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Today's reviews!

Reviews for 21-01-21 Reviews for 20-01-21
​Reviews for 19-01-21 Reviews for 18-01-21 Reviews for 17-01-21
​Reviews for 16-01-21 Reviews for 15-01-21 Reviews for 14-01-21
​Reviews for 12-01-21 Reviews for 11-01-21 Reviews for 10-01-21
​Reviews for 09-01-21 Reviews for 08-01-21 Reviews for 07-01-21
​Reviews for 06-01-21 Reviews for 05-01-21 Reviews for 04-01-21
​Reviews for 03-01-21 Reviews for 02-01-21 Reviews for 01-01-21

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Pathfinder Spiral of Bones #2

4/30/2018

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Pathfinder: Spiral of Bones #2
Dynamite Entertainment 2018
Written by Crystal Frasier
Illustrated by Tom Garcia
Coloured by Morgan Hickman
Lettered by Thomas Napolitano
Starfinder Backup Story
Written by Erik Mona
Illustrated by Diego Galindo
Coloured by Mohan


     Cocksure fighter Valeros has shuffled off his mortal coil and now finds himself adrift in the cosmos beyond the living world of Golarion! Surrounded by angels and devils hungry for his soul, and without his resourceful friends, Valeros must survive his greatest adventure by his wits alone… a dire challenge indeed!

     Well things start to make a little more sense where Valeros is concerned as we see him in the opening when he was a child. I do find it interesting that even in this fictional world of Pathfinder that the farmers were less concerned about the education of their children, reading and writing, and more fixed upon giving them the skill to live off the land, farm and make a living and support a family with hard work. His grandmother well she was one of the hoity toity elite who knew spells and was probably a Pathfinder herself would ridicule the entire family. It kind of makes sense to see him as boy and know that kind of upbringing is a factor in the man he became.

     I like the way this book is structured and the whole flow of what we see here. From the past to the present and everything in between this is how you tell a story set in a fictional world. It almost feels like it takes the whole Egyptian mythology of the afterlife and mixes is with the Christian belief where you are judged and deciding on that outcome where it is you go. It seems to me to be a creative way to mix and meld a few established ideas and make them across and new and original. Crystal does a magnificent job with how she’s got the whole book to make not only a weird sense but to get the reader to see things like I just did.

     It’s not until we get to the end of the story for this issue until the major twist happens but before that I love how we see Valeros’ journey. He has a jewel on his forehead and it’s something in life he wasn’t supposed to touch and this is why things are how the are. So the real question is why is there a case of mistaken identity happening here? What did that crystal do? There are a few ideas, see theories, as to what happened but I will gladly wait and see if I am right or wrong but in the meantime seeing how all this plays out is more than half the fun!

     Tom and Morgan do some nice work on the interiors here. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a very good, solid eye for storytelling. The attention to detail is very nice to see and the way the varying weight of the linework is fantastic as we get to see subtle use of it to solid and bold use. There really is a lot to like and appreciate in what we see here and the colouring and the way the gradation or choice used in certain situations really makes some moments pop nicely.

     Now the backup story holds the attention incredibly well too. The whole D&D in space idea is one that I adore and really want to find a way to play. The myriad of species and how we see things unfold is utterly I want to say adorable but it’s extremely well done. The whole mix here and what we see and the undeniable way I see these creatures as walking talking Tribbles yeah I am totally hooked on this and I wanna see a full stand alone arc!

     This is fun for me it’s extremely well written, interesting and complex in all the right ways and it just makes you want to find your friends get a game going and drink, have snacks and just let loose.  

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Shadowman #2

4/30/2018

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Shadowman #2
Valiant Entertainment 2018
Written by Andy Diggle
Illustrated by Stephen Segovia
Coloured by Ulises Arreola
Lettered by Simon Bowland


     Jack Boniface has only just returned home to New Orleans…but the Deadside won’t let him stay gone! From across the veil of life and death, the malignant presence of Baron Samedi – a ravenous voodoo deity bent on consolidating power at all costs – now seeks to infiltrate the mortal plane and claim the legacy of Shadowman for himself! But even as Jack and Alyssa marshal a defense to Samedi’s inhuman agenda, a monstrous new force – driven by killer instinct and a rabid hatred of the Shadowman – is about to turn the Big Easy’s back alleys into a hunting ground…

     It really is fantastic to see Jack back in his own book and honestly with Andy’s skill and ability when it comes to storytelling couldn’t be a better fit to create something new, fresh and surprising. Already we see that this whole thing is so much more complex and has avenues to it that may or may not tie into one another but will test their minds and detective skills. I like it, in his absence the town has literally gone to hell and now that he’s back it’s time for Jack and Alyssa to fix what’s wrong.

      I like the way the book is structured and how Andy manages the flow of what we see. We ended last issue with Samedi possessing Alyssa to get Jack’s goat as it were and that’s where we pick up here well after he’s left her body. While the thought and idea of the Deadside is already rearing it’s ugly head I am going to trust in Andy’s judgement that it won’t be something that keeps occurring, Jack going back that is. As much as I love the idea of Samedi being his “Joker” it would be nice to see other avenues and other problems arise.

     Well maybe the folks we’re being more fully introduced to will open that avenue where science versus “magic” or voodoo comes into play. They however know of Samedi and their whole deal while I am not completely up to date on their involvement but it’s an interesting mix from what I can see. That Andy is showing us some of what they capable of and how they respect, see fear, Samedi well we know they aren’t good people and I look forward to seeing what their whole relationship is. If they are just trying to curry favour with Samedi and Jack defeats him what then? There are a ton of possibilities here and thinking about them all excites me.

     Stephen and Ulises work extremely well together. Before I get into details I think THE most powerful image in the book came on page seven with the teddy bear. The utilisation of the page layouts and the angles and perspective that we see in the panels showcases a very magnificent eye for storytelling. Then there’s the varying weight in the linework and the use of shadow and shading that really make moments stand out or change a character like we saw. It really does give the boys a perfect platform to really stretch their legs and do some amazing stuff. The backgrounds the attention to detail, the colour gradation and how everything blends it’s just stellar stuff.

     This series is off to a strong healthy start. It has all the things that make a reader eager to see more and actually engages them. I rather enjoy when a book will take me into that zone where my mind races and I try to come up with scenarios that COULD play out. That is the power of storytelling right there when the reader thinks beyond the story itself and gets to that point where they are so invested.
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     Andy provides some magnificent writing in the story/plot development and characterisation while the guys do some of their best work yet. There is no denying this is Valiant’s new “IT” book.

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Cyber Force #2

4/30/2018

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Cyber Force #2
Top Cow Productions/Image Comics 2018
Created by Marc Silvestri
Written by Bryan Hill & Matt Hawkins
Illustrated by Atilio Rojo
Lettered by Troy Peteri


     Stryker must reconcile with what he's become...and what's been done to his daughter Carin. There's little time for either of them, as the villain that threatens the world seeks to draft someone else to her cause: Killjoy.

     I said it last issue and I will say it again I like this take on the franchise, not a re-boot or anything but a start from scratch story featuring the characters Marc created. For a new generation of readers Cyber Force is a modern day story combining the best features of traditional comics, the Bionic Man franchise and current world events in ways that are being seen here first. It really is fresh and interesting stuff going here and I love the fact that it reads so well.

     The way the book is structured is fantastic there really is a good solid flow to the information that is revealed to us. Also there is this utterly spectacular way that we see the characters from their own perspective. Carin has the youth, enthusiasm and innocence to not even realise or understand the scope of her decision last issue. Sure being in a wheelchair sucked and she dreamed of running and they gave her the choice to stand on her own two feet so to speak. However everything comes at a price and nothing, absolutely nothing is done altruistically.

     I am also very appreciative of the introduction of the villainous side of the book. We as reader can glean a few things from the interaction of the characters and we see the so-called failed version of the experiment that was so successful in Carin. I am beyond thrilled with the job the boys do here with the characterisation of her and the whole showreel of her background was a huge success in my book. This is beyond solid storytelling and it’s great to see this level of work in a superhero style book.

     Big fan of the interior artwork here from Atilio. His utilisation of page layouts and how we seet he angles and perspective in the panels shows off an incredible eye for storytelling. The fact that Atilio uses backgrounds so effectively to not only expand the scene, moment and world they inhabit but is able to convey things like movement the way he does is spectacularly well done. Also the ending we see is well done as well and I like that it is so simple and beautiful which is also tasteful. He really makes the book what it is with his ability to portray what is needed in a series like this.

     Honestly the fact that there are so many secrets being revealed as well as some serious foreshadowing this early on makes me excited to see what’s coming. Stryker may not have wanted this done to him and while he understands the dangers inherent in Carin accepting this offer that doesn’t mean he’s going to play along willingly. I like that too because while I see one thing in the works that doesn’t mean the boys are going to go that way. Always expect the unexpected and never assume you are right because this book is going to be filled with twists and turns and that much I can guarantee.
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     This isn’t following the rules of normal comics storytelling. It is full of great stuff already and where we almost see what is going on isn’t a given. The story/plot development alongside the characterisation and interior artwork make this the stand out breakthrough series of the year contender!

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The XII #2

4/29/2018

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The XII #2
Alterna Comics 2018
Created & Written by Patrick Trahey
Illustrated by Luis Suarez
Lettered by Martin A. Perez


     Fifteen years of relative safety have spared Caleb's son Eli from the harsh truths of the world. Finally face to face with the brutality and desolation that exists outside the farm, Eli comes to the grim understanding of how the "Dead Roads" got their name.
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     This post apocalyptic western continues to move forward as the three men continue onward towards Chicago. I like the way that this book is structured as their journey moving forward finds them in direct conflict with so many various people. Also conflict isn’t something that has to culminate in violence either, it just has to be something the people disagree on so as to cause a disagreement in thinking. Either way what Patrick does here is pretty great and I like the way the characterisation and the background get filled in here as well.

     It isn’t easy to fill an issue let alone a book with such a limited cast of characters and yet it feels like this isn’t a problem for Patrick. The journey on the road is a perfect and lonely place for secrets to be revealed and to find themselves lost in the remoteness of nothing. It really is a great way to get the audience involved with these characters so that they find themselves caring about them and become invested in them long before you realise it’s been done. Also all the tension that we’ve been seeing thus far with Caleb and his wife’s brother well wait until you experience e what happens there!

     This really is a deceptively complex story. It has drama, horror and that good old fashioned ride off to the big city to avenge the death of what they’ve known. Only here and now it’s the three of them travelling along this lonely stretch of dead road. Eli left a boy and he’ll return a man and we will see this happen before our very eyes. Sometimes it isn’t the actions that we take which make us men and women but the experiences we go through and how we walk away from the temptations that would lead us down the wrong roads.

     I am a fan of Luis’ interior artwork and the more I see of it the more I find myself appreciating the work he puts into it. The way that the page layouts are utilised so that we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a great eye for storytelling. I like the varying weights of the linework here and they can go from soft and subtle to bold and angry plus the way that the colouring adds that pop here and there, the campfire for instance, just works really well. We don’t see a whole of backgrounds in use and that’s okay with a story like this one, the open road and desolation don’t leave much room for it.

     The pacing of this is really very well done and I like how at times it feels like they’ve been stretched to the breaking point as the men fight and verbally spar around the events that have and are happening around them. The past has a way of coming back to haunt you and when the future is too wide open sometimes poor choices are made and the attempt at keeping ones sanity can be a much harder thing than we think.
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     This is what the world looks like after it’s over and people have to find a way to start all over again with only the barest of resources. Be prepared to get lost in a future where it’s more recent than you expect.  

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Cult Classic Return to Whisper #2

4/29/2018

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Cult Classic Return to Whisper #2
Vault Comics 2018
Created & Written by Eliot Rahal
Illustrated by Felipe Cunha
Coloured by Dee Cunniffe
Lettered by Taylor Esposito


     Murder, mourning, and the heist of the century! Discover how our cast of 1997 teenage misfits stole the Diary of Colonel Vance—whose pages tell the secrets of a fabled fortune and a terrible curse! Meanwhile, in the present, another member of the grown-up gang is dead. Will the killer be able to cover their tracks before an old enemy emerges?

     The more I read of this the more I like it. It totally has the Goonies meets Murder on the Orient Express feel to it that on it’s surface shouldn’t work but as the story continues it just gets that much stronger. Eliot seems to have mastered the whole then and now storytelling as we see deeper and deeper into the events of their childhood and how they have managed to turn them into the adults that they are today. There is also this whole aspect to this that we don’t even know what happened to when they were kids meaning the story is told forward and backward which is an interesting principal when you think about it.

     The way that this is structured is incredibly unique to me. The whole ebb & flow to what we’re seeing is magnificent in ways that’s almost too hard to describe. Just the fact that we are seeing the way that past is unfolding versus to the events we see today is so at odds with one another that I am not entirely sure what is really going on. I love that this group of kids were such good friends back in the day and that they planned a museum heist and actually got away with it. Then apparently something happens in the meantime while they are still kids that we aren’t privy to as of yet.

     That of course leads us the bickering adults that they are today and with the death of the first among them they’ve come back together. So there are spoilers for us as the adult versions talk about what happened, well really skirt around the issue but all in all they pretty much fill in the blanks to a degree. Amazingly enough Eliot also manages to somehow have these kids maintain their core personality traits so it’s nice to see that even with time, life lived and learned that they people kind of remain who they are.

      Felipe and Dee do some really solid work here. While there is a completely all-ages aspect to the artwork it is still very much adult oriented. I love the way the images pop here and then that moment we see the museum come into view and the attention to detail in that was incredible to see. So simple yet so complex and then of course the museum’s rendition of the declaration of independence or whatever that document that lines the walls well yeah it’s got that whole air about that really captures everything. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a strong eye for storytelling.

     I like the way we see events of the past coming back to haunt them now. With what they accomplished and how they did it it isn’t hard to see someone wanting to come after them. Though oddly enough after all this time that seems more than a bit petty. However if there really is a curse on the treasure that they have found then it all makes this weirdly odd sense. While I am still waiting for the reveal of which ones gay I doubt that’ll come true for me or if it does then I’ll be damned if it isn’t him.
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     Refreshingly old school and completely fun this is the kind of stuff that would’ve made Indiana Jones jealous!

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Subspecies #2

4/29/2018

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Subspecies #2
Action Lab Danger Zone/Full Moon Presents 2018
Written by Cullen Bunn & JimmyZ
Illustrated by Daniel J. Logan
Coloured by Yann Perrelet
Lettered by Micah Myers


     After spending years trying to get her life back to a semblance of normality, what threat could possibly be big enough to reunite Michelle with Radu? A foe so evil and vile that the two of them need to travel to Prejmer in order to try and stop it.

     Well I have to say that guys are crafting one hell of a story here. I really like the direction that this is taking as we see Michelle who as a Vampire herself has found a way to live her life, be a nurse and fly under the radar as it were. I really like the idea too being the night nurse a job no one really wants but someone who can’t move about during the day and in this day and age of course there is also direct deposit and such so who really needs to go into a bank any more when it call be done online? The whole idea that a vampire could exist and thrive in this day and age makes for a whole other story that I'm hoping Cullen will tell!

     The way that this book is structured and how we see the whole ebb & flow of what we see the information come to life around them is extremely well done. Last issue ended with one of the whiz bang cliffhanger endings as we see not one but five Radu’s showing up, well four after she killed the one who followed her home from the hospital. So how on Earth are there five of him and why do they all look so drastically different? Well you will have to read the story to find out about that and why all but one are trying to kill Michelle.

     There is something about this that you can’t quite put your finger on but can like and appreciate about how this is being told. There is an intelligence to this that you don’t normally see in slasher style horror. Old school psychological horror yes and this one seems to blend the two of those ideas together in a way that is inspired. It has all the classic kind of cheesy dialogue that we’d expect from the film itself and yet it’s done in a way that makes you laugh and cringe because of the way we see the violence, or the aftermath of violence. For me this is definitely a case where it surpasses the original.

     I like the work that Daniel and Yann do on the interiors here. The way we see the characters come to life has this nice way about it that gives them the uniqueness they need and reminds me of the work we’ve seen in Puppet Master. The creativity and imagination on display here is magnificent and I love the subtlety of the work and how the varying weight of the linework is manipulated to show us the attention to detail and keep the Radu’s familiar and yet their own. The way we the page layouts utilised and then how the angles and perspective in the panels showcase a stellar eye for storytelling.

     I think while this may be a horror series about vampires who have this idea of death and destruction to Michelle and then running rampant upon society well there’s a bloodthirstiness about it that is classic and yet a very psychological aspect to it that separates it from the rest of the field. Also that the violence isn’t on page but off panel is a nice touch because the carnage aftermath is much more effective since it let’s the readers mind run rampant with what happened.
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     Smart, sassy and spectacularly illustrated this is one horror story you really shouldn’t missing out on!

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The Wilds #2

4/29/2018

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The Wilds #2
Black Mask Studios 2018
Written by Vita Ayala
Illustrated by Emily Pearson
Coloured by Marissa Louise
Lettered by Jim Campbell
Best Runs Artist—Jessi Jordan


     Something frightening is happening in the outside world - Abominations are acting strangely, dragging victims away instead of killing them, amassing into hordes and working together as if they have a purpose. Inside The Compound, tensions rise as Runners lose freedoms in the wake of Teddy's disastrous return. Amid the increased threat outside the walls and the unrest within, Daisy has to say goodbye to Heather, whose latest run will take her through the worst of the dangers that the wilds have to offer.

     The second issue here does exactly what it’s supposed to be, stronger, smarter and faster than the one before it. I’m really rather impressed with Vita’s storytelling here. The way the book is structured is nicely done and there’s a great flow like green vines going up the house walls to create that magnificent effect. The opening here shows a little bit more about these Abominations and what’s happened since they’ve arrived and have merged with the forests to help mother nature reclaim areas that much more quickly. So basically it’s like Life Without People on with people lol. It really kind of cool to think about.

     Oh Daisy and her meeting with Director Smith well that was enlightening for a number of reasons. I thought him kind of shady before but now yeah I find him kind of despicable and as the man who manages to runners and how he treats them and manipulates the time they have to spend there I wanna see some Abomination get him. He seems like a smooth talking Governor and well that just doesn’t sit well so whatever Vita is doing with the characterisation here she needs to keep it up because not only am I invested I have personal feelings as well as if I am part of the group. Oh and yes that extends to Frank.

     I still don’t understand the lines that look like they are supposed to represent facial structure because they look so off. If they are something please let me know, I mean see the scars and understand those but otherwise nope. Also put in some backgrounds I’d like to have a better feel of where the characters are. Everything feels so generic and I apologise for the bluntness but in all honesty it feels almost colourforms to me. The use of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective are nicely done and show the eye for storytelling is there.

     There is more information that is being leaked and what it means is anyone’s guess but it makes Smith and his agenda seem that much more sinister and the young man Eli can he put it all together and warn Daisy in time? Then of course there’s the ending to this issue as we see what is happening with Daisy’s lover Heather as she goes on a medical run.

     The concept behind this is fantastic and Vita’s storytelling ability and how she weaves the characterisation, story and plot development forward is extremely nice to see. Marissa needs to find her style it’s in there somewhere waiting to come out and I hope we see that soon. This is an interesting book and completely unique take on the End of the World story.

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Midnight Task Force #1

4/28/2018

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Midnight Task Force #1
Mad Cave Studios 2018
Written by Mark London
Illustrated by Alejandro Giraldo
Lettered by Christian Ospina


     This is a sci-fi, cyberpunk thriller that will have you questioning reality itself. Detroit, 2055. A nightmarish city plagued by violence and fueled by corruption. Follow Aiden McCormick–Detroit’s most gifted detective–as he tries to solve a series of brutal murders while keeping the dark secrets of his past hidden…

     While it claims to be cyberpunk I am not so sure about that but then I am certainly no expert in that realm. I did play and RPG once upon a time that was I guess it was Shadowrun and honestly I enjoyed that where my character would enter computer system though it left my body vulnerable. Right off the bat I am sharing a part of my life that connects me however tentatively to the book and that my friends is how you get a reader involved without them knowing about it.
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I’m not sure why the opening was nine years ago but okay we’ll go with that. It seems quite a time distance but if that’s what it took to get Aiden where he is then okay. Still I don’t know why but I was expecting something completely different since it was high end military op. I was kind of hoping that the result of the op would’ve gone a different but that’s not wat Mark had in mind and frankly I am glad that my didn’t happen.

     I gotta say I really like the way the book is structured and how easily it flows through the pages. Quick but not so fast as to miss or gloss over anything so it’s got a good solid pacing to it. Interwoven throughout the story is characterisation that comes from many angles and sources and somehow it makes the crazy work. Though I will admit that I cannot wait until it’s revealed how the Sarge, Cabot and Pullman ended up where they do because if that’s what I think it is, trying my damnedest to keep it spoiler free here, then wow what a kind of game changer, if it’s not well if the crazy works don’t fix it.
     The major part of the story/characterisation happens when Aiden is in the now and he’s working as a Detroit cop or Detective or whatever he is. The sheer angst, anger and unable to find himself well adjusted is PTSD at it’s finest not to mention possibly survivors guilt. Regardless the story that Mark is crafting here is exceptionally well done and the more we see the more we want to know and the less we know.

     Computer artwork interiors may be the wave of the future but I am an old fashioned guy and like my pencils’ and inks though for a Cyberpunk Thriller the colouring effects do stand out more. Also the utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a pretty good solid eye for storytelling. There are some extremely breathtaking views here though and I do very much like the attention to detail that is present here. Personal feelings aside Alejandro does some absolutely amazing work here.

     Y’all need to be on this Mad Cave bandwagon because two books right now and they could be any more different and yet share the fact that they are extremely well written, illustrated and basically rock. This isn’t what I thought it was going to be and I am thankful for that then of course what we get is beyond anything I would’ve dreamed of. It completely reminds me of the whole futuristic worn out private dick genre or Blade Runner.

     Strongly written, exceptionally well illustrated and the kind of character who is neither hero or anti-hero and is exactly he should be. That is what you get here and it’s about damn time too because this is unique.  

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The Forever War: Forever Free #1

4/28/2018

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The Forever War: Forever Free #1
Titan Comics 2018
Written by Joe Haldeman
Illustrated by Marvano
with Gay Haldeman


     I like that this one is a sequel to a story that we’ve already seen that was actually an extremely nice introduction to what the Haldeman’s do. Also no surprise here but this is a new reader friendly book. Thanks to the way this is written and how we are introduced to the main character Captain Marygay Potter, through a quite a nice narration on everything that has been leading up this story. I am going to say one thing, why is when Heterosexual relationships are the anomaly why is it we see only a woman and her lover, whom she took after the man she loves went off on another ship? Yes it’s her story but in all honesty I am not happy that we don’t with any of the men around what we see with Gay and Cat.

     As for the story itself I really like the concept behind all this. Using a wormhole to create technology so ships can travel fast distances is great that those who use it however remain young as they enter out the other side anywhere from 5 to 5000 years after they left is the twist. As Marygay’s story unfolds before us we learn about her, her life and the situation she finds herself in. The way that this book is structured is very well done and I like the whole ebb & flow that we see and feel here. In the allotted space which granted is more like two and half issues of a normal book it’s got the perfect way about it to tell an entire tale in one issue.

     While the first part of the book is about Marygay and her life and her explanation of their situation the second half of the book is about her encounter with the enemy and the finale well that will lead us into the next issue. So yes I am very much enjoying how the story is told, where it leads and how the wormhole space travel can effect how things are perceived. After all if someone is travelling that far into the future to end up on the other side what’s been drilled into you may not exactly be what the reality of the situation currently is.

     In my opening I talked about how I felt about the homosexuality being centred on women and I meant every word of being disappointed by this common view that it’s more fun to watch two women than men in the straight world but hey the nudity and yes the sex that we see at least is tastefully done and is done to kind of hammer home Marygay’s version that she may be a heterosexual anomaly but she can just as well fit in with the current adaptation of what is considered societal normality. I do wish this had been explored more and differently but that is solely my opinion.

     Marvano does a marvellous job with the interior artwork. His utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective showcase a very good, solid eye for storytelling. Also I like the way he renders the bodies, there is no embellishment or that muscular build we normally see in comics, this is real life anatomy and it’s glorious. Though Angela Garcia looks more than a tad wonky still she certainly leaves an impression. Also the creativity and imagination on display is interesting and delightful.
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     The world of science fiction is vast and takes many different directions and for me this one feels pretty darn classic. I like that it doesn’t remove itself in variation from what some of genre’s pioneers did in their work and it reminds me that sometimes a good story doesn’t need gimmicks it just needs an audience.

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Aliens: Dust to Dust #1

4/27/2018

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Aliens: Dust to Dust #1
Dark Horse Comics 2018
Written & Illustrated by Gabriel Hardman
Coloured by Rain Beredo
Lettered by Michael Heisler


     The Trono colony on LV-871 is under attack. Emergency evacuations are ordered. Evac shuttles are taking off. All twelve-year-old Maxon and his mom have to do is make it to the spaceport. Except between them and it are . . . Aliens!

    I do rather enjoy the mini-series that Dark Horse does for the Alien franchise. The last arc after arc that followed the same story from multiple angles was some of the more intense storytelling that came and Dead Orbit was beautifully done now Gabriel is adding to the mythos with this story that starts off incredibly strong. Also it really reminds me of Aliens and instantly reminds me of Newt. That isn’t a bad thing as a matter of fact it’s great because that film was amazingly well done and set the tone for a book like this to happen.

     The opening does it for me in so many ways, a young boy wakes up to some strange noises and goes to investigate. Yeah set in the darkness like it is is the stuff nightmares are made of. It brilliantly captures your attention, imagination and fuels the adrenaline in your system. It really is perfectly done and makes me excited for what’s to come. The way the book is structured is extremely good and nice to see because it’s totally natural. We see the opening and follow through to the ending and while we may know what certain things mean they do not and that creates a beautiful amount of tension and anticipation for us as readers.

     If there is one thing I have learned is never get attached to characters in these stories. Why because every time I find one that shows promise and is interesting, you the unexpected person who lead and fight yeah that one they die. So I am tentatively going to root for Maxon to live through all this and hope that at least he makes it to the end of the story. If you want the truth it’s that what Gabriel has done with him already is start him off as this meek and unworldly kid so the potential in him is unlimited and it’s something I want to see.

     The interior artwork here is so incredibly well suited for this which should come as no surprise since Gabriel is laying them down as well. Still with what Rain’s colouring ability it is so strikingly good. The varying weight of the linework that we see and the angles and perspective in the panels create mood and evoke feelings of dread and hope at the same time. The way page layouts are utilised combined with the rest showcase his eye for storytelling, which is kind of glorious. That we see so many backgrounds in use expands the story and his rendition of the Aliens is remarkable. The creativity and imagination on display here make the story just that much more impactful.

     I was in love with this from the first page. There is promise that there may be survivors who have to band together and last long enough to be saved. Meanwhile among them are those that will hatch the aliens inside them putting them all risk, that of course is only to be expected. There is fear here as well and not just for the characters running for their lives but among the readers as well. We know what they face and yet we sit here and cheer and root, not all of us for the people, for their survival.
​

     This is everything you could hope for and imagine in an Aliens story and I am sure it’s destined to be a classic!

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