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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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Category Zero #2

6/30/2019

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Category Zero #2
Scout Comics 2019
Written & Lettered by Adem Kiamil
Illustrated by Ton Lima
Coloured by Derek Dow


     After a supposed terrorist attack by a One Percenter, those that have the specific gene required to activate the airborne virus that has infected the Earth's entire population, on the city's largest bank, the government gives Sanaxus the green light to test everyone for the One Percent Gene. They start in rural areas and Neve's school is among the first to be tested!

     I love how the guy in the bank couldn’t control his powers and they went off whether he wanted them to or not. So naturally in order to control what they don’t understand the Government decides to take away a persons rights and put them all in internment camps if they test positive for the gene. Yeah that’s something that is all too real, I mean this a violation of human rights and let’s face it the U.S. Government has a history of violating them, hell we concentration camps for the Japanese and folks like them in WWII and thanks to scaremongering they exist now for those crossing the border from Central and South America. So the rise of a super human is something that scares those who don’t have the power to control it and this response is the response of weak minded and weak willed men who suffer from Napoleon Complexes.

     I got to hand it to Adem for not only the way he’s writing this but for making it seems to real and natural a response to what is happening. While nothing really surprised me this issue the way it is being told through story & plot development, it’s pacing and character development has made me a fan of the work. There are some moments that raise my shackles and that just means I am human and have emotions and feelings. However the flow that is created here just moves silky smooth as actions and reactions are more than enough to expand the characterisation in fantastic waves. Also I like the potential I see when it comes to Neve and his friends as well as the Doc that told him to hang tight. While we can guess at what’s coming we won’t be sure until we see things unfold but if they make to the new internment camp their lives will be in danger.

     I am a huge fan of the interior artwork here. The linework is gorgeous and I love how we see the varying weights utilised to create some marvellous attention to detail. Again the faces and facial expressions betray emotions and feelings in ways that the words alone couldn’t do. The way that we see the composition of the panels and how backgrounds are seemingly essential to the storytelling by expanding the moments and bringing a size and scope to the book. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show as fantastic eye for storytelling. The colour work is beautiful as well. The way light sources are utilised to show shading, colour blocking and even some gradation effects really make a statement. There are times I wish it were utilised more to define facial features instead of linework because I can see moments where that would work perfectly.
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     The book is amazing and thanks to a very interesting and solid premise through the execution of the writing and the interior illustrations we see a new franchise coming to life before our lives. They say youth is wasted on the young but the kids we see here they are going to be the generation that changes this world, I just have that feeling. I feel like we’re going to see them featured as they grow up a lot sooner than expected and have to work together, become a surrogate family and keep the world around them safe. This is the kind of potential I have been waiting for and if I am even remotely right this is the next New Teen Titans.

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Stranger Things: Six #2

6/30/2019

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Stranger Things: Six #2
Dark Horse Comics 2019
Written by Jody Houser
Pencilled by Edgar Salazar
Inked by Keith Champagne
Coloured by Marissa Louise
Lettered by Nate Piekos of Blambot


     The bizarre visions of a future she can’t understand haunt Francine’s waking hours as strongly as the feelings of betrayal from the only person she thought she could trust. What terrible trials does Dr. Brenner have in store for her and the other subjects of Hawkins Laboratory?

     So while I have no idea who Francine is though in my mind she’s the mother of the Six that we know from the show. It would kind of make sense all things considered but unless Jody specifically states that to be true then it’s all conjecture. Still that I am thinking about it and trying to come up with a solution to our Six from this one that doesn’t involve her de-ageing or something along those lines well this is the power that good storytelling has. It engages your mind and sends off racing into different directions that aren’t on the pages themselves. Becoming invested in the book and the story ensuring that you’ll be back time and again as each new issue brings both answers and more questions.

     So we open up with Francine either having a vision or actually being inside the upside down and I'm not exactly sure which. If she’s able to traverse the realms this easily then I am totally scared of her right now! Also from my perspective it looked like one of those creatures knew she was there and either way that’s hella creepy to me and even more so since this doesn’t look like anything we’ve already seen! The opening is utterly fantastic and it really grabs your attention and makes you reminisce of that first time you saw Alien.

     The way that this is structured is absolutely brilliant. The way we learn information and how we see the characters interacting with one another through the story & plot development, the pacing and the character development has an incredible ebb & flow to it. With all that we see this Dr. Brenner is not someone I like at all, the way he spoke to Francine, Six, without ever using names, keeping it clinical let me know he doesn’t care one single bit for these outside what they can for him. In all I find him to be the biggest monster there is and we’ve seen plenty of them.

     Edgar lays down the ground work extremely well here. Then Keith finishes that off with some darn good expertise and the two of them are able to work together to really take the linework and through it’s varying weights create some exquisite attention to detail. Also that we see the creature in nothing but shadow is well played, well played indeed. Also the amount of detail that goes into the backgrounds here is fabulous, and in such a sterile environment that’s a feat I’m happy to support. Also the flashbacks to outdoor moments are just another opportunity that’s taken advantage of. The faces and facial expressions are perfectly done to really give away some further characterisation that words can’t and confirm what we may already be thinking. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a very solid eye for storytelling. The colour work too really is something to see. I love the shading, the colour gradation and how it’s utilised to make something go from innocent to menacing is genius.
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     This book is bloody marvellous to read. It is way creepier than the show is and Francine is not to be underestimated by Dr. Brenner. She’s on the cusp of being an adult woman and she’s no true pushover so the way he talks to her is something that will blow up in his face. God Willing or Jody Willing as the case may be. You don’t have to be a fan or familiar with the show to enjoy this all you have to do is love a good dark thriller!

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Angel #2

6/30/2019

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Angel #2
Boom! Studios 2019
Written by Bryan Edward Hill
Illustrated by Gleb Melnikov
Coloured by Gabriel Cassata & Gleb Melnikov
Lettered by Ed Dukeshire


     Angel, one of the only vampires in the world with a soul, has been walking the streets of Los Angeles for years, neither human nor vampire. After losing his human protege to a Demon, Angel has decided to find a way to finally return himself to a human, so he can escape the guilt of his past, dark actions.

     There is something about this book that I find extremely interesting. Bryan has emerged as one of today’s most underrated and underestimated writer on stands today. The fact that Angel is in desperate need to redeem himself any way he can and somehow working with Lilith is part of the road he is taking. This opens up a whole new world for him to be in and with this issue which is a continuation of the last one. If you need a reminder an old friend of Angels daughter burned their house down with his friend in it.

     If each issue is going to show us a moment from Angel’s past I am all for it. That is something that we really never saw much of before and it helps us paint that picture of his past and those events he is most regretful for. It is a great way to open the book too and I love that we get to see him then and now, he’s always said he was among the most bloodthirsty and nasty of beings and I am finally beginning to see that happening.

     Oh I do so like Lilith and even when she’s angry and we see more of her true form. Here I thought Lilith was the mother of all monsters, guess I was wrong about that. Or it could be that she needs those wayward children gone and can’t do it herself and that’s why she’s using Angel. Interesting to think this way but then Bryan has this habit of making the reader think of what else is happening that we don’t see on the page. To engage readers’ like this is something amazing to be able to do. The way that this is structured and how we see the story & plot development, the pacing and the character development is extraordinarily good.

     Gleb does some absolutely marvellous work on the interiors here. I really am impressed with what I am seeing from him. There is some really nice linework happening here and I like that is shows this really strong and steady hand. The faces and facial expressions are sensational in how they show emotions and feelings that enhance the characterisation. The way backgrounds are being utilised here are phenomenal and the buildings, trees and even the clothing all make this so naturally easy to see and identify. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a stellar eye for storytelling. The composition in these panels really looks so stellar. The colour work too is pretty fabulous. The brightness of Sunnydale, the night moments and even seeing the big bad here they all have their own tone, mood and feel to them that makes them all stand out in various ways.
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     I feel as if there is almost a moral lesson inside the story as well. I might be one of the last of a dying breed who isn’t attached to my phone. I mean I use it to call and text and that’s pretty much it, I don’t have an internet plan on it. Seeing how it is utilised here to demonstrate what mankind is currently like is something that is very real and very easy to see those dark forces take advantage of things like this. What Bryan is doing is utterly fantastic and then Gleb and Gabriel doing what they do Boom! May have finally found a way to go beyond the show and create something more accessible to the general public.

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Stitched: Terror #2

6/30/2019

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Stitched: Terror #2
Avatar Press 2019
Written by Pat Shand
Illustrated by Daniel Gete
Coloured by Juan Rodriguez
Lettered by Kurt Hathaway


     The undead horror returns, and now unleashed in America in double-sized issues! With her partner dead, Sheriff Kat Noble has to face the unkillable creatures on her own! She’s stumbled into the makings of the ultimate terror plot – Stitched loose in the streets of the USA!

     So this issue picks up where the last one left off with Sheriff Kat in the thick of it and having to fight these Stitched and figure out a way to stay alive. I am really impressed with how Pat has structured this book as he inserts the horror element beautifully with the mystery of who they are, what they are doing here and how can they be stopped. It really reads like it’s some kind of horror/thriller you’d see in the theatre. The opening is utterly sensational as Kat finds a way to get through this encounter and I have to say that I like the way her mind works. Pat brings a very nice intelligence to the story and the characters making this so much more than a simple slasher epic.

     I love seeing just how committed and willing Kat is to do whatever she needs to without really thinking twice about it. If you pay attention to her and you see how she handles things, acts and reacts to all that is hitting her like a whirlwind then you see the level of characterisation that has been put into this. It isn’t just Kat either we get to see this level from every character that we meet as well. These women who are terrorists they may be harder to read, personality wise, but over all we understand them through their actions just not a clue what made them this way. That too is something that makes me to keep coming back because I have that crazy desire to know these things.

     On a personal note I understand this Avatar and that the women being naked and seen having sex with one another is great but just once I would like to see men in these situations. In this day and age equality for all and naked men having anal and oral with one another isn’t gonna kill anyone and to see women munching is great as a matter of fact but let’s not stick to a predictable type.

     Speaking of I adore the interior artwork here. Daniel has this stellar eye for storytelling and his linework shows a sure and steady hand. The utilisation of the varying weights to create this level of attention to detail blows my mind. I mean that script she has going up her arm is impeccable to see and then there is the consistency in where we see it. The quality of the work here is bloody brilliant and stupendous to see. Also for your consideration as the backgrounds guy I have to say that there’s a nice use of them here while I would like more of them they are utilised extremely well. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show off this stellar eye for storytelling. The colour work here is exceptional as well. I love how it’s utilised to show off body structure and then there’s the clothing and instead of colour blocking we get some magnificent colour gradation. Plus seeing the blood and it’s shades and shading is beautifully done.
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     With the way that we see the story unfold through it’s story & plot development with this amazing pacing and then the character development is amazingly well done. Then add into the mix the Grimoire and we get more than a simple story we get a complete experience. Avatar never ceases to amaze me with the quality of work they put out. They have been one of my go to companies for a very long time now and I am thrilled to say they still are.

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Monster World: The Golden Age #1 Advance Review

6/30/2019

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Monster World: The Golden Age #1 Advance Review
American Gothic Press 2019
On Sale July 24th 2019
Story by Philip Kim
Written by Holly Interlandi
Illustrated by Piotr Kowalski
Coloured by Dennis Calero
Lettered by Jenn Pham

    Private detective Hank Barrymore stumbled upon the occult when he investigated a murder case on the World Studios movie set. Now, in his quest to find the witch he fell reluctantly in love with, Hank enlists the help of Nybbas, the demon of knowledge, and follows his clues to the plains of Oklahoma, where a strange farm boy is planting fear into the hearts of monsters and townspeople alike!

    I love this world and I make no apologise for that at all. This is a perfect example of a company that doesn’t try to flood the market, they have few offerings and yet every single one they do is of the highest quality all around. I may hate the wait between books and arcs but they really are worth that wait. The opening here is a stellar example of why too as we see New York City in December of 1934 and the city is both beautiful, ugly and magical beyond belief. When Piotr is able to unleash his talent like we see here it is something beyond magnificent and it is art, illustrative art that is gallery show worthy in it’s quality. This is what attracts you straight away and then it’s the writing that seals the deal so you stay and become a fan for life.  

    The way that we see the story start is fantastic what Holly does here is give us a brief history of the world while simultaneously moving the story forward beautifully.  On the plus side, we also get to meet a new character and he’s pretty amazing if you ask me. I am really impressed with how the dialogue and conversation between Hank and Nybbas gives us the perfect among and kind of characterisation that keeps the reader on their toes.  This is smart, full of double entendre and full of don’t make one misstep of there will be, literal, hell to pay kind of discussion. I love that we have to pay attention to what’s being said and we can glean from that as it really does raise the bar on keeping the reader engaged in the story.

    Piotr is one hell of a great artist/illustrator.  His linework is so utterly gorgeous, full of life, zest, pizazz and the kind of attention to detail that makes you want to weep.  The way we see the composition inside the panels and how full they are, featuring the backgrounds and now they manage to expand the moments and bring a size and scope to the book.  There is also a wonderful sense of imagination and creativity within these pages. The feeling that we get from seeing the work here highlights what the characters feel and all the emotions and feelings we get just further the characterisation we see.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show off a masterful eye for storytelling. The colour work is inspired as well since we see a lot of tonal greys and not a lot of actual colour. That being said the pops of colour that we see really make things stand out all that much more and the impact it has on the reader is highly noticeable.  

    For someone who just happened to stumble upon this world he certainly has found a way to embrace it, all grumbling to the contrary aside.  For me it’s very much like Alice going down the rabbit hole and embracing the madness pretending to look for a way home. Embrace the madness that your life has become by exploring, learning and preparing yourself for any and all circumstances.  
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    Y’all need to be giving this a chance and see why it’s among the best franchises out there and why these creators are able to receive such high praise.  Make sure your shop is going to carry this!

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Show's End #1 Advance Review

6/29/2019

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Show’s End #1 Advance Review
Mad Cave Studios 2019
On Sale August 7th 2019
Diamond Code: JUN191829
Written by Anthony Cleveland
Illustrated by Jef Sadzinski
Coloured by Julian Gonzalez
Lettered by Justin Birch


     Equal parts brutal and beautiful, Show’s End takes place in Georgia during the 1920s and follows Loralye, a 12-year-old runaway seeking refuge with a travelling group of freak show performers. At first, she isn’t welcomed for being too “ordinary.” But what her new found family doesn’t know, is that Loralye is hiding a secret more freakish than anyone could ever imagine!

     Not going to lie but when I first saw the cover my immediate thought was oh American Horror Story inspired. If you think about it the Carnival back in the day was the only place where folks with disorders or deformities could congregate and work without judgement although their being “freaks” is what the folks are wanting to see. There are tropes, see universal acts, that we always see in these like the strong man, bearded lady and more so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see at least a few here right right.

     Now this is my introduction to Anthony and his work and I have to say I'm quite impressed with his talent and his skill for storytelling. The way that this story is structured is sensational and the opening is one that captures the readers’ attention straight away and not only encourages the reader to want more but it has that effect where you have the desire or need to know more. There is power within a mother’s love and without that well crazy stuff can happen. Still the folks we are introduced to, one of whom I am fervently hoping is going to be a main villain, really do set this up beautifully.

     There is quite a nice ebb & flow to the book as the story & plot development has some action and intrigue woven through it. The pacing is spot on and this characterisation draws the reader in deeper and deeper till there is no denying you are a part of the story now. As kid I think the circus was still a huge draw and as I got older I noticed it continued to wane to the point where it’s almost a legend of a bygone era. So running away to join the carnival is brought to life perfectly and showcases the attraction of doing just that.

     Jef does some marvellous work on the interiors here. His creativity and imagination in bringing these folks to life is superbly done. The linework that we see and how he utilises their varying weights to bring out this kind of attention to detail is stupendous. The faces, facial expressions and how they convey feelings, emotions and further the characterisation is exceptional. I am a huge fan of how we see the composition in the panels and how backgrounds are utilised to expand the moments and bring us a size and scope to this world. The way page layouts are utilised and how we see the angles and perspective inside the panels show off a very strong eye for storytelling. The colour work that we see is utterly delightful. To see the white tattoo style body on the one guy and the way light sources are utilised to show shading and shadows is great. There is also some very nice colour blocking and gradation effects as well and really does set the tone, mood and feel for the book.
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     Anthony is able to layer the story here and show how townsfolk react to the carnival and how their actions define them while also showing how the carny’s see themselves as a family. There’s a harshness as well and we see hope and longing. This is freakishly good, and Anthony’s freakishly good looking, as the story takes through the range of emotions that you’d never associate with a story such as this. Amazingly well written and illustrated this continues to show why Mad Cave Studios is on the rise and shows no sign of slowing down.

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Psycho List #1 Advance Review

6/29/2019

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Psycho List #1 Advance Review
BlackBox Comics 2019
On Sale August 21st 2019
Written by Kevin Grevioux
Illustrated by Jonathan Lau
Coloured by Adriano Augusto
Lettered by Dezi Sienty


     After a former FBI agent becomes a therapist, he has a hard time staying out of his patients lives, taking on their problems as his own. FBI calls him back in for a special case that requires his unique skill-set.

     I had seen BlackBox being offered somewhere and thought wow that looks interesting so I contacted them and asked if I could work with them. I am so very glad that I did too because this right here is interesting, it’s well done and it has the kind of story and storytelling that should make headlines at comic shops and sites. The opening is interesting and does precisely what it’s supposed to do and that’s grab the readers’ attention making them intrigued as to what this is about and get them to read further.

     I am enjoying the way that this book is structured and how we start off with narration of the main character as we get a clue as to what he does and that leads into that event in his life that led him to where he is currently. Wow you want to talk about some pretty powerful stuff too I mean what we see and what they see is something that should absolutely never happen and it’s heartbreaking, disturbing and not to mention it’s what can cause someone to grow up and become somebody they never wanted to be but history has a way of repeating itself and this this is the kind of stuff that can scar you for life no matter how much you’d want otherwise.

     I am not so sure if there is a better example of irony than what we see when Dr. Priete, Donovan, at his job and learning what it is he does. My god the writing here is so phenomenally good and the way the story unfolds before us with all these layers, twists and turns that Kevin kept me guessing the entire issue as to what was truly going on here. The fact that I was wrong at every turn and how we see things playing out keeps me thinking what the hell is really going on here. So many possibilities and so many different behind the scenes manipulations going on here but the real question is who’s using who?

     Jonathan is an amazing artist and I have loved seeing his work over at Dynamite and it’s nice to see someone else snatch him up to use. His linework is so incredibly delightful and how we manages to utilise the varying weights to create this bloody marvellous attention to detail makes me so very happy. I will say it’s too bad that Donovan was wearing shorts and didn’t have hair on his body, I mean not even a happy trail sigh. Still here’s hoping we’ll see more of him like this because it’s high time rolls were reversed. I love the imagination and creativity that we see here as Jonathan creates the look of the buildings, apartments, offices and outfits. The colour work is just as amazing and to see it used to stretch a shirt so we can see the musculature underneath is spectacular. There are plenty of moments when colour is utilised to not only show a light source but to complete the facial structures and it’s truly impressive to see this. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a stellar eye for storytelling.
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     I always say that you need to branch out and find books that are “off the beaten path” as it were and this is the reason why. The writing is executed strongly and the overall feeling the reader is going to get is sensational. Combine that with the interiors and ya know what you will be telling all your friends about this series because it’s that damn good.

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Soulfire vol. 8 #1

6/29/2019

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Soulfire vol.8 #1
Aspen Comics 2019
Written by J.T. Krul
Pencilled by Raffaele Forte
Inked by Mark Roslan
Coloured by Valentina Taddeo
Lettered by Zen


     Soulfire is back with its biggest story—and greatest challenge to its heroes ever!
     Grace and Malikai have fought together to bring magic back to a world of technology, but now Grace is convinced that there is only room for one all-powerful source of energy. Magic. New battle lines are drawn. New enemies. New Allies. Fighting for the very future of the world itself. Behold The Battle of the Light!

     What is it about volume eight that is making these folks pull out all the stops and bringing the magic back, in this case literally. Everyone is coming back, well Sophia isn’t there...yet. And as old enemies return and new ones emerge we see friends become something else and the power of magic is being seen as it never has before, as a weapon to demonstrate who wields the power and is in control and it certainly isn’t going to be the human race, not after this. So why now? What has happened to shift the balance and will this make enemies turn into allies and friends turn into enemies? Only time will tell.

     I love the way that this story is structured. While he’s setting up the story and where it’s going we get a good look at what’s come before and how that is shaping what’s to come. As Rainier opens up the issue with what he’s doing and Grace has her own thing going on and it’s something that the Queen doesn’t appear to agree with. Already upon starting this story off we’re getting a look at the events that are going to shape the direction the story is heading. We have seen different directions being taken in the past but this already feels different than anything we’ve already experienced.

     J.T. does an amazing, and I do mean amazing, job with how he presents the story & plot development weaving the action and character development through that. The pacing really helps us see how everything we see moves things forward and it creates this ebb & flow through the book that reminds us he truly is a master storyteller. For me this is a perfect platform for him to naturally take the story to that next level and continually surprise and shock us with all the twists and turns.

     Good Golly Miss Molly do I adore the interior artwork here. The linework is gorgeous and the way that Raffaele and Mark manage to make this look so strong, powerful and sexy is absolutely gorgeous stuff. The creativity and imagination that we see is out of the world and the way the varying weights of the linework are utilised to showcase this attention to detail blows me away. The utilisation of the page layout and how we see the panels composed through angles and perspective shows one powerful eye for storytelling. Then there is the colour work here which is beyond stupendous. The way that colour is utilised to create patterns within wings or how in the hair and eye-shadow we see these brilliant pops of white like stars. Holy Shitballs! This pays homage to Turner with how damn successful it is while still remaining theirs, see NOT a carbon copy—trying to be someone else, and by god if this isn’t the most gorgeous work around.

     When Fathom came out I though that embodied the excitement and thrill of seeing it for the first time all over again and was impressed by that. Now that this is on stands it would seem that the whole line of books that we are seeing from them bring that excitement and freshness as if they have single-handedly revived something thought lost and quite possibly made it better than the original. Trust me when I say that this, this is going to make you fall in love with these characters in this world.

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Street Fighter Necro & Effie #1

6/28/2019

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Street Fighter Necro & Effie #1
Udon Entertainment 2019
Written by Ken Siu-Chong
Illustrated by Hanzo Steinback
Lettered by Marshall Dillon


     Meet Necro and Effie, the screws-loose, madly-in-love mutant couple of the Street Fighter universe! On the run from Urien, Kolin, Nash, and the whole Secret Society, this pair of lunatic lovebirds will need to jump through heaps of harrowing hoops to stay alive!

     This is one of the great things about comics. Ken takes this unlikely pairing and gives them their own adventure which makes them absolutely adorable and charming. I have never been quite sure where these two fit into the franchise and I have always thought of them as being on team bad-guy but after this story while they may be out for themselves Ken makes me want to see more. I’d love a four to six issue limited series featuring these two exploring their past and present and possibly what the future holds. After all we also get a fair bit of information about Effie’s possible future already so there’s a perfect basis for a full arc.

     I am not a video game guy and I do remember the big machines in the arcade where you pick who you wanted to be and fight others. Yes I am aware of the crossover games with Marvel and over the year last number of years I have been reading the adventures that Udon has been putting out. I love the franchise nowadays because they have become characters and people who lead interesting lives and occasionally fight. Of course fight scenes are the bread and butter right in video games and in comics as the confrontations help us define who we end liking and rooting for.

     The way that this is structured is extremely well done. Ken takes us on a journey, one that starts and finishes almost as ambiguously as it begins. I do also like that the events of this issue stem out of the Darkstalkers mini-series yet you don’t need to have read that to know what’s happening within these pages. This one-shot is completely new reader friendly and it’s kind of a great gateway fr someone to join the comics franchise without worrying about feeling lost. The way we see the story & plot development work with the pacing to create this beautiful ebb & flow showcases Ken’s extraordinary skill, talent and ability to write.

     The interior artwork here is pretty spectacular as well. While I feel it has that computer generated feel to it which almost gives off this animation cel appearance. I love it too because it takes the best of the Saturday morning cartoons and old school comics and makes it something to fall in love with. There are some utterly spectacular moments in this book and while they are performing and we see the crowd in the backgrounds blurred out but identifiable yeah that’s among them. Now if this is computer generated artwork then there needs to be more utilisation of backgrounds here as well more colour gradation effects instead of straight up colour blocking. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a very solid eye for storytelling. Again I am a fan of the blurred versus in focus moments as it’s a great technique to have at your disposal.
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     With the story & plot development and pacing being so strong it’s no wonder that the character development is as well. I think by focusing on such few of the denizens of this Street Fighter universe we get a chance to get to know some of those we might not normally have a chance to. I am still in the dark as to how old Effie is but I do want to find out and then there’s Necro and that face with that nose and his stretch armstrong trick. All of it piques the curiosity and imagination of the reader making us want to see m ore.

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Marilyn Manor #1

6/28/2019

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Marilyn Manor #1
IDW Publishing 2019
Written by Magdalene Visaggio
Illustrated by Marley Zarcone
Coloured by Irma Kniivila
Lettered by Jane Heir


     Where were you in ’81? When the White House goes dark for 17 days in August, the president’s spoiled daughter and her best friend Abe—who claims to be possessed by the spirit of Abe Lincoln—throw a rager at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, unearthing long dead historical figures and government secrets that are better off buried. Sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll séances, and secret passageways lead to time-bending mystical romps where past and present collide. But at what cost to Marilyn Kelleher, the world at large, and music television?

     Well the way this opens up is fairly interesting. Seeing the fashion sense from the 80’s is extremely cringe worthy after having lived through it lol. Yet there is also something very Patrick Nagel about the whole thing that captures the readers’ attention, imagination and has this strange effect of making the reader want to see more. With the narration we see from Marilyn and the party in full rage effect as the introduction there are so many questions we have.

     While the 80’s weren’t really known for a lot of gender questioning or pushing a lot of envelopes well Boy George aside, what we see within these pages tries to cram so many different things that were happening throughout the country. While some of the more interesting aspects of this like Marilyn’s friend being possessed by Abraham Lincoln or finding these secret passageways are downplayed in favour of style over substance. I am also wondering if this could have benefited from a different structuring. I would have like to see Marilyn dying her hair and getting ready while telling the story of how everything falls into place and have the part be the ending. This is Magdalene’s story though and who am I to second guess, this is just my reaction to what I am seeing. Then again what she is doing has my mind working and thoroughly engaged so she pulled me in rather effectively. Now I am looking forward to seeing how all the pieces fit into this puzzle.

      The interiors as I have mentioned earlier have this whole range of emotional connections available to the reader. I love the surprisingly simple style of art that we see here, and I say that because it is so much more difficult to make it look simple and yet fleshes out the scenes, the people and their world so effectively. Also there are some wonderful references throughout the book that made me giggle and remember my own youth. That hand held camera that looks as big as anything a television guy would have for instance yeah. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a really solid and talented eye for storytelling. The colour work too with it’s blocking and creative use of solids and tones really helps the moments stand out.

     Magdalene does something amazing with her writing. As you first lance through it, it doesn’t make sense to see how it’s done and the more you think about it and the more you see it the more you find yourself appreciating how she goes about her craft. The story & plot development with the pacing and the character development show that she understands how to craft a story that will leave an impression on the reader. As much as we see here there is still so much left unanswered and it’s the desire to see those questions or moments that aren’t shown, revealed to us that makes us want to come back time and time again.
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     Secret tunnels, private sex rooms and something supernatural about the White House, it’s location and the power it possesses has never been explored as it is right now. This completely different and original take on the spoiled first brat has this wickedly delightful dark humour to it and shows us another range in what Magdalene is capable of doing.

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