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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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Buck Danny Vol.1 Night of the Serpent

6/25/2020

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Buck Danny Vol.1 Night of the Serpent
Cinebook the 9th Art Publisher 2009
By Francis Bergèse
Coloured by Frédéric Bergèse
Translated by Jerome Saincantin
Lettered & Text Layout by Imadjinn Sarl

    An American pilot is shot down at the border between North and South Korea. While his colleagues cover up the whole incident so as to avoid a diplomatic disaster, Buck Danny is in charge of bringing the pilot back to the US.  In the heart of the hostile jungle, a lethal game of hide-and-seek begins. Can Buck Danny find the American pilot before the North Koreans?

    Alright so this I found either on ComiXology or another place on the world wide web but it was a different title and I saw, thought it more all-ages than I think it is, and wanted to start with volume one.  They graciously assisted me and here we are.  I am a fan of war books and more recently than ever before and by looking at the cover I was incredibly intrigued and with that one look alone I had to see what it is all about.  This is the first volume but it’s an already character you can see this in the way the characters interact with one another.  I like it this way it gives the reader a better understanding of the team dynamic and their way of joking around with one another so there’s no guesswork with who’s who and who does what.

    I really like the way that this is being told.   The story & plot development that we see here through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is extremely well presented.  As a matter of fact that this a double sized issue and how well this is structured or laid out it feels like so much more than that.  The character development is frakkin amazing and it’s really rather easy to pick up on who is who and that this diverse group of men who make up Buck’s team are as much family to each other though loathe to admit I think.  The pacing is fantastic and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way we get to see how well this book is structured and how the ebb & flow has been created.

    I found myself loving certain aspects of this book and then some personalities which at first I thought was abrasive until I kept getting further into this.  Just the fact that we can see the evolution of the characters with the story and it makes this so much more than you initially think it’s going to.

    The interiors here are absolutely phenomenal to see!  The linework is exquisite and to see the varying weights as well as various techniques being utilised to spotlight the attention to detail blows me away.  All it took was one look to know that this was going to impress me throughout and boy howdy does it ever do that.  The way that backgrounds are being utilised is marvellous as they work at enhancing the moments as well as working within the composition of the panels bringing us depth perception, a sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the book.  I am gobsmacked by the look of the uniforms, the planes, and the faces and facial features are so expressive which adds to their characterisation.  The hair and the hairstyles are amazingly throwback to a bygone era that I wish was still around, their manners, attention to dress, hair and all that all speak volumes.  The colour work we see is simply divine.  The attention to detail in the colours, especially in the fatigue’s being worn, is some truly masterful work.  The various hues and tones from within the colours and how they are being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work just feels like we’re seeing work based off of photographs.

    The storytelling is absolutely amazing.  While this is a completely modern story, as seen through the planes and the countries we see, it still has this feel of something like Dan Dare would be a part of.  It blends yesterday, today and even tomorrow in such ways that are exciting and leave the reader in awe as we want to see more.  This is something I believe you need to have in your library, you thank me for it when you’ve read it.  This is engaging the readers' mind, lighting up the creativity and imagination we all possess and it is just an overall beautifully done book.

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Dead Body Road: Bad Blood #1

6/25/2020

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Dead Body Road: Bad Blood #1
Skybound/Image Comics 2020
Written by Justin Jordan
Illustrated by Benjamin Tiesma
Coloured by Mat Lopes
Lettered by Pat Brosseau

    Bree Hale has left a lot behind in her life. Crime. The military. But she can't leave behind her own family, and when the local crime boss puts a hit out on her brother, there's nothing she won't do to save him. Absolutely nothing.

    Well I am just as happy to return to the life of Bree Hale as Justin was to write this.  I also happen to be a fan of the fact that this isn’t picking up where we left off, well not entirely it is several years later as a matter of fact.  Kind of as real life time has passed and this lends a different air to what Justin does and the choices he makes in his writing that make us follow him and keep reading his work.  Frankly, his own work, not the corporate stuff because eh, it doesn’t feel the same when you don’t have total control over what you are doing and this is something we readers do notice.  

    I am a huge fan of the way that this is being told.  The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is spectacular.  The opening is a powerful reminder of this world that he’s created and leaves a very strong indelible stain upon you and makes you want to see and know more.  The character than development doesn’t disappoint in the slightest as it starts off stronger than Auchentoshan 1978 and never lets up.  It leaves this desire in me to get to know a few a lot better than their introduction allows.  Suffice it to say the layers we see and the ever shifting kaleidoscope of characters that come into play keep us entertained without needing a score card.  The pacing is marvellous and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way.  How all of this works together to bring out how well the book is structured and how enjoyable the ebb & flow is just works.  

    This is so good not only because you can see the passion and fun behind the work but that it also isn’t something we see every day.  We are so immersed in super-hero culture now that fewer and fewer genres are being utilised.  So this fills a void in some of the most utterly spectacular ways.

    The interiors here are phenomenal to see.  The linework is strong, confident and bold and then can be soft, subtle and still strong.  This kind of control over your craft and knowing that there are different techniques we can apply to bring out the best of what can be is mindbogglingly good in these pages.  I would like to see backgrounds being utilised more often, setting some up with them and leaving the ones around it blank kind of spoils how the reader views things and it takes away from the ambiance as well the “background” noise that we have in our lives.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective show a gifted eye for storytelling.  The colour work is amazing as well.  I like how we see some different techniques here as well with the way highlighting in the skin tones creates the arm or faces shape and musculature.  The various hues and tones utilised within the colours being utilised for the shading, highlighting and shadow work is extremely nice to see how they can change the mood of a page.
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    What a spectacular read this is.  So many moving parts and so many angles to run from for Bree.  Blood is thicker than water they say, in my personal experience I disagree but this is her story not mine, and she’ll do what she has to do for family.  Do not sleep on this one folks you’ll be sorry you did. 

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The Osiris Path #1

6/24/2020

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The Osiris Path #1
Behemoth Comics 2020
Written by Christian Moran, Corey Kalman & Brockton McKinney
Illustrated by Walt Barna
Lettered by DAM

    The Osiris Path is like Indiana Jones in space!
   An archaeologist is recruited to join a covert, military space program where he and his team must face a black magic cult that will stop at nothing to prevent the crew from deciphering the meaning of The Osiris Path.

    See people this another prime example of finding a book out of coincidence, i.e., going through artist alley or actually looking at Previews beyond the big name companies, which too many of you are too afraid to do.  Finding a title is only part of it, the other is getting it to read which yes if you don’t have a history of ordering through your store.  I have to say however, that it is extremely beneficial to your comic book reading that you find this book.  I am a huge fan of alternate history tales and this one may be off to the best start I have yet to see.  

    I am in love with the way that this is being told.  The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information as it is presented exceptionally well.  I think the fact that we know as much as Doctor Alexander Hancock and learn right alongside him makes this as interesting as humanly possible.  The character development that we see is pretty amazing.  I really really am enjoying the way that we are getting to know these characters.  From the naive and innocent Hancock to the nasty and hiding something West and everyone in between we see the beginnings of their personalities emerge and let me tell you that they are really the kind of folks you will want to know.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way we see how all of this works together to create the books ebb & flow.

    I have to say this is incredibly impressive to me.  The quality and level of work that has gone into this rivals anything and everything I have seen across the board.  It also reaffirms my faith that small/indie press books really are home to the next wave of amazing creators announcing their arrival.  While I know Brockton the rest are unfamiliar to me but thanks to this book they won’t be any longer.  They are worth knowing, following and as this story continues I cannot wait to see what they will do next.

    The interiors are absolutely stunning.  How we see the linework with its varying weights and techniques being utilised to bring out the attention to detail is phenomenal stuff.  There are times I forget this is a modern book with how classic, clean and strong the interiors look.  It has this completely Grell, Adams or Aparo quality to it that just rocks my world.  The way that we see backgrounds being utilised and how they work within the composition of the panels to bring us this depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the book is bloody brilliant.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such a masterful eye for storytelling.  The colour too is simply stunning to see.  Whether it is the shades of white into the shading or the colour gradation of various hues and tones all of it has this remarkable feel to it.  This is someone who knows colour, knows how it should work, knows the kind of effect that it has and how to properly utilise it to its utmost potential.  
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    There is some crazy stuff happening within these pages and with every turn of the page we are welcomed into this world that shouldn’t exist in the manner in which it does.  Taking old Ancient Aliens, no sadly there is no Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, ideas and renovating them for a modern take is the stuff legends really are made of.

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Battlecats: Tales of Valderia #3

6/24/2020

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Battlecats: Tales of Valderia #3
Mad Cave Studios 2020
Created & Written by Mark London
Illustrated by Michael Camelo
Coloured by Julian Gonzalez
Book Design & Lettered by Miguel Angel Zapata

    Witness the moment the Battlecats first met. Before the struggles at the Skeleton Maze and the conflict between King Eramad III and Valadar, this is the story of how the White Marsh Islands shaped Kelthan and crew into the heroes we know and love today.

    I love these little insight stories into the team before they were all famous for who they are now.  This one in particular strikes a soft spot within me and I wish we’d get to see more starting here.  This issue also is way too short for my tastes, there could have been a lot more story within this issue.  It might just be me but it certainly felt a little short in regards to the story page count.  Otherwise what i really want to see now are more of them as kids training against one another while simultaneously forming the bonds of friendship.

    The way that this is being told is fantastic.  The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented extremely well.  The introduction of the array of characters and how we see the bonds being formed is fantastic.  The character development is a bit on the light side but then I attribute that this feeling like a shorter than average issue.  What we do see however is what screams out for more, I want to see the young ones and how they are at the beginning of their time together.  The pacing that we see here is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the story we see how everything works together to create the books ebb & flow.  It also works to showcase how well the story itself is structured.

    I guess it is kind of cliche to do an arc of when they were young as that bandwagon seems to have run its course but after this I for one don’t care i want to see more.  Now that Mark has broached the subject matter it is as if Pandora’s box has been opened and there’s no closing it now.  This is also what excites me about comics, it is when you least expect something and then when you see it you want to see so more of it, it engages your mind and imagination in unexpected ways.

    The interiors here are fantastic!  I love seeing the linework here and how the varying weights are being utilised to bring out the attention to detail.  There is something about the way in which we see young Kelthan that is so gosh darn cute and endearing while still maintaining the high quality attention to detail that we’re used to.  The way we see composition within the panels and how backgrounds are utilised to bring us depth perception, a sense of scale and that overall sense of size and scope to the book.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a magnificent eye for storytelling.  The colour work we see is stupendous.  The different techniques being utilised to take the hues and tones within any given colour to create the shading, highlights and shadow work.  Oh it’s gorgeous to see and from the vibrancy to the subtle everything is done in such a way that is nearly breathtaking at every turn.
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    I just wish we had more pages in this issue and maybe that’s just me since I got caught up in this in a way that I wasn’t expecting.  Yes I want to see what happens from the table in the dining hall, like immediately after.  Mark has created this rich luxurious world that screams explore me and he’s populated with characters that you want to spend time with.  It isn’t easy to create such a world but here it is and you need to be here to find out why I hold it in such high regard.  

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Canopus #3

6/23/2020

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Canopus #3
Scout Comics 2020
By Dave Chisholm

    Fiery exploding skulls; super volcanic eruptions; interstellar travel; a mission gone horribly wrong; the ground turned to liquid; a miraculous launch; trapped half a mile beneath the surface of the planet and surrounded by otherworldly fire--the situation is looking dire for Helen and Arther as they attempt to blast their way back to the surface, Helen learns the truth behind the mission to Canopus amping up her urgency to return home.

    Well here we are with issue three and the more of this that I see the more things start to make sense and yet at the same time it gets further and further from reality.  There is something about the dichotomy of that which I find inherently interesting.  Dave makes it look so easy to be able to weave a story that takes time and space and makes mincemeat out of it and puts it back together in a way that just defies expectations.  There are few if any moments that you aren’t glued to the book trying to find some semblance of an explanation for what is going on here.  When we see the pieces as they should make sense it still just isn’t enough and for that we crave more.

    I really am enjoying the way that this is being told.  The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented beautifully.  The way we get to see the before, before Helen woke up with Amnesia, and how we see thighs now with how the events or situations and circumstances unfold are not just character development they are integral to the story itself as the culmination of all we see is what the overall bigger picture is really about.  The pacing here is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way alongside the revelations we see I have to say how everything works together to create the books ebb & flow is pretty amazing.

    In today’s world and market there are so few books that you find with this kind of originality and uniqueness to it that just captures your mind and imagination the way that this one does.  The reader is engaged from the get to and it has this strange hypnotic effect on you and you cannot resist it.   This really does set itself apart from everything else on stands right now and it is something you’ll need to read to fully appreciate it.

    The interiors here are really rather interesting as well.  There is this way that Dave manages to really capture expressions and emotions so beautifully throughout that it just adds to the mystery and mystique of the book.  Also the utilisations of the page layouts are sensational as we see the creativity and imagination and extend to how these are viewed as well.  The utilisation of the backgrounds is rather interesting and the fact that the undergrounds of this planetoid is seen this way is truly wondrous.  How we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a stellar eye for storytelling.  The colour work is amazing and i do like the choices we see and how the various hues and tones within the colours utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work are rendered.  
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    Scout Comics is home to some of the most interesting and intriguing books that we’re seeing put out today.  This is different, off the beaten track and completely and totally enveloping in way shape and form.  Dave Chisholm is bright shining new voice in comics and I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us after this.

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Death To The Army of Darkness #03

6/23/2020

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Death To The Army of Darkness #03
Dynamite Entertainment 2020
Written by Ryan Parrott
Illustrated by Jacob Edgar
Coloured by Kike J. Diaz
Lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

    TEAM ASH (we’re really calling them that?) travel to ANCIENT EGYPT to destroy the Deadite curse once and for all. Unfortunately, they run into LORD DEADITE, the scariest guy in all of history. But before Ash can scoot, Team Ash (sigh) challenges L-Dead to a contest of skills!?!?!?!? 

    I really haven’t been a big Army of Darkness guy but this arc is utterly amazing, so much fun and a completely different take on the television version of Team Ash.  I don’t know what it is about Ryan and his ability to write a team book but it’s probably one of the strongest I have ever come across.  Granted these are all aspects of Ash himself and I find it incredibly interesting to see the different sides of himself being shown through them.  Also how is it that Ash himself still maintains all of his traits, bravery, knowledge (smarts), cowardice etc., etc,.  This borders on bloody genius if you want my opinion.

    The way that this is being told is fantastic.  How we see the story & plot development moving forward through how the sequence of events unfold as well how the reader learns information is presented perfectly.  I am thoroughly enjoying seeing Ash trying to take charge and lead this team of well his various selves and failing miserably at that.  Yet regardless of that we all know that in the end through blind dumb luck and a little skill & knowhow he’s going to pull through and get a win.  This leads me into the character development that we see within these pages.  I love, love, love seeing how the different bodies possess different aspects of his personality.  There is something uniquely different about how it’s being accomplished here and showcasing how impressive Ash really is in the end.  The pacing is fantastic and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way we see how all of this works together to showcase how well the book is structured and the book's overall ebb & flow.

    The interiors here are never what I expect them to be and I am totally okay with that.  Jacob has his own style and it’s more on the all-ages side of comic book art but somehow he manages to make it both humorous and serious at the same time.  Tiny Ash is phenomenal and I want one lol while the skeleton version really makes me think more Scooby Doo and the rest fall somewhere in between which is what makes this so gosh darn good.  I would like to see backgrounds being utilised more often.  They really make an impact and with this being Ancient Egypt and inside a Pharaoh's temple I was hoping to see the panels decked out ya know.  Kind of like watching Discovery Channel and the secrets of the Pharaoh’s that kind of thing.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a really solid eye for storytelling.  The colour work is quite simple but now that it’s done, I hope you don’t, I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words, but seriously it is quite simple but it works with the whole tone of the book.  How we see the various hues and tones being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is really well rendered.
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    There are few franchises that seem to work regardless of the medium we see them in.  This is definitely one of them and so long as folks like Ryan understand or find a way to represent the characters so fully we’re never going to be without them.  This is brilliant on so many levels and the entire creative team down the expert lettering plays their in making this such a good time.  

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The Man Who F#&%ed Up Time #3

6/22/2020

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The Man Who F#&%ed Up Time #3
Aftershock Comics 2020
Created, Written & Lettered by John Layman
Created & Illustrated by Karl Mostert
Coloured by Dee Cunniffe

    The armored Neanderthal foot-soldiers who serve the evil emperor Abraham Lincoln VI have orders to bring in time-traveling f#%&-up Sean Bennett dead or alive— and they choose dead!  That’s right, we kill our lead character on page two of issue #3. So, uh...what’s next? Well, either a lotta blank pages…or a surprise twist so amazing YOU DARE NOT MISS THIS ISSUE!!! (Spoiler: It’s the latter.)

    Okay this just keeps getting better and better with each issue.  Granted that is exactly what is supposed to happen but some do it better than others as we see here.  I like so many aspects of this story and the whole idea of the butterfly effect is on full display and it’s quite glorious.  I am also loving how this whole idea of Sean having to fix the timeline he’s messed up when he has no idea what he’s doing.  He is such a novice at this and that these Future Police have him charged with fixing what he’s done is killing me, softly with his word, because well I simply cannot tell you.

    I am really enjoying the way that this is being told.  There is something refreshing about the non-linear way that John has come up with to tell this tale and while I’m not totally it should work what I do see here borders on genius or mad genius depending on your point of view.  The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information are presented beautifully.  There is this great way in how this is being told and it isn’t until the end of the issue until you realise what is truly happening.  Though in all honesty we should’ve seen this for ourselves a lot sooner but the whole idea of the left hand not knowing what the right is doing is true for a reason.  The character development is phenomenal to see play out through these pages.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way we see how all of this works together to create the books ebb & flow. 

    The interiors here are utterly delightful as well.  There is this really nice way that we see the linework and the varying weights and techniques utilised to show bring us the attention to detail.  With the creativity and imagination that is on display here that linework becomes truly exquisite.  While I do wish we’d get to see more backgrounds being utilised when we do see them, they really enhance the moments and beautifully present this depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a remarkable eye for storytelling.  The colour work is really well rendered.  We see some varying techniques in how the colour is applied and the various hues and tones utilised within the colours to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is spectacular.
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    There are so many different surprises that occur throughout the issue and it is just mesmerising to see them come out of left field as they are choreographed ahead of time.  This may be one of today’s most interesting and seemingly complex stories on stands today.  I expect no less out of John however, as his storytelling usually finds itself way ahead of its time.  What amazes me time and time again is the fact that John makes it all look so easy and effortless on his part.  So once again I tell you Aftershock Comics is at the cutting edge of comics storytelling.

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The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage #3

6/22/2020

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The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage #3
DC Comics Black Label 2020
Written by Jeff Lemire
Pencilled by Denys Cowan
Inked by Bill Sienkiewicz 
Coloured by Chris Sotomayor
Lettered by Willie Schubert

    It’s 1941, and Hub City is on the brink of a world war…and private eye Charlie Sage is on the brink of unraveling an enormous conspiracy! If he could just get that mysterious dame in red to talk-and keep his kneecaps intact, what with that strike-busting muscle coming up behind him-then maybe, just maybe, he can break the terrible cycle that keeps leading him back, through the ages, to his own death…

    This is the kind of storytelling that I miss the most.  Equal parts old school Vic Sage and elements from the myriad of Ghost inspired titles from the 60’s and 70’s.  This is classic storytelling with a modern twist that takes us on this dark twisted tale of life, love, loss and finding oneself in the most unique manner possible.  Not to mention it’s being told by a modern master of storytelling that is illustrated by classic artists that know these genres and can make them come to life in ways we could never dream of.  This level and quality of storytelling is an artform in and of itself and it is something that we haven’t seen in way too long.

    The way this is being told is absolutely bloody brilliant!  From Vic being caught up in multiple versions of himself that span across time all starting at the behest of an elderly and wise Richard Dragon.  Whom, just the fact that he’s utilised here in any capacity makes me one hell of a thrilled reader after all both come from the same world after all.  The story & plot development that we see here through how the  sequence of events unfold and how the reader learns information is sensationally presented.  The character development is so much more than anything we could have wanted to see.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages on this twisted near acid trip-like journey revealing the twists and turns along the way you can’t help but fall under the spell it’s weaving.  How we see everything working together to create the books ebb & flow and spotlight how well this is structured makes it an even bigger joy to read.

    There really isn’t any need to pontificate on the interiors here.  I mean this is the cream of top, top of the hill, A number one, those vagabond shoes.  Actually though I am totally in love with and enamoured by the interiors here.  The linework leaves me gobsmacked and the way Bill’s signature style still let’s Deny’s shine through as well this is freaking talent folks you are not going to find much better than when it comes to this.  How we see backgrounds being utilised and how they work within the composition of the panels to bring us depth perception, a sense of scale and that overall sense of size and scope to the book.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show this outstandingly talented eye for storytelling.  I am extremely impressed with how Chris does the colouring of this book.  He has captured this whole Noir feel and tone to perfection.  How we see the hues and tones within the colours to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is simply divine.  Seriously how we see these minute colour changes depending on which version of Vic we see or when we see him is above and beyond.
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    This book showcases how DC can take their classic characters and make them relevant and important once again.  This is how you revitalise a character who really regained prominence thanks to the Justice League cartoon.  By utilising Richard Dragon which opens the door to his adventures as a young man down the road.  This is the kind of Rebirth I want to see and see happen to so many more Charlton characters.  You really aren’t going to find anything that comes close to the level of storytelling we see here.

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The Ludocrats #2

6/21/2020

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The Ludocrats #2
Image Comics 2020
Written by Keiron Gillen & Jim Rossignol
Illustrated by Jeff Stokely
Coloured by Tamra Bonvillain
Lettered by Clayton Cowles

    How could we follow the startling first issue of LUDOCRATS? With issue two. Sometimes it doesn't pay to overthink these things. Herein, stuff of a ludicrous and oft entertaining character happens.

    After last issues over the top extravagant eleganza I wasn’t so sure what this issue was going to be like.  However, placing faith in this creative team is easy and yet I was still surprised as hell with how well this issue went.  Kudos for taking this and dialing it the way that it was done and creating something that well is exactly what we wanted to see while still remaining completely extra at times.  That this turned into an incredibly strong issue for reasons that do not pertain to the first issue is pure gold.

    The way that this is being told is fantastic.  The story & plot development that we see though the way the sequence of events unfold and as well as how the reader learns information is extremely well done.  I like how the actions we see the characters taking and more importantly which ones are undertaking the quest to free his lost love is being presented.   The character development we see is super strong and how that’s determined by the circumstances and situations that arise is extremely nice to see.  We get a huge look at the characters in this issue and it completely changes my opinion on some and that’s precisely what it is supposed to be doing.  The pacing is impeccable and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns and how everything we see working together helps create the ebb & flow.  

    I applauded the out of the box thinking that we saw in the last issue and how we see that continuing this issue is just outstanding.  There is something about this that when you just accept the absurdity for what it is, let go and enjoy it that you have one of the best experiences you are going to have.  The untold amount of laughter that ensues page after page really does make this one of those hidden gems.  Right now with the U.S. government feeling as it’s a Ludocracy it’s easy to see how this actually is relatable to.  

    The interiors here have a great  all-ages Saturday Morning cartoon quality to them that belies the actual subject matter.  So while I wish there were more attention to detail what we do see is extremely impressive, expressive and all around adds to the joyful glee that we experience reading this.   There is a really great imagination and creativity in what we see and that they are brought to life like they are is utterly delightful.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such a sensational eye for storytelling.  The colour is superb and how we see these bright bold colours and the hues and tones within them utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work.  
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    I cannot rave enough about this book.  It came out of nowhere and lit up my horizon in ways I wasn’t expecting or prepared for.  This is wacky fun in the tradition of Adult Swim.  So if this sounds like it'll be a good fit for you then you are probably right

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Hotell #2

6/20/2020

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Picture
Hotell #2
AWA Upshot Studios 2020
Written by John Lees
Illustrated by Dalibor Talajić
Coloured by Lee Loughridge
Lettered by Sal Cipriano

    You won't find it on any map, but if you happen to be driving down Route 66 late at night and you're truly desperate for shelter, sanctuary or secrecy, you might see a battered sign on the side of the road: The Pierrot Courts Hotel – where many check in but few check out.

    What a morbidly twisted and delightful mind John has!  I mean I knew we were in for something special after the first issue but I’ll be a brass monkey’s left testicle in the fact that I would never have seen this coming no matter what.  This is definitely a large part of the appeal when it comes to John and the work he does, always keeping me on my toes guessing as to what’s next.  That and the fact that he’s able to creep the reader out time and time again in some truly wondrous ways is another large factor in his appeal.  

    I am thoroughly enjoying the way that this is being told.  How we see the story & plot development through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented beautifully.  The opening here is fantastic and it makes you wonder just what the heck is going to happen because it seems innocuous enough.  This leads me to the character development that we see within these pages.  It doesn’t take long before you as the reader begins to see we’re not getting the entire picture and all that does is draw us further and deeper into the story.  The pacing is incredible and as it takes us through the pages unveiling the story we see how everything works together to create the books ebb & flow.

    The way that we see the book being structured is stupendous.  How it is able to draw the reader into the story and how it engages the reader is something that you will be surprised at how easy it’s done.  John has a very unique voice as he’s able to not only weave a tale full of depth, layering and a surface that is deceptively soothing.  This almost lulls you into this false sense of security and that is precisely what it should be doing, sleight of hand if you will as you watch what’s happening and then bam along comes the unexpected.  Few have this ability and fewer still can do this as well as he can.

    Dalibor has a very nice way about his work.  The linework is great and how we see the varying weights being utilised to show the attention to detail is superb.  The classic comic book style actually works a lot better than I was anticipating it to.  I marvel at how the forest we see looks and the vibrancy of which we see the trees and vegetation.  How they are utilised in the backgrounds and within the composition within the panels bring us this great depth perception, sense of scale and that overall sense of size and scope to the book.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a great eye for storytelling.  The colour work is really rather beautifully rendered as well.  How we see the hues and tones within the colours utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work leaves the finished pages gorgeous.  
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    This book is something else.  It has these beautiful twists and turns that continue to take us through the emotional spectrum in ways that are incredibly unexpected and thoroughly entertaining.  I have been misled, deceived and duped at almost every step along the way and I have never ever been happier about that than I am right now.  Brilliantly done folks, brilliantly done.  

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