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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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Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer #1

6/27/2018

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Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer #1
Hard Case Crime/Titan Comics 2018
Story by Mickey Spillane & Max Allan Collins
Written by Max Allan Collings
Illustrated by Marcelo Salaza & Marcio Freire
Lettered by Tom Williams


     An all-new Mike Hammer story, developed from a never-before-seen 1950s screenplay by original creator Mickey Spillane, and written by Max Allan Collins. When a chance encounter with a captivating femme fatale leads to a violent mob retaliation, hard-boiled Detective Mike Hammer finds himself dodging both bullets and broads as he undertakes the most dangerous case of his career.

      I am so very impressed by everything I have read that’s come out of Hard Case Crime. I feel like a kid whose folks introduced him to these characters and the world of Pulp stories on cassette tapes while driving long distance. That this is allegedly (no reason to disbelieve but…) a never-before-seen screenplay from the 50’s that Max has been able to work into a comic book arc means that the essence of what makes Mike Hammer is in these pages and Max gets to play in Mickey’s sandbox for a bit. I doubt there are dream come true scenarios that come close to being lived out.

     The way that this is structured is positively gorgeous. The opening or at least the first five pages are wordless it’s an action style sequence and I have to say that the artwork sells this beautifully. It made me want to see and know more and that’s what it’s job really is. I like that the end of the case from the opening is something we see already in progress and it’s ending is somewhat relevant to the main story here. I am also very appreciative of the way that the characterisation is being done, there is not a lot of pontificating over feelings here and Mike is a man’s man through and through. Well at least as a man used to be envisioned.

     There is another thing about this story that I find absolutely within character for the time period and that’s all his troubles revolve around dames. From his clients to his secretary Mike Hammer and his infamous trench-coat not only gets into and of trouble thanks to these dangerously beautiful creatures but it seems that every damn time he steps out of the office there’s a price on his head and everyone’s gunning for him. This has all the old tropes going for it that will offend some and remind others of how things in the past used to be.

     I love the interior artwork here. Not only does it have that whole vibe and feel of the old pulp classics but it has this incredibly painted feel to it. The way the colouring is shaded and the gradation on walls and well anything else is so well done that it really helps this cross the line from current to vintage and it really does sell the story. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a spectacular eye for storytelling. Every panel that showcases the work in the backgrounds really does wonders in expanding the story, the moment and the mood of what we see.
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     Just the fact that Hard Case Crime has decided to bring series like this to life fills me with joy. Not only are we exposing younger readers to the past but reminding older readers of their youth and what drove them to be reading and comics in particular. This is just another stellar reminder that novels, feature films, pulp publications are what created comics in the first place and how they important they remain for the future.

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Charlie's Angels #01

6/27/2018

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Charlie’s Angels #01
Dynamite Entertainment 2018
Written by John Lyman (the Flirty Angel)
Illustrated by Joe Eisma (the Brainy Angel)
Coloured by Celeste Woods (the Tough Angel)
Lettered by Taylor Esposito (the Second-Season Replacement Angel)


     The Angels are back, baby! —The original Angels, Jill, Kelly and Sabrina! Travel back to the swingin’ 70s, and revisit the butt-kicking, crime-fighting, mold-breaking lady detectives who took 70s TV by storm, ready to do the same to comics 40 years later! Break out your bell-bottoms, feather your hair, and jump back to an era of peanut-farmer presidents, gargantuan gas-guzzlers and foxy female detectives… for a globe-trotting adventure that’s simply too big and epic for the 70s-era boob tube.

     I loved every gosh darn minute of this issue totally and completely. Just the fact that this starts off with the original cast of characters from the show I grew up with brings me untold joy. While the new feature films were nice and all they weren’t the same and left me feeling like the essence of what it was about was lost. So it is clearly evident that John was a fan of the series and the characterisation he provides is proof positive of that.

     The way that this book is structured is spectacular. The opening catches the eye like the show would have and then the credits roll as we go back to the beginning and see how the case started. The ebb & flow of the story is familiar, comforting and totally what you expect it to be. The Angels go out on a case for a client and turns into something much larger than anyone expected not exactly the hour long program but hey this is comics and no one said they had to do one and done issues. I love multiple issues stories more so when arcs bleed into one another.

     I do like that we are keeping in tradition and not showing Charlie’s face. The back of his head is okay and the fact that I will always hear John Forsythe’s voice when I read his dialogue is music to my ears. Then there’s Bosley and we know that he’s there just for show and a behind the scenes guy who makes sure that everyone’s paid and that if there are any legal questions arise that kind of stuff. So that he is actively involved in the case is somewhat surprising but okay he’s still the stuffy suit who tries to call the shots, gets overruled and ends up letting things play out like they should.

     Alright for Joe because while I can still his signature style here he’s evolved what he’s bringing to the table and doing some really fine work. I mean we know who the players are based on hair styles and gender so it’s no biggie that they don’t look dead on their real life counterparts. I like the linework that we see here and it amazes me that he finds such inventive ways of keeping the backgrounds at bay. I do like the 70’s outfits and hope he’s using like an old Sears catalogue to see how accurate he’s getting them. I love how the page layouts are being utilised and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off how well his eye for storytelling has gotten so good!
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     This is perfect and I am not ashamed to say that. There are a few tongue in cheek moments about what’s happening in the world today thrown into the mix if you pay attention. The pacing and the way we see the revelations here is marvellous as is the characterisation level throughout. Dynamite is fantastic at taking these franchises and bringing them to life in comic book form, the Bionic duo for example. This is why I love Dynamite and I keep religiously supporting their work because they have this finger on the pulse of what we need right now.

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Doctor Strange #2

6/26/2018

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Doctor Strange #2
Marvel Comics 2018
Written by Mark Waid
Illustrated by Jesus Saiz
Lettered by VC’s Cory Petit


     IN SPACE, EVEN THE HOARY HOSTS OF HOGGOTH CAN’T HEAR YOU SCREAM…Stephen Strange is a little out of his element traveling the galaxy – and it shows! Powerless, friendless and far from home, Doctor Strange is just an Earthling who needs to convince a stranger that he’s worth saving. Meanwhile, a hostile civilization discovers Earth’s existence, and a new adversary to his wanton, unpaid spell-casting.

     As I said when I reviewed issue #1 I have some trepidation when it came to putting Stephen into space. Dag freakin nabbit I no longer have any trepidation about as every last darn thing we see here is precisely what it needs to be to get me to back unconditionally. I think this just reaffirms my belief that Mark is some kind of mad genius and there is nothing you can think of that the man simply cannot write and write it extremely well.

     While the way this is structured is exceptionally well done the fact that I am already seeing why this is going to be as good as hyped well that is just icing on the cake. Sometimes I think all of us forget to see the forest through the trees and while we might question an avenue a writer decides to take we should never condemn it or let it rankle you too much after its just a story. The method to the madness is coming along nicely and while I was excited last issue to see this team on the book after reading this I am that much more excited now moving forward.

     A man’s journey through self-discovery isn’t easy at the best of times but to be the Sorcerer Supreme it is just that much more difficult. The time he is spending as a guest of the Gryndians is taking him back to basics where he can not afford to take anything for granted. Going over his studies again and trying to work out the problems at hand logically without the aid of his magic's. It is humbling to say the least well that is my impression of the situation. Though the introduction of Kanna who knows an Earthbilly well suddenly Stephen isn’t as alone as he thought. Though I cannot wait to see who she knows since space is a vast place and Earth has so many exploring it.

     I do really like the work that Jesus is doing here. The linework is extraordinarily good and I really appreciate the attention to detail that he brings to this. There is a great sense of style and creativity going on in these pages and those filled with backgrounds that really capture the attention and imagination of the reader. The way that page layouts are utilised and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such a magnificent eye for storytelling. The designs that we see here are integrated nicely so that they seem both familiar and yet alien at the same time.
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     I like how this just flows through the pages. It has a very nice pacing to it and the information and characterisation that we see here is doled out wonderfully. I like seeing the man I knew, the man he is and the man he could become, including the potential for him becoming this obsessed maniac with an addiction to magic. The potential here is seriously unlimited and the fact that they can take Stephen in myriad of directions for me personally is exciting. Gone are the creature comforts of home that he can manipulate the odds in his favour no this is new, this is fresh and this is exciting.

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Witchfinder in The Gates of Heaven #2

6/25/2018

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Witchfinder in The Gates of Heaven
Dark Horse Comics 2018
Written by Mike Mignola & Chris Roberson
Illustrated by D’Israeli
Coloured by Michelle Madsen
Lettered by Clem Robins


     Edward Grey starts to run out of leads when a familiar enemy tries to throttle his investigation. Meanwhile, the stakes only get higher as a ghostly thief continues to terrorize London.

     This is one of those infectious series that once you start it you find yourself eagerly awaiting it’s return. Edward is one of the greatest characters around and to keep seeing act like Sherlock but be regarded as Inspector Clouseau it’s just something I personally find interesting. He’s more than competent and is knighted by the Queen for his service to the crown, though that doesn’t mean everyone is one of his fans. Not to mention that pesky order keeps asking him to join their ranks, which would in theory stop him from harassing them, again in theory.

     I gotta say that I loved the opening for this issue. Colonel Burke has a little mishap where he finds an object that well changes forever how we see this world. It is also the beginning of the Foundry which is of some note. It is here we see the birth of the steam engine and the plethora of uses that can entail. It is like some sort of steampunk lover’s delight to see all these crafts in one place to be used as only their imagination is limited to. Brief history lesson ins included in this because it’s important for the reader to understand the context of what these crotchety old men are doing at the Foundry.

     I think when you put Mike & Chris together on a story you are going to get some of the overall best storytelling you can possibly imagine. From the way that this is structured to the way we see the pacing of the story, it’s development and the all so important characterisation are featured so prominently and intertwined to perfection so every last darn thing that we see is precisely what we are supposed to be seeing. It’s like going to your favourite restaurant and ordering that dish that you get every time your there because you know how utterly amazing it’s going to be.

     So we finally get to why Edward was called here and then of course it would seem that Major Singh should accompany him even though the Queen vouches for him. Yeah that’s the whole seen differently than he is part that I love seeing thrown in his face. Every cocky arrogant person who thinks they are the end all be all in their field they deserve it. I will say however that things didn’t go as Edward was thinking they would and honestly I was shocked by the events which unfolded as well! I adore when that happens as it tends to throw the reader for a loop in all the right ways.

     I will praise D’Israeli for his story, and what he brings tot he book. Michelle’s colours are very well suited to the work and the palate that we see chosen for the overall look, tone and feel is remarkably well done. When we see the attention to detail and time spent on the backgrounds I want to see them everywhere we look there really something special seeing the world fleshed out like this steam engine run machines. Plus the way that page layouts are utilised and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such a great eye for storytelling.
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     I like that insofar we get to see a mystery that needs solving, the introduction of a few characters that shocking, creepy and unsettling to say the least but all play their part to perfection. It’s not a matter of who, not really, its more of a why and a how and I look forward to these fine folks as they bring us this adventure.

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Taarna #2

6/25/2018

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Taarna #2
Heavy Metal Comics 2018
Written by Alex De Campi
Illustrated by Esau & Isaac Escorza
Coloured by Carlos Cabrera
Lettered by Adam Wollet


     After being severely wounded in battle, Taarna discovers that she's been enlisted into the wrong army. The silent heroine is labelled a spy and must fight the forces of the Sky-God to escape with her life.

     I have no real clue as to why I am so enamoured with this story I mean Alex does some of the best writing I’ve seen her do and the interiors are stunningly gorgeous which alone would normally be enough. But sometimes we see something that the “It” factor to it that is not explainable it just is and this is one those things that has that X factor.

     The opening here picks up where we left off last issue. The base is being attacked and her concern for friend causes her to hesitate in battle. Besides she has a sword and they are flying upon beasts shooting guns. There really isn’t that much she would be able to do against such forces. Still it is war and when one who is recruited to be cannon fodder doesn’t die or perform their duties satisfactory then well they get in trouble right. Only Taarna is mute she doesn’t speak but as a woman from Dogtown she certainly knows how to fight.

     First I love that Alex is writing such a strong female lead character who doesn’t speak. She’s able to be expressive and powerful without having to say a word and that’s because of the collaboration between Alex and the Escorza’s (?). I don’t know if they do talk or what but it really is a great symbiotic relationship. So this is just me saying that the characterisation here is quite exceptional and as we also get to see those around reacting to her lack of communication being taken in different ways well the whole comes across in such a spectacular fashion.

     Now I know this is riff on some French strip and it’s become it’s own thing here but for me this fuses the bast aspects of Dune and Barbarella which totally explains the technology and the way this world looks. Sure throw in some Strikeforce Morituri in how the soldiers are treated and this feels fresh as it finds a new audience. I feel we are witness the new telling of a classic that isn’t being updated to make it current but told as it was intended to be. It has that quality to it and it is something that is completely and utterly delightful.

     I am in love with the interiors here. The Escorza’s and Carlos put out some of the most strong yet delicate work I have seen in a very long time. The attention to details is astonishing and the manipulation of the varying weights in the linework to create those subtle moments balanced out the bolder ones immediately capture the eye. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows of a super strong eye for storytelling. I love the way backgrounds are utilised to give the reader a better understanding of the surroundings and expanding the story.
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     Well after Taarna wakes up and is sent to the new palace and this is when things become really interesting. I love the way this book flows and how Alex has managed to structure the whole thing. The pacing is superb and that I feel like we get to know her extremely well we are still only scratching the surface of the woman that she is. Also this gives us a chance to see more about the cut of the Sky-God and how delusional it’s leader is. It’s fabulous, creepy and delightfully told this is why Heavy Metal needs to be recognised and celebrated more! 

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Fraggle Rock #2

6/23/2018

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Fraggle Rock #2
Archaia 2018
Written & Illustrated by Jay Fosgitt
Coloured by Joana LaFuente
Lettered by Mike Fiorentino


     When a gang of bullies cause trouble in Fraggle Rock, Gobo and friends will need to find a way to teach these Fraggles the values of kindness and community.

     I love Fraggle Rock and the fact that each issue in this series is going to be told by a different creator telling tales of a series they can either relate to or love is simply wonderful. This is the epitome of what an all-ages book is, it’s something that kids will love and adults who grew up with will find it takes them back to those days where they were more innocent. There is also the matter that everyone who reads this will be touched in one way or another because the lessons that we learn from this is undeniable.

     This time around there’s going to be a party “The Splish Splash Friend Bash” and it’s going to be their best one yet! Then again these are Fraggles and it’s safe to say that they think this of all their party’s. There used to be a time where there were these half hour programmes on the television that showed how to get into trouble and work your way out of it by relying upon your friends and family. We don’t see that any more that’s kind of disappointing and something you don’t notice right away until a series like this hits stands. Now it’s all “reality” television, which is scripted or rigged or just plain nonsense so we are fed mindless entertainment instead of getting programmes that teach people how to be better than they were or how to cope with and solve their problems without resorting to name calling or lawyers.

     This issue has a very important appearance by one the more beloved characters in Uncle Travelling Matt! He’s outside in “our” world and sends postcards to his nephew Gobo. His were great little stories always a story within a story and honestly it gave the kids something to aspire to or just to centre around and emulate. I love his experience this issue and what Jay does with it is spectacular. It really is nice to see that Jay has not only the right understanding on how to create a story but also to use it to structure it and make if flow but he’s having fun with it too.

     Jay’s take on the Fraggle’s in his own unique style is wonderful to see. They remain cute and still individual and the different variations of new characters and the way the caves look it really has the appeal for the younger generation to that aww insert characters name here. The creativity and imagination on display here is so much fun to see it is hard not to be happy. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a delightful eye for storytelling.

     There are certain franchises that mean more than others that is an undeniable fact and some of those stay with us regardless of how old we get. This is also one that we want to pass on from generation to generation as we want our children, nieces or nephews and those around us to really love the same things we did. Also it doesn’t hurt to sneak a lesson in here and here as well. Trust me we all know some of the Fraggle Rock theme song and if you went up to anyone on the street and said Fraggle Rock I bet they could sing part of it.
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     This is why all-ages comics are important and why they are beloved and need to shared, this franchise just makes us happy and the world needs more joy in it.

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Delta 13 #2

6/23/2018

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Delta 13 #2
IDW Publishing 2018
Written Steve Niles
Illustrated by Nat Jones
Lettered by Tom B. Long


     Who knows what mysteries lie deep in the asteroid belt? When a mysterious, huge, and previously undiscovered asteroid looms over their ship, a small crew of blue-collar workers discovers a terrifying threat unlike anything they’ve ever seen. Now, the crew must escape the asteroid, but even if they do, will they be able to escape each other and anything they bring back with them?

     Is there really anything better than a brand new Steve Niles story as he brings the creepy back into your life? Turns out there is, add Nat Jones and Hello Nurse! It is funny because when I read stories like this, genre, is that we all are guilty of talking to the book (or television or cinema screen) with all the don’t go in there, don’t do this etc. so instead the characters behave the way they do. That is what we love too to see them behaving in their normal fashion which is something Steve can portray extremely well.

     I have no idea why space is one of the best environments to tell a horror story but it fits like chocolate and peanut butter. The way this book is structured is fantastic and after their crawler disappears from view it’s natural that they’d want to retrieve it. Sanders is one who has that common sense that you don’t go chasing something into the unknown when it’s lost. Still she isn’t a captain and will follow his orders voicing her opinion along the way. All of this is the kind of characterisation that makes Steve one of those writers whose stories are able to resonate with readers.

     This is really fast read, I wish comics were longer in the page count so we could get more story per issue, which would allow for the writer to explore a bit more. However even with a fast pace to the story it’s easy to read this through a number of times to see if there’s anything you missed previously. That mostly comes from the interiors here but also from the actions and reactions of the characters. It does also allow you to stop at points in the story and really consider the ramifications of what we are seeing. What the crew sees and then finds as they search for the crawler it makes you wonder. It allows the reader to become a part of the story, be so involved in what’s happening so you have that need to come back.

      God I love the way Nat is able to envision a story and then bring it to the page. It isn’t always the same and that he can kind of gear it to the story and create something suitable for it is why I appreciate what he’s able to do. This book also has a distinction to it where space is dark and the light source only goes so far so you see that transition into darkness so nicely here. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a spectacular eye for storytelling.
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     This is why comics exist. They take to places outside our realm of imagination then bring us into theirs so that our minds expand and are capable of envisioning something new, splendiferous and horrific. Without having these worlds to explore we’d be left that much poorer for it. With some stellar characterisation and a darn plausible plot wrapped up in these gorgeous interiors is why we repeatedly come back to the medium time and time again.

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Highspot #1

6/23/2018

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Highspot #1
Perfect Storm Publishing 2018
By Rob Jones


      Ever since seeing the Cliff Hanger films as a kid, Kate Carter has had two loves: archaeology, and action/adventure films about archaeologists. Torn between the two, she eventually chose to pursue a career in Hollywood as a stunt woman—but she often dreamed about what might have been.

      Sometimes a pdf will sit in my queue for a while and for whatever reason, usually real life, prevents me from getting to it in a more timely fashion. Much as I would love to say this was capable of paying the bills….we all know better. Usually however is someone is overly persistent I may wait even longer but this one was there I kept seeing it and kept hmm what is this and why is it here. So I re-read it and vaguely remembered it and talking to rob on initial thoughts. However I don’t think I did a review so here we are welcome to my first Perfect Storm Publishing review.

     When I was a kid there was a television program called Cliffhangers where every episode ended in one. I loved it though I was eight or nine, though I was eight or nine, everything was beautiful then to my young and eager young mind. So already the premise here is something most of us can relate to, being a kid finding that one thing that passion about something that carries over into adulthood untarnished and unblemished. Granted mine was comic books, even went to Art School to hone my talents and now here I am just writing about them, yet I still love them. Kate is someone we can all relate to and that’s a wonderful place to start.

     There is no real boom for an opening here that one thing you need to stand out and take notice of so it will draw you making you want to continue. So don’t let something like that stop you, mainly because someone’s first attempt isn’t always the best, in their mind it works but honestly the potential here from Rob is amazing. So a quick journey through Kate’s life catches up on everything she’s been able to do and master. There is a part of me that thinks she is overly ambitious and how on Earth can one person do all these things? Still there really much in the way of friends or romance in her life just her pushing herself to some ideal standard she is holding herself to.

     So the interiors here are not bad at all and i’m kind of even more impressed with the book since Rob does all of it. Everything we see is what he wants us to see so it has the impact on the reader that he’s looking to convey. Personally I want to see more backgrounds you can tell when things are just place compared to being used to enhance the story. Still his utilisation of page layouts is nice to see as well as the angles and perspective that show his eye for storytelling which is quite good. For me I think the stand out pages in this issue revolve around Roosevelt and when you get the book you’ll see why.

     Admittedly there are a few things about the story that are suspect in terms what you are willing to do to impress someone, idol or not. So that Kate does this thing that’s well illegal to gain the trust of a man she idolises and wants to work with well it does make you question her moral compass. Enthusiasm and training aside in many ways this is another type of audition.  One that I want to see the results of, trust me you will too and it's this that makes the story more compelling to me.
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     The book is structured nicely and there is a good flow to it. The characters and characterisation are interesting and make you take notice of the people involved. There is an aspect of a secret society, danger and subterfuge that draws you and that’s what makes you want to see what’s going to come next. For a debut issue from someone you’ve never heard of, possibly, this is another example of seeing so much promise, talent and ability that when it coalesces it’s going to a force to be reckoned with and that is something worth watching happen.

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Fathom vol.7 #1

6/22/2018

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Fathom vol.7 #1
Aspen Comics 2018
Written by Ron Marz
Illustrated by Siya Oum
Coloured by Peter Steigerwald & John Starr
Lettered by Zen


    The advancement of The Blue has expanded beneath—and above—the water into every fabric of human society. Aspen, with her immense power of The Elite Blue and complete knowledge of her true family, now finds herself alone as the central figure holding both civilizations’ fates together…

     Well if there’s one thing I have to say is this has remained pretty damn consistent throughout the volumes in terms of characterisation and story advancement. Aspen has been a poster child for strong women of conviction for some time now and it’s nice to see that this continues. Basically she’s the Laura Croft of the oceans and I pity anyone who crosses her in any way shape or form.

     This volume certainly opens up with a bang that’s for sure. I mean that was a pretty intense fight scene and the results of which are going to have far reaching consequences and that’s beyond the mere fact that Finn is Aspen’s brother. What Ron is aptly demonstrates however is that this is what is needed in an opening to grab the readers attention and make them want to see more. It’s the hook, line and sinker that will ensure a reader wants to know and see more. I have to say that I really do think Ron is capable of telling any story of any genre with apparent ease.

     I am a fan of how Ron has structured this book. If you have never read an issue of Fathom before, I am totally shocked, than it’s great jumping on point. There is a new man in town, government issue and complete of the assembly line. We all hate and love government officials especially the U.S. kind as they have this complete sense of everything is there’s and that’s that. The playground bully in full effect the sad part is there isn’t even a question about if what they are doing is right or wrong, as they have the power they automatically right. So boorish and oh so true.

     As the new guy introduces himself to Aspen to brief her on current events, see her brother, and to inform her that he’s her new liaison he makes a few key mistakes. Before that can happen however he gets the background version on Aspen from her mouth until he makes that one mistake above all others. Then if he could have unleashed hell it would’ve been a whole lot nicer. This is what a first issue of volume 7 should be, a great jumping on point for new readers that allows us to get behind her and understand her as a person.

     The interior artwork here is phenomenal. Siya is an amazing artist and illustrator and she’s a delightful person to meet, she did me an Evil Ernie. The grace and beauty she’s able to bring to this is superb and her attention to detail and the way she can manipulate the varying weights of the linework is stunning to me as she creates the most delicate intricacy alongside some strong bold lines. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off her amazing eye for storytelling. While I would like to see more backgrounds what we do get is fantastic in expanding the moment in the story.
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     I like how the issue ends as it explains the opening. It also gives us exactly the how and why of what is going on here. I am certainly left with this sense of impending doom as Aspen has to find her brother before it’s too late in more ways than one. This is why Aspen can still be considered one of the industry’s most influential company’s.  

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Mae vol.2 #1

6/22/2018

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Mae vol.2 #1
Lion Forge Roar 2018
By Gene Ha
Colour Assists by Wes Hartman
Lettered by Zander Cannon


     Mae, Abbie, and Kvido have nearly escaped death countless times, but that won't stop them from taking on the Zemětřasi to rescue their father. When they stumble across Petra Stoneheart, an old friend of Abbie's, Mae starts to learn more about the unfamiliar fantasy world she's followed Abbie through and about the sister she's been separated from for years.

     First I hadn’t realised how much I had missed this till I read this issue. I was lucky enough to meet and talk with Gene about this series at C2E2 and it’s always a joy when you are as passionate about a series as it’s creator is. We talked about the move from Dark Horse to Lion Forge, which had me excited then as it does now, and I found out that Gene is a hell of a nice guy and why it’s so easy to see his personality in his work.

     Good Grief Charlie Brown when you open this and see the first page and how the colours pop and the linework that makes up the characters and shading the trees and the almost out of focus way we see the characters in back that is the moment you know beyond a shadow of a doubt you are in for something extraordinary. It does everything an opening is supposed to do, captures the attention of the reader and leaves that desire to see more.

     Even better is that the entire time we see Mae, Abbie (Ani) and Petra is something you can join and not feel like you’ve missed out because you haven’t read volume 1. New reader friendly is always a bonus and since it did switch companies and it has been a minute it’s also a great catch-up on what’s come before for established fans. This is also where we learn about Ani being Queen, why it happened and why she abdicated, nice way of saying she quit. The way that this book is structured is fantastic as is the pacing and the speed at which information and background is thrown at us.

     The amount and kind of characterisation that we get throughout this encounter redefines the way that I see Abbie that’s for sure and it pretty much makes Mae feel lost. While there may be an unconditional love for her sister they have grown up in much different ways and regardless of family bonds they are strangers. For the first time we see this as not something positive but something that will tear them apart. I think I understand Mae well enough by now but Abbie is a complete mystery and the more we learn the further from understanding her I get. Mind you this is not a bad thing because it essentially means I'll be returning tried and true to find out more.

     I love the interiors here. That everything we see is exactly what is intended to get the maximum impact from the reader is extraordinarily well done. The way page layouts are utilised and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows of this beautiful eye for storytelling. The characters themselves have such individuality to them and the attention to detail that we see through the use of varying weights in the linework are stunning to see. Somehow Gene is able to make this all come across as both charmingly innocent and wise beyond their years all at the same moment. Backgrounds are what they are but seeing them used as effectively as we do makes me wish we’d see more.
​

     The character development and the way the story progresses all make this something is beautiful for an all-ages audience. While it doesn’t surprise me Abbie has had girlfriends it is usually the go to in comics to use women in same-sex relationships. Be nice once in a while to see it be men. Anyway this is one of those utterly charming, sincere and dastardly deceptive books you’ll read and have an absolute great time doing it.

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