READING WITH A FLIGHT RING
  • About
  • reviews
  • Contact
  • Cosplay of the Day 2
  • Company News
  • Entertainment Section
  • Convention News/Updates
  • original artwork
  • My Best Books of the Week
  • Cosplay of the day!
  • FCBD
  • Interviews
  • Webcomics

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

Facebook Link

Kino #15

4/30/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Kino #15
Lion Forge 2017
Written by Alex Paknadel
Illustrated by Diego Galindo
Coloured by Valentina Pinto
Lettered by Jim Campbell


     A standoff between the Italian navy and a migrant vessel leaves Meath struggling with a patriotic duty that made more sense in the fantasy Assante created. Even a violent militia group called the Knights of Albion are accepted as patriots in this new country Spode envisions. Buried under black propaganda that villainizes the hurting, Meath is forced to clash with reality, including the appearance of Myers's mother, while Gilmour and Coal uncover the truth behind twisted Foresight experiments.

     Prime Minister Spode has bribed, killed and stolen his way into being the country’s Prime Minister and with a series of lapdogs at his disposal such as his daughter spouting the news England finds itself at the hands of a certifiable madman. So I have no idea how much of this was Alex’s idea and how much is just the culmination of everything that has come before but what I do know is that by the end of all this Meath had darn well better exposed Spode for who and what that foul creature truly is! I mean he’s like the Donald Trump of Great Briton and that’s a scary ass thing to see.

     So if you haven’t noticed by my impassioned paragraph above the characterisation here is way beyond what even I could have hoped it would be. Things have been coming to a head for a while now and yes Spode is trying to outdo Lorena on so many levels, I guess when you a micro-penis you do things like this, that he’s going way too fast way too quickly. At least Lorena has been cultivating her empire and seat of power for years before all this even dreamt of happening for Spode, though his evil is far more noticeable and palpable then he realises.

     Now if this is your introduction to the series that’s okay you jump into the story here and not be left behind. Alex does a sensational job working in what’s come before throughout the entire issue without you even thinking twice about it as it also ties into the current arc that well. Every new arc of a series should start off as easily accessible as this one is. Alex is more than coming into his own before our very eyes in terms of his writing, he’s becoming more confident and assertive and it’s absolutely delightful to witness.

     I am a fan of Diego’s and have been so seeing his work here is great. He does an excellent comic book style and he is able to utilise the varying weights in the linework to create some very nice attention to detail. I like the jacket and the shirt beneath it but not terribly keen on the jeans or maybe I'm not getting a proper enough look at it. Also keep it purple cause yes ma’am! The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show us a wonderful eye for storytelling. The utilisation of backgrounds I would like to see focused on more, there are times when that blank space (behind Spode on the podium) can be disconcerting or feel like someone got lazy. I am very much enjoying the colour work here as well. There is some excellent shading and shadows in play and all too small patches of colour gradation but the overall effect is rather dynamic.
​

     Lion Forge has really impressed me with this Catalyst Prime Universe and this one hasn’t disappointed in the least. It has a modern fresh feel about it with a tie into the that four-colour comic of the past, thanks to his time being spoon-fed the lies. How Meath is going to deal with all these underhanded, muckraking liars and such while trying to pull himself together is were the real fun in all this lies. People, you want good, modern and moody superheroes then look no further.

0 Comments

The Lollipop Kids #5

4/30/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Lollipop Kids #5
Aftershock Comics 2018
Story by Aidan & Adam Glass
Written by Adam Glass
Illustrated by Diego Yapur
Coloured by DC Alonso
Lettered by Sal Cipriano


     Short on time and experience Nick has no choice but to battle the monsters head on and save not only the city but the Lollipop Kids, too. Nick is the last man standing between the end of the world as we know it and being the hero he never asked to be. Can he succeed? Nick has an ace up his sleeve that might be just what he needs to win the day. His DYSLEXIA.

     Oh I am sorry that this is the last issue in this arc. Adam has this way of drawing you into his series’ and then it’s over and we have to wait to see if there will be another arc. I would damn him for this if writing weren’t so extraordinarily good. This could easily take it’s place alongside the Rough Riders in terms of quality and likeability. Now I know everyone wants to work at the so-called two but ya know what these creator-owned smaller press books are so much better to me. There is a freedom that you don’t get with corporate mandates and such which allows for truly magnificent storytelling.

     One of the things that I have been loving about this story is how we are being shown that Dyslexia isn’t a handicap or something to be ashamed of having. Heck even Nick’s own sister thought that as she shielded him from the Lollipop Kids during her tenure with them. There are other issues with these two but that’s another story for another time I suppose. Still the characterisation here are bloody brilliant as we have the pleasure to see Nick grow into his own and prove to the others that there is more to him than meets the eye and they should take him more seriously.

     The way this is structured is beautifully done as we get to see the story’s ebb & flow through its pages. There is a great balance between the story of the characters, the stories throughout history and the battle with the monsters and while it has this a natural feel to it that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t also feel like some perfectly orchestrated ballet. With Adam’s experience I think this comes more naturally to him as he writes it becomes this expression of the characters as well as himself.

     Oh Diego and the way the man is capable of bringing life to the page. His work with DC here has been nothing short of brilliant and masterful. Between the two of them their depiction of the kids mixed parentage comes across with such grace and beauty that I am constantly in awe of just how damn talented they are. The attention to detail is bloody marvellous to see and everything from the colour gradation to the freckles all of it has this elegance to it that you can’t wrest your eyes from. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show this masterful eye for storytelling. The way that backgrounds are utilised here to bring the world to life, to expand the moments and bring us a size and scope to their world is spectacular to see.
​

     I like the way that this ended and then the cliffhanger ending behind that yeah this is classic stuff. Also it does say hey I have another arc available that I am hoping to get to, time and demand provided. The story & plot development along with the pacing and the characterisation here are exceptional and add in this level and quality of interior artwork and you have every single reason why Aftershock is home to today’s hottest talent and stories.

0 Comments

Turok #03

4/30/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Turok #03
Dynamite Entertainment 2019
Written by Ron Marz
Illustrated by Roberto Castro
Coloured by Salvatore Aiala
Lettered by A Larger world Studios’ Troy Peteri


     Turok and Andar are on the verge of solving the secrets of the Lost Valley, if they can just avoid becoming dinner for hungry dinosaurs! Meanwhile, the cavalry soldiers might betray the brothers in order to find a way home, the mysterious bounty hunter reveals his true (and shocking!) nature, and Turok comes face to face with a woman who could become his greatest ally ... or his worst enemy! Classic adventure for a classic creative team!

     Well the opening here grabbed me by the throat and squeezed just a little bit, mmhmm just a little bit, because suddenly we get to see a tad more about this bandito who has appeared a few times now. Most noticeably when the group went through the portal and he followed. So yeah this is exactly what we want to see and it pretty much changes everything! Just how you wonder, eh pick up the book and ya know what read the story because dayum.

     So the way that this is structured is utterly amazing. I love Ron and the way the man writes, he really has this grasp of being able to write any genre he chooses and it’s always interesting, thought provoking and nothing at all what you are going to expect. That being said the mix of genre’s here already has me terribly excited for what is still to come. I mean after all a Western with dinosaurs and glowing portals to another place/time yeah that’s mixing alright. Still it does ring true to the whole very first appearances of the character and I have to give major props for that. Ron has found the perfect way to keep this modern and now while still feeling amazingly like it had in the beginning.

     Sarah Nathaniel is very much a breath of fresh air. That we learn about her and how she came to this place is interesting and how it ties into what this group did in issue one well all I have to say about is this is why Ron has a brilliant mind. Also a year she’s been here as she’s marking time and in that time it’s not like she’s been able to find new clothing and with the Soldiers and their ways her seeming immodesty should have some interesting moments ahead.

     Roberto is such a revelation here. While he has been around for a bit and he’s always done some great work this, this is something else altogether. I mean the way we see the linework here is extraordinary and how he uses the varying weights to fine tune it into this stellar attention to detail makes me weep with joy. From eyelashes to facial hair to the walls of the cave everything we see has this effect on how we see the characters and this world. Plus the dinosaurs and the Neanderthals show off this superb creativity and imagination. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels demonstrated a stupendous eye for storytelling. The colour work here is also incredibly well done. I love the way we see the shading and shadows from the utilisation of light sources. There is some nice bit of colour gradation going on as well and seeing different shades of blue in the Captains uniform is perfectly done.
​

     I love this book. As a fan of the old Westerns and the idea of Turok the Dinosaur Hunter from it’s inception I can’t get enough of this already. The writing with it’s story & plot development, pacing and the characterisation (holy amazeballs Batman) alongside the interior artwork here and I am telling you (I’m not living without you) this quality and level of storytelling is far and away above the standard we are used to seeing. ​

0 Comments

Zodiac #3

4/30/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Zodiac #3
Zenescope Entertainment 2019
Written by Joe Brusha
Illustrated by Daniel Maine
Coloured by Jorge Cortes
Lettered by Taylor Esposito of Ghost Glyph Studios


     PART 3 OF 3
     As the War of the Grail wages, Merlin the Magician looks to give himself an advantage by using his deadliest assassin of all time to eliminate his biggest threats in the Order of Tarot. Logan Patrick O’Connell spent his adult life ridding the streets of drugs using his own deadly methods until a mistake drove him from his home in Belfast, Ireland. Once O’Connell met Merlin, his life was forever changed and he began on the path to vengeance. Thus, Zodiac was born.

     This was the issue we were expecting, the one where Logan makes his decision once and for all. Though to be honest I think we all knew what that decision was going to be already. Still when he meets “the Devil” I think that really cemented things for him. For me it’s a stark contrast of the double standard in Zenescope’s books. Her with her barely there look ensuring that she’s basically wearing a thong and his head to toe armour. I really am not a fan of the scared of the male body insecure boy feelings. You’d also at least think her henchmen would be barely there dressed since she is hmm.

     I like the motivation behind Logan’s decision—I keep wanting to call him Colin as a nice Irish ginger—to destroy the warehouse and I am equally a fan of seeing that certain something that would and did prevent him from fighting back. Of course any rational person would have to know that magic can create that but the essence should’ve been long gone by now, moved onto some other plane. Still it was rather effective.

     This is when things kind of go all over the place for me. We spend a lot of time in his mind here, in a hell of his own creation as some sort of atonement for what he’s done or just a place he feels he deserves. Regardless we spend a lot of time here and I don’t think it was necessary and bam he’s back and somewhere else. I don’t like the jump, the timing feels off to me and let’s face it how the hell did he get there. If we’d seen that bit instead of all that time in his head space it would have made things just a tad more believable and help it make sense.

     The interiors here are nice. There is some very nice attention to detail happening here and the linework has wonderful variation in its weights. The way that we see backgrounds being utilised here is utterly fantastic and whether it’s the artwork on the wall to the containers on the ship or just the scenery of the city it has this great way of adding size and scope to the book as well as expanding the moments. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a good solid eye for storytelling. The colour work is sensational as well. From the gradation in the sky to the work in clothing thanks to light sources the shading and the over all oomph is there.

     This is my biggest problem with Joe’s writing. Logan’s time in his head, being fished out of the river and mended up and then getting back to where he went into the water and we find out hardly any time has passed. Come on the pacing here is horrible there is no way that building is still on fire or that the Devil is dealing with her cop trying to quiet things down and still in the area. Joe loses us at the moment Logan goes into the water and he’s not able to right the ship as it were. God bless his heart for trying but no.
​

      Thankfully we have a lot of questions now to be answered because the actions here. The interior artwork is extremely good and well worth seeing. Logan Colin is an interesting character and he’s got a lot of potential and I hope we see him again in the near future.

0 Comments

Sharkey the Bounty Hunter #3

4/29/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Sharkey the Bounty Hunter #3
Image Comics 2019
Written by Mark Millar
Illustrated by Simone Bianchi
Colour Assists by Simone Peruzzi
Lettered by Peter Doherty


     Sharkey comes face-to-face with the fugitive who’ll bring him his fortune, but gets slammed by the cops before he can bring her in and claim his bounty. Can Sharkey and Extra-Billy come up with an escape plan while Edra flees across the galaxy?

     There are those franchises that don’t need the review of a commoner like myself and this is one of them. However, that being said this has fast become one of my favourite new stories. There is this whole persona that surrounds Sharkey that is irresistible to me and he’s got this macho Christopher Meloni kind of attitude that grabs you and doesn’t let you go. Of course he looks a lot more like Sgt. Slaughter from the G.I. Joe cartoons but that has to be another story in and of itself. We all knew that Extra-Billy was going to be sticking around for a while but we weren’t aware of what the squirt is capable of, until now. Though we are only into the third issue the way that this story keeps unfolding is utterly fantastic.

     Last issue ended with Sharkey finding Edra Deering, who has the highest of bounty’s on her head, which is where we pick up here. This is a prime example of why I hold Mark in such high esteem as a writer, storyteller and having a brilliant mind. Edra is not only feisty, capable and full of surprises but the moment she told him he “just fucked with the wrong Grandmother” I laughed until I pissed myself a little. The whole time he’s chasing her and where they end up once more had me want to laugh until I cried. I really was hoping to see more of those bots though heh. There is a fine line between shock value and taking the piss for it’s own sake and I cannot be sure where this really lands in that.

     This is pretty much balls to the wall fun, pure unadulterated and no filters added. You can see the fun on the page that the boys are having working on this and it has an immediate effect on the reader as such. The transference of fun couldn’t be any more pronounced if the paper was actually acid seeping through your pores taking on a damn good trip.
​

     Oh Simone how have I missed thee? I love his work and his style of illustration and artwork it alone can bring joy to a cloudy day. The attention to detail he creates here and how we see faces, facial expressions, those hands on the first page come to life before your eyes, it’s just not fair. The shading the colour gradation the tones utilised in making this as powerful as it does makes me wanna cry. So does the whole Burt Reynolds moustache he’s sporting not to mention the Smokey and the Bandit sunglasses with the reflective surface that also has this attention to detail in them. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a masters eye for storytelling. Plus the fact that he utilises backgrounds as much as he does just for good measure is astoundingly good stuff.

     With the introduction of new characters, new openings in personality for another and the chase for the largest bounty on record is well under way. Heck we still haven’t met all the players chasing this bounty either this was just the prelude and it looks like there will be an unlimited amount of folks out there for him to still piss off. The story & plot development with this amazing pacing and intense characterisation alongside Simone’s stupendous and stunning interiors this is the kind of storytelling we’ve come to expect.

0 Comments

Crackdown #2

4/29/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Crackdown #2
Dynamite Entertainment 2019
Written & Lettered by Jonathan Goff
Illustrated by Ricardo Jaime
Coloured by Assis Leite
Special Thanks to Jamie Zink


     A team of highly-trained, super-powered Agents were sent on a routine mission. Their task: kick ass and deliver justice to an army of violent gangs! Then the world went dark. And all hell broke loose. Now, without their devastating Skills and advanced Agency tech to aid them in a fight, the Agents must face a city gone mad and a ruthless enemy determined to bring the world to its knees, one city at a time. Chaos reigns as five lone heroes fight to restore order and save lives in this high-octane adventure set in the world of the critically-acclaimed Crackdown video game franchise.

     I was going through my list of books and I almost missed this one. Then I had to think about it and what it was about, now we all know I don’t play video games so it was lost on me a bit but I read the issue and was reminded why I had it on my list to begin with. As much as I enjoyed the introduction to the story last issue I think this one was so much more interesting to me. Which is precisely the way it should be and what Jonathan is doing is building the story so that each should theoretically be better than the last. So if you are a video gamer or not doesn’t matter because once you start reading this you’ll find yourself engrossed in the tale.

     So the way this is structured is very nice to see. There is this really nice ebb & flow to the book between information and revelations and the action sequences. Plus the story & plot development and the pacing here are spectacular. There is something about the idea of what we’re seeing here that just about everyone can grasp and relate to. I want to say more on that but that reveal isn’t one I am willing to spoil at the moment. Regardless I will say that everyone at some point in time is tested in a way that they have to dig deep inside themselves and remember what got them to where they are to begin with and go from there. So yeah I totally think that this is a darn fine reminder that we are who are no matter what.

     Also I am enamoured with this interior artwork here. There is some absolutely stellar linework happening on these pages. We see a strong, steady hand and both bold and subtle lines working in concert to create this attention to detail that works on every level. Also I am going to say that Assis work on the colours wow, that first two-page spread will show you everything you need to understand about why the colours work for me and then some! The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show off this superb eye for storytelling. The way that backgrounds are utilised to enhance the moments and bring us that sense of size and scope of the city are extremely well done.
​

     While I have not one clue if any of these characters are in the game nor do I know how much characterisation they get but this collective group is being fleshed out beautifully. Not only them either, as we see peripherally some local police and civilians getting a chance to shine as well and all the people we hear and take the stage get the same kind of treatment as the stars of the book. I am totally and happily impressed by what we are getting here and how the story keeps progressing. This is what happens and what is capable when you take a known gaming franchise and have talented folks take it to the next level.

0 Comments

Honor and Curse #2

4/29/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Honor and Curse #2
Mad Cave Studios 2019
Written by Mark London
Illustrated by Nicolas Salamanca
Coloured by Tekino
Logo & Lettered by Miguel Zapata


     Previously…
     Orphaned as a young boy, Genshi Sakagura was adopted by the Iga Clan after witnessing the murder of his parents. Now, Genshi is a promising young Shinobi with dreams of marrying Lord Haruki’s beautiful daughter, Akemi, and leading the Iga Clan warriors into battle.
     However, Genshi is plagued by a spirit that haunts his dreams and blurs the lines between dreams and reality around him, a secret known only by those closest to him. That all changed when Lord Haruki witnessed Genshi lose control during a training session. Now, Lord Haruki wants nothing more than Genshi dead – all for the good of the village….

     Genshi’s pendant still holds the key and I am adamant about that though why isn’t yet clear to me. We’ll get there if I know Mark so I will wait, impatiently but still, because in the meantime it is time for Genshi to realise his passenger isn’t just a part of his dreams and that he’s been betrayed by all those he holds dear. Well okay so not Akemi or his best friend and roommate Takeshi but that will come into play I am sure. There is something about this that isn’t just true for these folks in this culture but it’s more a universal truth. A leader who is frightened by someone who has the capability to take away everything he’s built.

     My big question is why, what is Lord Haruki hiding that he doesn’t want anyone to know so that Genshi is such a huge threat to him? You’d think a man like Haruki would want to cultivate Genshi and turn him into his own instrument instead of having him killed. So many questions swirling around in my brain and this is something Mark does exceptionally well, engaging the reader to the point where they go beyond what’s on the page and seek answers within their own minds based off of what they are seeing. It is a heck of a thing to be able to do on such a consistent basis just goes to show that Mark was ready to be taken seriously as a writer.

     I am loving the interiors here as well. The sense of movement that is achieved in these pages is something so many books can’t achieve and to get to feel it here is amazing. Also the linework is simply exquisite in how it brings out the attention to detail here. The little touches like stray hairs during practice to the way the muscles become taut or loosened are things that many won’t notice or take for granted but they are the elements that make this stand out more. Also there is a tenderness in Genshi and Akemi’s actions and that too could have turned towards the vulgar but didn’t. p.s. that moon oh my god. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show us a great eye for storytelling. I am enjoying the colour work here as well. There is some excellent shading though we could do with a bit more colour gradation instead of dark and light hues in some colours.

     The story is under way and it’s not wasting any time at all. While nothing feels rushed, left out or glossed over that is because of how the pacing is being done. That along with the books structuring allow for Mark to be able to tell the story with those little jumps from scene to scene that still make the story feel complete. I like how I see the title of the book tying into Genshi himself and few others because while under the impression that honour was a huge deal the backstabbing, underhanded way Lord Haruki is trying to remove him well that’s gonna bite him in the arse just wait and see.
​

     Mad Cave is small but mighty. Instead of trying to make big pushes they are putting out high quality books so that they can stand with their heads held high. Also you really need to be making sure your store knows about these as well.

0 Comments

Amber Blake #2

4/29/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Amber Blake #2
IDW Publishing 2019
Written by Jade Lagardere
Illustrated by Butch Guice
Lettered by Christa Miesner & Robbie Robbins


     Amber Blake is a top recruit at a covert agency dead-set on ending human slavery in all of its forms—and eliminating the criminals behind it. Now she and her partner Matt are deployed on their first mission—the sabotage of a sex trafficking ring run by the yakuza in Japan—but they might not be prepared for the monsters they’ll have to face.

     I really enjoyed the first issue of this, a lot more than I had anticipated I might add, so I had high hopes coming into this one. I get the whole revenge thing for Amber I mean she was orphaned, abused and watched her closest friend in the world die. That is going to mess your head big-time and that she’s been able to hold it together this long is quite the accomplishment in my eyes. Still the characterisation that Jade brings to her is like a kaleidoscope, she is obsessed and that will lead to mistakes and misjudgements on her part and if she’s not careful it could destroy her.

     She may be at Argon as a real agent now, along with Matt, and using their equipment and technology for her own purposes, or is she, but that doesn’t mean missions don’t come first. Let’s talk about Matt for a minute shall we, sure why not. He tried to get into her good graces at Cleverland and followed her to Argon seemingly like any love-sick puppy would do. But what do we really know about his background? I like how it is broached here and that it either traumatised him so much he refuses to revisit it or and this is the big one, or he was never really abused at all. Though I am thinking Stockholm Syndrome in his case and if dabbles in sex with well both genders? Amber’s life is clearly laid out for us, his isn’t and that’s like getting a piece of shredded wheat under your dentures.

     So their first mission together, odd that two such newer agents would be teamed up, and the technology that they have is what actually steals the scene. Sure they want to get to this guy, discredit him and rob him blind making him look like he’s incompetent in front of the Japanese Clans but as these things tend to go with newer agents it all went tits up. Surprising? Not really but then again I am incredibly impressed with the way Jade is not only structuring the book but throwing out things cause the reader to use their mind and become engaged in the story.

     Butch sigh I love his work, his linework is simply stunning to see and his attention to detail is as flawless as always. The way he can bring these characters to life, make them so incredibly lifelike including subtle facial features and expressions that make them uber sexy, yes I am definitely including Matt in this, not to mention full of emotion. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show his seasoned and sensational eye for storytelling. The way that backgrounds are utilised also show us that he understands how they need to be used so they expand the moments and bring a size and scope to their world. The colour work is great as well and the light sources, shading and use of darkness and light (daytime) make things that much more interesting.
​

     Everything that I see in these pages is so incredibly well done. From concept to the execution of the story & plot development, pacing and characterisation through Butch’s –let’s face facts—award winning worthy interiors this is exciting, fresh and bold in how we see the main characters life playing out before us.  ​

0 Comments

Dark Red #2

4/29/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dark Red #2
Aftershock Comics 2019
Created & Written by Tim Seeley
Created & Illustrated by Corin Howell
Coloured by Mark Englert
Lettered by Marshall Dillon


     Rural vampire Chip is dragged from his boring life as a late night convenience store clerk and into a monstrous conspiracy, as he protects the ravishing vampiress Kamille from the Order of Eventide.
     Can Chip be the hero he always saw himself as?

     Last issues introduction to the book was sensational as we got a good look at Chip and his current situation. One of the things I think I like is that I don’t really know how old he is and his past experiences so already Tim manages to create a buzz and intrigue in this that drives you to want to see more. Plus with his relationship with Evie well that has a whole different meaning to his life and existence. Can she be what Chip needs to realise his own wants and needs or will she be the distraction that gets him killed, again.

     Tim is awesome and is idea for this and the way he’s going about it already sets it apart from any other Vampire story around. This is far from Bram Stoker as is as far from Anne Rice you can get and I think it has more of that soap opera feel to it that puts the Vampire Diaries to shame. That Chip and his territory is being invaded by other vampires has him scurrying to leave town, and according to everything we see and learn you’d think he’d want to stand his ground instead of being cowardly. So now Tim has me all involved in what may or may not be running through Chip’s head and essentially has ensured that I will be back time and again. Engaging the readers’ mind in this way is part of what makes his writing so good.

     The way that this is structured is great! From the opening which picks up from the end of last issue to the last page where we see a damn good cliffhanger ending this is filled with moments that make the reader wonder. The characterisation here is really rather exceptional as well and while I would imagine it not being too hard to bring some middle American rednecks to life, making them believable and likeable well that’s something else altogether and I can’t believe a part of me actually likes these two meshuganas.

     I am rather enjoying Corin’s interiors here and seeing her grow and evolve into a much stronger, surer illustrator is a thing of beauty. I mean I am in love with how we see the linework here and how all these soft, stead small lines are being utilised to show this attention to detail is really stunning. Anything from the carseat to the fangs on a vamp to the star of david everything we see has this confidence to it. I will say we need more backgrounds, those panels in the bar had too many open backgrounds and that’s shame considering what could have been after seeing it initially, also inside the gas station as well because there really is a lot of missed opportunities after we see them established. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a delightfully solid eye for storytelling.

     The colour work here is just as stunning. I mean Kamille and her skin tone and her hair make her feel romantic and ethereal and it just stands out perfectly. The way we see light sources utilised in the shading and the shadows is superb. I’d like to see more colour gradation but the shading isn’t hurt by not having it. I appreciate seeing Chip in the dark and then in the light and how that affects the way we perceive his hair colour, it’s very well done.
​

     It really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that Tim’s story and Corin’s artwork are conspiring to make that new vampire epic we’ve all been waiting for. Nor should it surprise anyone that it’s coming out of Aftershock. Good Grief Charlie Brown I’m exhausted just reading this but the adrenaline pumping for what’s next phew yeah, sends shivers down my spine.

0 Comments

Adam Green's Hatchet Vengeance #2

4/28/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Adam Green’s Hatchet Vengeance #2
American Mythology Productions 2019
Written by James Kuhoric
Illustrated by Puis Calzada
Coloured by Emmanuel Ordaz Torres
Lettered by Natalie Jane


     Voodoo vengeance created Victor Crowley and it may destroy him too! When a drug lord engages the power of a voodoo priestess for revenge, something ancient and terrible rises from the swamp to kill Crowley and everything in its wake. It's a clash of swamp titans and anything in their path is fair game for the wanton slaughter to follow.

     This has to be one of my favourite franchises that comes out of American Mythology. Believe me there are plenty too but somehow this one with it’s campy and series take all at the same time. While in the vein of many a slasher franchise I personally enjoy seeing the many different ways that James has to come up with to kill people. While it’s silly and out there it also has a certain edge to it where people actually believe they can beat whatever it is that’s happening to them.

      I think the way that this is structured is extremely well done. Lonzo’s got that female detective on his ass, his sister on her way to save him and his dad going to levels that surprise himself considering the station he holds himself at. For intents and purposes if you remove the Crowley angle then you’ve got and don’t take this the wrong way a legitimate story of love, vengeance and the criminal underworld. Add into it the whole supernatural aspects of Crowley and the voodoo priestess that we meet and well New Orleans takes on a whole different aspect.

     So few horror franchises can successfully make the leap into comics, Hellraiser did it beautifully, and it takes a skilled mind and hand to find that balance which allows the series to really come to life and be taken seriously and have a blast with the improbability of it all. James is pretty brilliant when it comes to this however and the fact that I am enjoying this as much as I am should come as no surprise. I do like the complexity of the storylines that occur here and how each of them intertwine and meet up in ways that no one is truly prepared for. I mean really now Lonzo’s sister doesn’t know, believe or have any real clue what she’s getting into while Papa is off to the Sorciere Marecageuse and as a true gangster lets his daughter go off to slaughter.

     Puis does some excellent work on the interiors here. The people we see are incredibly well done and I love the linework that’s being utilised to do so. It really is so nice and crisp and clean and shows a strong hand that’s capable of creating this attention to detail. I do wish Crowley were a tad more creepy and the new monster a heck of a lot more scary. There is a lot of violence and death in these pages and yet the gore is kept to a low level which is appreciated by myself. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show off a very good, solid eye for storytelling. Heck even how backgrounds are being utilised here makes me happy.
​

     American Mythology is like the little engine that could. They have some wonderfully solidly well conceived and executed books. This being among them. When you want books that can make you cringe, a little fearful and happy all at the same time we’ll you’ve pretty much found a lost city of gold or this series. Either way why not make yourself happy and enjoy this?!? Make sure your local shop orders these because you know what it’s time to break away from the machine and enjoy comics again.

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.