortress all of these contribute to creating this familiar yet foreign world.  The linework that we see is exquisite and with the varying weights and techniques being utilised we see this amazingly high level and quality to the detail work.  I like the trick of the eye where there could be backgrounds but aren’t because we still get this great depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective show a remarkably talented eye for storytelling.  The colour work that we see here is extremely nice to see.  How the various hues and tones within the colours are being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work show a great understanding of how colour works.  
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    Honestly I think Taarna is everything that Red Sonja should have been.  She is a woman of infinite possibilities who does whatever she feels she has to to get the job done.  Relentless, unforgiving and full of her own charm, whit, verve and uniqueness that makes us all fall in love with her time and time again.

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Dungeons & Dragons At The Spine Of The World #4

3/29/2021

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Dungeons & Dragons: At The Spine Of The World #4
IDW Publishing 2020
Written by Aimee Garcia & AJ Mendez
Illustrated by Martin Coccolo
Coloured by Katrina Mae Hao
Lettered by Neil Uyetake

    To rescue one of their own, Runa, Saarvin, and Patience must brave the mines! Out of the snow, can they survive the onslaught of enemies who await them? 

    As this arc comes to a close it’s nice to see that a new team has taken up residence in the Dungeons & Dragons world.  More so since this one is extremely eclectic in its makeup of characters and races.  Don’t get me wrong Minsc and Boo will forever hold a place in my heart and I do want to see more of their adventures but this rag tag team has won me over as well.  They were strangers who’ve come together and now are a team, a family of adventurers and it is straight out of the beginning of a tabletop campaign.  I think that’s it’s biggest appeal is that it feels both organic in how they’ve come together let alone that they have powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.  We have gotten to know them alongside each other and it’s this kind of discovery that sets the Dungeons & Dragons stories apart.

    I like 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 constantly moves everything forward.  The character development is phenomenal and as we see them act and react to the situations and circumstances they encounter they become more and more fleshed out as individuals.  Belvyre is one of my favourites and mainly because he is just a lad but he has that innocence and belief in people that stops others in their tracks and listen to what he has to say and I want to see him grow into a fine leader.  The pacing is great and as it takes us through the pages revealing how the story comes to its closure there are still a few twists & turns left to surprise you.

    How we see this being structured with the layers within the story still growing and weaving into the possibility of a new arc it leaves behind a really good impression.  How everything works together to create the story’s ebb & flow is remarkably well achieved.

    I am a huge fan of the interiors here.  The linework is clean, tight and how the varying weights and techniques are being utilised to bring out this level and quality of detail in the work is astounding.  Let’s face it with different races who have different qualities and to see those carried out throughout the run has been amazing and from scales to hair to weaponry or magic everything we have seen has been a work of pure imaginative genius.  The utilisation of backgrounds could be better but it is what it is and we get some really great depth perception, sense of scale and the 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 remarkably talented eye for storytelling.  The colour work is spectacular!  How we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is beautifully rendered.  There are some true stand out moments, the reds, the grays and the vines we see all of which ignite something within the reader.
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    These are what superhero team books aspire to be like.  Strangers turn into friends and this leads to becoming a family willing to die for one another this is what heroism is to me anyway.  These adventures thrill, entertain and showcase the promise of a world full of infinite possibilities all waiting to explored.

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Deep Blue #3

3/28/2021

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Deep Blue #3
Mythos Comics 2020
Created by Bragi Schut & Lewis Fenton
Written by Chato Hill
Illustrated by John “Roc” Upchurch

    Rats In The Maze
   As Dobbs and Anna make their way through Mech City they begin to question whether they are any closer to freedom, or whether they are merely unwitting test subjects... rats in a maze...

    This is one of those science fiction stories that has a heavy Twilight Zone slant to how we see it which coincidentally is why I like this as much as I do.  There is actually a lot going on this issue that starts to make the entire story make more sense.  I’m still not entirely sure how the world actually got to this place but it certainly has all the earmarks of A.I. Robots rising up and taking control of the planet and reducing the human population to more easily controllable numbers.  Free association with what I see here means that I really am engaged and invested in the story.  That’s the great thing about comics though is its ability to pull you and leave you with an experience that may or may not be shared in the exact same way as others perceive.  

    I am enjoying 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 very nicely.  The character development keeps getting stronger and stronger with the way they face each new obstacle, situation and circumstance that is placed in their way.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists & turns along the way we’re given a look into this more complex storytelling that you originally suspect the book contains.  With the way we see this being structured and how the layers within the story continue to grow, change and evolve it manages to keep you at the edge of your seat wondering what could possibly come next.  I am also enjoying how we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow.

    Overall this is a very interesting tale that has layers to it that belies its premise or concept and it takes us on a thinking mans journey through the pages as we wonder what is real and what isn’t.  It is almost as if Dobbs meeting Anna is a ploy of some kind to see just how much further he is willing to go when it isn’t simply his own life at stake.

    The interiors here are pretty complex as well.  The whole idea of a maze as we see it play out over the first few pages also become more complex as the pages turn.  Again there’s something about seeing this from different perspectives that just expands the way the reader sees the story as well.  The linework that we see with its varying weights being utilised to  create the detail work is really well done.  With the backgrounds being integral to parts of the story and how they are incorporated into the composition within the panels bring us this marvellous depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a remarkably solid eye for storytelling.  The colour work is beautifully rendered as well.  How we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work shows a wonderful understanding of how colour works.  Also to see the shadows cast by light sources, such as the pipes or catwalk they traverse upon, is exceptionally done.
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    Everything is what it appears to be and yet nothing is what it seems.  It is this kind of contradiction that exemplifies what reading this story is like.  It is also why reading this is as much fun as it is and why it’s one we cannot put down once it’s started.

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Gung-Ho: Sexy Beast #3

3/28/2021

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Gung-Ho: Sexy Beast #3
Ablaze Publishing 2021
Written by Benjamin Von Eckartsberg
Illustrated by Thomas Von Kummant
Translated  by Ianka Hahnenberger

    Archer is exiled from Fort Apache. In front of all the inhabitants, Kingsten withdraws his right to seek refuge in any colony whatsoever. He is tattooed with a cross on his forehead, a mark that makes him an outlaw…and virtually guarantees his death by the reapers, having to live outside the walls of any safe haven.

    Just the face that Benjamin can make me feel such intense emotions and feelings towards the characters in this book just goes to show the skill ad talent that he has.  I keep if that were me….  So that I do this means i’ve connected with the story and that i’ve become invested in the lives of it’s characters.  I love being swept up in their lives and how this feels like it’s some late teen early twenties soap opera in a unique setting.  Also now that we’ve seen these Rippers they are a lot more prevalent in subsequent issues and I have to say that I like this.  The more we see them the larger of a threat they make looming ahead of Fort Apache.  The tension that this builds is palpable and it’s only a matter of time before these conniving adults finally get what is coming to them.

    I am very much enjoying the way that this is being told.  How the story & plot development constantly moves forward through how the sequence of events unfold alongside how the reader learns information is exceptionally well rendered.  The character development that we see is absolutely phenomenal!  The adults and their agendas really do make them out to be such incredible villains and that the kids all fall in line instead of rise up it all makes me wonder about what’s really going on here.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing more of the current story it’s really difficult not to feel for Zack.

    The way that this is structured and how the layers within the story continue to weave through what we see is really rather quite good.  The interest and intrigue that this brings to the book is amazing and you can just see Zack’s wheel’s turning at one point.  That we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow is fabulous.

    The interiors here feel a little different this time around and the opening page where that old broad just looks different to me.  Then we get to page with the tree and the posters and that is completely and utterly amazing to behold.  I am also extremely impressed with the way backgrounds are incorporated within the panels to create the depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such an amazing eye for storytelling.  The colour work is beautifully rendered as well.  How we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is stunning work.
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    This is why I love Ablaze Publishing as they bring some of the best of Europe’s comics storytelling.  I really have to say that there is something great about the concept here and how it’s being executed that showcases just how strong the talent of these creators really are.  That it can bring out the passion and strong feelings from the reader as they do is such a great testament to how good this truly is.  With strong, smart and intelligent writing and some excellent interior artwork this would be a great addition to anyone’s regular reading list.

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Frank At Home On The Farm #3

3/28/2021

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Frank At Home On The Farm #3
Scout Comics 2021
Written by Jordan Thomas
Illustrated by Clark Bint
Lettered by Lettersquids

    Frank thought things couldn't get any stranger. Well, the animals have something to say about that. The storm has well and truly arrived, and now Frank must face a whole new world of horrors as the mystery of his missing family spirals out of control.

    This is seriously one of the most messed up, interesting and lord knows what’s happening comics stories that I have ever read.  It is so fascinating and much like Anna Nicole when she was alive it’s a trainwreck you cannot look away from to save your life.  It really is damn near impossible to put down in words how wonderful life is with this in the world.  The more of this that we see the more disturbing it becomes and the less and less we seem to understand exactly what is happening here.  Has Frank returned home from the war and lost all his marbles so that he’s imagining everything except that was attacked by a wolf and he does indeed do something this issue that falls squarely back upon his knowledge from his army days.  Did he fall down the rabbit hole or is this all just a dream?

    The way that this is being told is mind blowingly sensational!  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.  I really have no idea what is truly happening and that in and of itself is a huge draw to my enjoyment of this and as the story constantly moves forward and Frank questions his own sanity the character development really is truly outrageous.  The pacing is great and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists & turns along the way we are gripped in a vice like grip by the story and have no intention of trying to break free.

    If your crazy and you know it clap your hands, clap clap, if your crazy and you know it and your not afraid to show it, if your crazy and you know it clap your hands, clap clap.  So I love the way we see this being structured and how the layers within the story keep growing like Boston Ivy.  This almost serves as a distraction but a beautiful one.  The way that we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow is absolutely delightful.

    The interiors here are crazy good.  The linework that we see is exceptional and how the varying weights and techniques are being utilised to create this level and quality of detail work is mindbogglingly brilliant.  The closeups on the pig and when he has his hoof on his chin, I mean c’mon it’s incredibly beautiful and yet disturbingly dark at the same time.  Because of what this is and how we see it i’m not even mad about the way backgrounds are or are not utilised here.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such a brilliant eye for storytelling.  The colour work we see is phenomenal.  The way that we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is stupendous.  Let’s talk a second about that panel where it looks like film is overheated and burning holes into it, that is without a shadow of a doubt one of the best panels in comics today.
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    Smart, intelligent and infinitely fascinating this is the kind of book you won’t see anywhere else but Scout Comics.  While it may appear that the inmates are running the asylum all I know is that i’m ready to be suited up and put in with Frank at this point.  

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Blade Runner Origins #2

3/28/2021

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Blade Runner Origins #2
Titan Comics 2021
Written by K. Perkins & Mellow Brown
Illustrated by Fernando Dagnino
Coloured by Marco Lesko
Lettered by Jim Campbell

    Los Angeles: 2009 – A Tyrell Corporation scientist is dead – an apparent suicide. But when LAPD detective Cal Moreaux is called in to investigate he uncovers something – secrets about the company’s Replicant research program that redefine what it means to be human.

    This is an amazing series already after just two issues.  The opening is great as it has this whole narration that doesn’t match what we see and that just manages to build some extreme intrigue into the picture.  Also he’s naked on the rooftop so where is his dangling bits shadow?  C’mon folks in this day and age we should’ve seen it.  Regardless what this issue does is really get into how Cal does his job, how his mind works and his rebellious streak according to his superior and all of these things along with the fact that the Tyrell Corporation owns everything and nearly everyone well I kind of see him like some freedom fighter.  This world is really coming alive here and had I been able read this before seeing the original film or anything else i’d e one of the franchises biggest fans over the years.

    I do believe the way that this is being told is completely and utterly brilliant.  How we see the story constantly moving forward through how the sequence of events unfold alongside how the reader learns information is presented impeccably.  If you missed last issue this one recaps and catches you up, though if you have missed it I do believe you need to pick it up.  The character development is phenomenal.  How we see the characters act and react to the situations and circumstances they encounter as well as the dialogue between them really gives us a better understanding of who they are.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the events we’re swept up in the intrigue and manipulations of those we see.

    The way that this is structured and how the layers within the story grow stronger and new ones emerge you can see just how well they’ve gone and made this seem simple, which its not.  With how everything works together to create the story’s ebb & flow we travel through the pages with ease.

    The aforementioned lack of peen aside the interiors here are absolutely mindbogglingly gorgeous!  The linework that we see is exquisitely laid down and thanks to the varying weights and techniques being utilised the detail work is stunning!  The faces and facial expressions along with the body language we see futhers the characterisation beautifully.  The way that we see backgrounds being utilised throughout and how they work in the composition within the panels to enhance the moments as well as bring us depth perception, a sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story is marvellously rendered.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a masters eye for storytelling.  The colour work we see is brilliant as well.  How the various hues and tones within the colours are being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work show such skill and talent.  All of it works to bring this raw emotion off the page and into the reader exceptionally well.
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    Not being a big Blade Runner fan myself I think this series so far is one of the most interesting, thoughtful and engaging books currently on stands.  Starting early on and seeing how this world started to change is something that we’ve never seen anything of it’s magnitude before.  This is why we love comics and the creators who’s skill, talent and verve are what make that possible.

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Shadow Doctor #2

3/28/2021

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Shadow Doctor #2
Aftershock Comics 2021
Written by Peter Calloway
Illustrated by Georges Jeanty
Coloured by Juancho!
Lettered by Charles Pritchett

    All Nathaniel wanted was a job as the qualified Doctor he is. A way to prove his worth to the world. He knew asking for money from the mob was a deal with the Devil, but what choice did he have? If he didn’t, it meant failure. And that would prove everyone else right.  So, he was willing to go back to the life he had left behind. He was willing to sign on the Devil’s dotted line. If, of course, Al Capone was willing to have him.

    I am in complete awe of this story.  Not only would this be one of the most sensational stories created that it is indeed a series of true events makes it all the more the inspiring.  This could be a feature film or a special on television and the world would be captivated and let me tell you the world should be captivated by this.  What Peter is doing is incredibly brave and terribly emotional to lay his family history on the line as it were.  There are many times when we say reality is stranger than fiction or art imitates life but to see those phrases come to life like this before us is truly a blessing.

    The way that this is being told is bloody brilliant.  The story & plot development we see advancing through how the sequence of events unfold alongside how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well.  The opening is endearing and shows us that Nathaniel found love in women regardless of the colour of her skin.  The character development that we see is phenomenal and really what that centres around is Al Capone.  From the way we see them in the tailor’s shop to how Al’s mother talks about Nathaniel this turns them from characters on a page into real people.  The pacing is excellent and how it takes from one important moment to the next is master rendered.

    Seeing how this is structured and the layers within the story highlighting the era and the time this all occurs is sensational to see play out.  How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow is really quite delightful.  It isn’t easy to take someone’s life and make a story like this out of it but what Peter has chosen to pick and spotlight creates this emotional impact on the reader and it’s damn lovely.

    This might be the best work of Georges career, and that is saying something in and of itself.  The linework is masterfly laid down and how the varying weights and techniques are utilised to create the detail work and the eerie likeness of the characters shows a man of skill and talent in a class few others can reach.  I mean I never considered Capone sexy before this issue.  I am so impressed with the way backgrounds are incorporated into the book and how they work within the composition of the panels to create this depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a brilliant eye for storytelling.  The colour work is beautifully rendered as well.  How we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is amazing to see.  I mean the mastery over colour, the understanding of how it works and to see the patterns and such is so incredible.
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    I feel like i’m reading a documentary of something that should be a standout during Black History Month.  The story is brilliant, the real life characters and events spotlight so much about loyalty, compassion and yes even friendship in ways that folks need to be reminded of even today.

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Paranormal Hitmen #2

3/28/2021

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Paranormal Hitmen #2
Behemoth 2021
Written by Brett Murphy 
Illustrated by Wilson Gandolpho

    There are ghosts running loose in Philadelphia! Has Dr. Mooney built a new Specter Cube? Will Gene and Devon be able to stop these ghosts on their own? Who is the mystery woman Alfonso Carboni called in for help?

    I have waited for what seemed an eternity for this issue to come out.  Oh boy was it absolutely worth the wait too because this is so much better than I remember it being.  There are few books that I’ve come across that work exactly like they are supposed to and this is one of them.  Each issue gets exponentially better than the last and while most books nowadays have a very consistent level throughout the whole arc this issue has been elevated since the last and that’s the sign of some very talented creators.  Then of course this issue reveals a few things that were on the brain as well regarding the whole legitimacy of the cube and while the idea is a tad absurd seeing where it comes from makes complete and utter sense and makes me even more excited to see where this is going to go.  I mean at some point the Fourth should come and try to take it and bring back their idol worship.

    I love the way that this is being told.  How we see the story & plot development advance through the sequence of events unfolding and how the reader learns information is presented beautifully.  The character development is amazing and the more I see of Gene and Devon the more I like them.  Sure they are a couple of Guido’s but that’s the whole appeal, they became hitmen now they are paranormal hitmen and they do good things without a real body count.  This odd couple is where it’s at folks and I am thoroughly enjoying their partnership.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing more of the story as well as the twists & turns it continues to get more and more captivating.

    I like the way that this is structured which helps how the sequence of events unfold and how logical what we see is presented without feeling like we’re jumping around.  Plus the layers within the story continue to grow and new ones emerge making the complexity of the story a lot more interesting.  How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow is utterly delightful.

    I will say that I am loving the interior artwork here.  There is of course the creativity and imagination that we see on display which is a huge part of it, but there’s also some really nice representation of the late seventies too.  The linework is nice and solid and along with the varying weights and techniques that we see being utilised to bring about the attention to detail that we see is stupendous.  You know what comes next, backgrounds.  Yep that’s right when we see them they are glorious, i mean the opening splash page, the inside of the bank and Gene’s house (in particular) are phenomenally well rendered.  So seeing this I know that they can be incorporated into more panels.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a stellar eye for storytelling.  The colour work is fabulous!  How we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work show some real expertise.  The greens, aqua’s and white that we see in the ghosts is a true highlight of that expertise.
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    People if you were a fan of the old Blue & Gold team you need to be reading this.  Though I will warn you this is a much smarter representation of that.  This has style and class that you wouldn’t expect from it and it is just a very intelligently written story that happens to have some incredibly solid artwork to frame that story.

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Teen Titans Academy #1

3/27/2021

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Teen Titans Academy #1DC Comics 2021
Written by Tim Sheridan
Pencilled by Rafa Sandoval
Inked by Jordi Tarragona
Coloured by Alejandro Sanchez
Lettered by Rob Leigh

    Welcome to Teen Titans Academy! Packed with both new, super-powered teens and numerous dark secrets, Teen Titans Academy’s student body includes Shazam; a new Australian speedster; a trio of Goth(am) teen expatriates obsessed with Batman-and one member of this first class will become the deadly Red X. Original New Teen Titans including Nightwing, Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy take on the role of teachers and mentors for superpowered teens. Their goal: to shape the next generation of heroes.

    First thing about this that i noticed, after comparing to Avengers Academy, is the new and improved Starfire.  Headmistress, not at all flighty and has her act together in a way that I personally have longed to see ever since her debut in the 80’s.  It is a refreshing change of pace and honestly I do wish that Garth, Lilith, Karen and Mal were also faculty here and that they would play on the first black superheroes in comics here as well.  The Original Teen Titans had such a diverse cast of characters with Hawk & Dove, Flamebird, Harlequin (Duela Dent), Golden Eagle, Tula and Gnaark so I sincerely hope that in this new reality we’ll see them all make guest appearances and take the kids on field trips.  I mean the possibilities are infinite.  

    I love 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 laid down exceptionally well.  From the opening to seeing and meeting the inaugural class to learning about how the current team fits into the grand scheme of things what we see is a well thought out and executed sequence of events.  I will also say don’t knock the old villains, Clock King may ot be as scary but then neither was Dr. Light when the Titans went up against him.  The character development that we see is extremely nice to see as well.  The dialogue is fantastic and as we get to know bits and pieces about the kids it leaves us wanting to know more.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the characters and the story it manages to bring us full circle.

    The interiors here are fantastic.  Sure what we see is classic comic book style stuff and at times it can be interchangeably generic but given time this team will tighten that up and we’ll see Donna as Donna, which on page 13 she’s not immediately recognisable.  I will say that I am pretty impressed with the fact that the pencils and inks look like the work of one person and that’s saying something about the skill and talent that we see.  I would like to see backgrounds be utilised more, if one person is doing the pencils and another the inks there is no reason to flesh out the Titans Tower and really give us a sense of what this place is and what it means to be there.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a solid eye for storytelling.  The colour work is fantastic!  How we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is exceptional stuff.  
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    That it’s Dick Grayson, who regardless of what anyone thinks, who is in charge should come as no surprise and if there are going to be teachers at an Academy.  After all teenage sidekicks who are all grown up, who would know how the kids feel better than they do.  Though it does remind me of Mr. Jupiter in a way and that I can be reminded of the past as the future is a wide open place it gives me hope that the Titans can rise once more and become something great again.  DC definitely got this one right and with the creators as well.

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