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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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Killers #1

7/31/2019

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Killers #1
Valiant Entertainment 2019
Written by B. Clay Moore
Illustrated by Fernando Dagnino
Coloured by José Villarrubia
Lettered by Jeff Powell


     They were the best…they killed the rest.
     Five deadly assassins are recruited into a game of cat and mouse by their former sensei, the mysterious Jonin! But what does the Jonin want from them, and what do they gain out of helping him?

     Oh bollocks this what I have been waiting for ever since we saw this story play out the way it did with Ninjak. How many of the former Ninja operatives still live? Well I am guessing five and considering we're only on K well that isn't very many now is it. Regardless this is a long overdue and perfect way to reintroduce us to these former agents and make them a force to reckoned with once again. While I was never sure what this was going to be about I did know B. Clay Moore was writing it and being a huge Hawaiian Dick fan that's all it took for me to be in. Of course seeing Fernando's name attached as well made me want to read this all the more as I really love his work so it's great to see him working on something new.

     This was so much better than I could have hoped for too. The opening is amazing and it sets us up for the tone of the book beautifully. Also the narration is top notch and allows us to be privy to at least one persons idea on monogamy long term relationships, which is actually rather progressive so kudos to Clay. Plus while the character is ambushed it's great to see that they aren't just taking a beating but also fighting back like mad!

     The characterisation here is phenomenal! From how we see this man in Italy carry himself to the rather emotional way we meet Ninja-G as well as seeing Neville Alcott again all of them are fleshed exceedingly well and while we get to know them in the present there is still so much that we don't know or that they haven't allowed us to see yet. The way that the story & plot development and the character development and swept up in the pacing and how it all just flows through the pages really is superbly done. So that the structure of the book really does allow the reader to become so engaged in the story is fabulous and delightful.

     Goodness gracious are Fernando's interiors a thing of beauty to see. The linework is gorgeous and seeing the varying weights utilised to create the attention to detail here is fabulous. The man has this gorgeous eye for storytelling and we see this in the way he composes the panels. From the angles and perspectives we see to how he showcases foregrounds and the backgrounds to create the whole visual is just amazing. The page layouts and how they are utilised to help with the flow of story works on so many levels. The colour work as well is spectacular and how light sources are utilised to create shading and shadows, colour blocking and gradation in which various hues and tones are brought out is just perfectly done.

     As you read the story it's easy to understand how and why the series got it's name. Although there is so much more here than meets the eye and the layers are stacked up on each other as an orange with way too man peels. I cannot wait to see how and where these folks are going to take us next. All I do know is that Agents like these have no friends and trust folks even less so how will they get all five together in one place without them killing each other. Granted the same man did train them all and they all learned the same tricks only the outcomes will vary.
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     Valiant strikes again with a hot new series and hopefully we'll start getting one that's actually an ongoing monthly because this, this is one that I want to be able to read month and month out. Great writing and fabulous interiors make Killers a beautiful but deadly addition to Valiant Comics.

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Knights Temporal #1

7/31/2019

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Knights Temporal #1
Aftershock Comics 2019
Written by Cullen Bunn
Illustrated by Fran Galán
Lettered by Dave Sharpe


     When Auguste de Riviere returned from the Crusades, he was ashamed and horrified by the things he had done. Hoping to reclaim his soul, he pledges to root out evil wherever it might be found. But when he pursued a vile sorcerer into a forbidden forest, his life was shattered. Auguste ventured into the dark forest, but emerged in the modern world. Accompanied now by the enigmatic Jane Fool, Auguste hunts a madman while trying to piece together the mystery of his very existence.

     Alright I am down with this. The opening here is the perfect bait for reeling in the reader hook, line and sinker. The foreboding atmosphere that is created here is sensationally well done and it begs to be explored further. So further we go indeed. What it does is essentially set up the premise for the whole series, Auguste chases after Gaspard into what is considered a haunted wood. Why because Gaspard has done something despicable, what it is ain't exactly clear but there's a girl hanging out of there telling him he aught to beware.

     So after we get to see the opening the story really picks up. It picks up unexpectedly and again we are caught in the middle of what's been going with Auguste. Instead of resting on the whole guess where you are now Cullen does this magnificent now and then storytelling so that we see the past and present complete what we need to know about Auguste and his companion Jane. There is just this presence to what we see that commands attention and it surely isn't anything that I was expecting to see here. This is pretty darn brilliantly accomplished and I have to say that if this is any idea of what is in store for us then I don't think even buckling in is gonna help!

     Also I am really impressed with the characterisation here. From the fast and loose way we see Jane to the ultra seriousness in Auguste and even the little guy who has no real connection to them that we can see right away. Actually I believe that he's going to be the surprise character who everyone is going to fall in love with, the standout. When you read this you'll understand the sentiment.

     The interiors here are really nicely done. I am really impressed with the strength and quality of the linework that we're seeing here. How we see the varying weights being utilised to really bring out some beautiful attention to detail. That she isn't afraid to utilise backgrounds here and treats them with the same amount detail involved so they really do expand the moments and bring a superb 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 really nice eye for storytelling. The colour work is gorgeous and it really manages to create the right mood, tone and feel for every moment in this book. The colour blocking and how we see the light sources create shading and shadows is so well presented to us. There are even these nice techniques utilised throughout, see the lights around the seats of the arena, or the path he is supposed to take. It's just brilliant work all around.
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     I like the idea and while it has a slightly familiar element I haven't seen anything done quite like this which just goes to show that Cullen's mind is a scary place to be. Why? Simple because he has this vivid imagination and creativity all his own that just can't wait to be unleashed on an unsuspecting audience. This will capture your imagination and let your mind run wild with possibilities as you become fully engaged in what's happening before you eyes.

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Manor Black #1

7/31/2019

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Manor Black #1
Dark Horse Comics 2016
Written by Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt
Illustrated by Tyler Crook


     Roman Black is the moribund patriarch of a family of powerful sorcerers. As his wicked and corrupt children fight over who will take the reins of Manor Black and become representative of the black arts, Roman adopts a young mage whom he gifts his powers to with the hope that someone good will take his place against the evil forces out to bring down his family and legacy.

     Not going to lie I was extremely excited for this one, this grouping is pretty much a guarantee that we are going to get one hell of a great read. These guys don't disappoint either and what I am seeing is something completely new and different. How Cullen manages to be so gosh darn good that he can keep up with these original ideas is beyond me but the man is probably tied for the hardest working man in comics (he and Jeff Lemire). Working with this familiar posse the three of them come together and bring us a summer blockbuster in my humble opinion.

     I love the opening here. There is mystery and excitement and we come in pretty much at the end of something which only heightens the intrigue factor. I want to know what was going on here and why the folks in the van were running and who exactly they were running from. It's a perfectly constructed opening to bring out that those myriad of feelings ensuring that the reader will want to keep reading. I blown away at how this opening is like a master class in how to construct the start of your story.

     The way the entire book is structured is sensational as we see the pacing encompass the story & plot development and the character development through the pages of this issue in some amazing ways. If you forget for a minute that there are supernatural powers in play and focus on the characters and how we see the acting and this takes on a noir mystery feel to it that is phenomenal. The introduction of the characters happens in a nice natural way as after the opening we get to meet Roman Black and again the intrigue factor goes through the roof. So many questions in the readers' minds mean they've been engaged in the story in ways that take them off page and into their imaginations which is what a story is supposed to do.

     Tyler, sigh, this man and what he is capable of doing for these interiors is bloody brilliant. The linework shows a strong and steady hand, the utilisation of its varying weights to create this attention to detail is stupendous and the creativity & imagination in bringing aspects of this to life is scary good. Then add into that his colour work and it takes not just to a whole new level but a whole new stratosphere. How colour is utilised to create facial structures as easily as seeing how light sources create shading and shadows setting the mood perfectly in every instance shows this natural instinct and talent for how to use them. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows why Tyler is or should be one of the best of best illustrators in the business.
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     So many different characters from so many different perspectives are in play here making the story already have more layers than a seven layer cake. I am excited to see how all these different folks come together in the long run and just how the paths will cross. That the characterisation for each character is dynamite and the way that I have been pulled into this book damn near immediately shows such amazing minds at work here. I cannot wait to see the infighting and drama that comes with Roman's actions. There is so much to look forward to and if this is how it starts then damn I can't wait to get to the climax!

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Honor and Curse #6

7/31/2019

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Honor and Curse #6
Mad Cave Studios 2019
Written by Mark London
Illustrated by Nicolas Salamanca
Coloured by Tekino
Letters & Logo by Miguel Angel Zapata


     PREVIOUSLY...
     The tension reached a boiling point as Lord Haruki sent a group, led by Toho and Takeshi, to find and bring back Genshi, dead or alive. Meanwhile, Genshi and Nishiro learned the whereabouts of the Elder One. The good news was short-lived as Toho ambushed Genshi, killed Nishiro, and forced the grieving shinobi to unleash the Tengu on his own people. No longer able to hide his secret, Genshi confessed to Takeshi. With all of the information brought to light, they set off to clear Genshi’s name and save the Iga from Haruki’s madness...

     This first arc has been a sheer delight for me to read. The love, respect and attention given to another culture, another way of life has been done superbly well. In a time when Clans ruled in a Feudal society and where Lords ruled with an iron fist we find ourselves mixing history and anime/manga in this whole idea of a Tengu. A demon who is housed in a human body that makes them somewhat immortal and an instrument of the demon, or god as the case may be, who possesses them. This has from the start been a very well conceived and executed book that has captivated readers.

     So while this may be the final issue in it's first arc there are still unanswered questions for me. We saw that Nishiro betrayed Genshi and they managed to make up before his death but I never did understand why Lord Haruki hates the Tengu so much. We learn the depths of his hatred yes that's been on display since day one when he was brought into the Iga Clan but never the way. As we have seen there are others who utilise their unique gifts and talents regularly against their enemies and have been rather effective tools. See Mark has led me astray of the book and has my mind engaged in what ifs and why not's throughout the reading of this arc.

     The way that this is structured is extremely well done. The ebb & flow created by the way the pacing is utilised to take the story & plot development and the character development in a constant forward motion has a joy to experience. Mark has a very strong skill and talent level when it comes to writing and it's a joy to see him do so.

     The interiors here have been something special since day one as well and it's nice to see that this never stops. That computer generated art has come a long way since it's beginnings and that so few can utilised it effectively still puts Nicolas in a class with few others. The way we see the linework being done and how the varying weights can bring out this stellar attention to detail continues to thrill and amaze me. While there are still some things that computers cannot do that pencil and paper can the overall mood tone and feel of what we see is sensational. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a solid eye for storytelling. I such a fan of the way backgrounds are utilised here as well as they expand the moments and bring us a size and scope. The colour work is nicely as well and the light sources and their glow which also changes the hues around it is well rendered.  Plus those tattoo's and nearly naked physique sigh you couldn't show more?
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     With so much happening in this issue Genshi finally learns that he is utterly alone in this world and he has to rely upon himself of his passenger is likely to take full control. He needs to find the Elder One for help. Meanwhile what happens to his former and the woman he loves? Plans swirl as we get ready for the next arc and boy I cannot wait for that one!

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Sink #10

7/30/2019

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​Sink #10
ComixTribe 2017
Written by John Lees
Illustrated by Alex Cormack
Colour Flats by Mark Mullaney
Lettered by Shawn Lee


     A love story... Sink style! Following their respective divorces, Louise and Kieran are taking their first tentative steps back into the world of dating. After a lovely dinner, Louise invites Kieran back to her place. There's just one problem: Louise lives in Sinkhill. Will this turn out to be the first date from hell?

     I love this series, John has himself a twisted little mind and I'd love to be inside it just for a little bit. Still this has been one of the most original and twisted new horror series for the last few years and it only seems to be picking up more steam with each new issue that comes out. That is because this is a smart, intelligent and well thought out book that is extremely violent and fun. The horror genre is a very fickle one and not all attempts to play in that sandbox succeed more so when it's a voice most are not familiar with so that John not only broke in but is succeeding as much as he is just solidifies the fact that he is one of today's hottest voices in horror comics.

     This issue is done exceedingly well. The way the book is structured so that the pacing takes us on a journey through the story & plot development and character development while holding the readers' fascination and moving everything forward is great to see. Also I have to give massive props for a few things here right off the bat, and that's how both sweet this dinner date is and yet seeing that knife cut through steak gives us that gross out factor giving a new meaning to sickeningly sweet. Also hey I was so completely thrilled by this date and was totally expecting something horrific to happen to them on their way home that nothing and I do mean nothing could have prepared me for what comes next!

     The thing is few folks can actually keep me on my toes and surprise me time and time again like the boys have in this single issue. If you aren't reading this and like everything from Shaun of the Dead to anything Rob Zombie then you need to be reading this book, trust me you'll thank me later. So Sinkhill has the reputation of being a not so safe area in which to reside, and of course this is where Louise lives. Live adventurously people that's the only way to be.

     I have been a fan and watching Alex work for years now and I have to say that what he's been doing lately just blows me away. He manages to keep his signature style and yet tighten it up, make it look more polished and sophisticated. He's a true talent in this industry and what brings to this is beyond exceptional. While a lot of guys like to shy away from the male form what we see here is Alex bringing us Kieran in nearly all his glory looking like your average everyday bloke. Tad pudgy, hair all over-including the back and buttocks- and simply a surprising delight in the realism of normal people.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a talented and well seasoned eye for storytelling. The composition inside the panels and utilising backgrounds is sensational stuff and the effect of the rain as well has that air of truth. The colour work that we see is nice as well and I love how the light sources are utilised to show shading and shadows. How the darkness outside is a more muted hue than in bright lights is another really nice contrast.

     God the humour, the horror and the overall sense of dread, anguish and giggling that one does while reading this is priceless. Just when you think you've seen it all we're reminded that we ain't seen nothing yet. I mean once everything starts there no stopping it it's like a force of nature sweeping through. The creativity and imagination in the art as well as in the writing is so damn good and while for our two main characters this issue it's a first date to remember for a lifetime! For readers' it's just another reason to love this series.

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Aberrant Season 2 #5

7/30/2019

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Aberrant Season 2 #5
Action Lab Danger Zone 2019
Written by Rylend Grant
Illustrated by Davi Leon Dias
Coloured by Iwan Joko Triyono
Lettered by HdE


     CHAPTER 5: END OF THE ROAD.
     The whole twisted 10-issue symphony comes to a rousing, cacophonous crescendo. David races to stop Cordrey from making a deal that would gravely affect the balance of power in the world. Garret takes an ugly ride on CON AIR. Rook has a teary-eyed reunion with his beloved parrot, acquires a cracking new pet fish, and then he leaps from a C-130 without a parachute. Although we’ve come… to the end of the road… still I can’t let go…

     Well this is the end, for now mind you as the ending here suggests and Rylend you best be listening to me because this isn't over. Cordrey is one sick man and to think in the beginning I kind of liked him what with all the mathematical equations that he had running through that brain of his. Doesn't matter that he's been off since the day we met him he had a certain charm in the banter with David that most of us found endearing. Here in this issue however he's full on off his medications, missing a few crayons from his box crazy and I love every moment of it.

     The way we see Davids idea unfold while not exactly crazy is still risky enough to make me wonder how much a death wish the man has. His recruitment of Rook in all this is nicely handled as David has to back-peddle a bit since Rook is as dangerous as they come and while he may not be able to speak he's been done wrong by so many he's still volatile when approached wrong. More so since the man has found himself a place where he can finally be happy again. Still that we see David keep his word to him speaks volumes about him.

     The way that Rylend has structured this is extremely well done. The pacing is done so that we see it carry the story & plot development and the character development forward to the end. The story weaves in and out between David's plot line and Cordrey's and while is solid with level headed thinking, if not outside the box, the other shows such an unstable mind which just makes him that much more dangerous in the long run. That along with the characterisation that we see which never stops growing and evolving is what sets this apart from it's closest peers.

     I am an aficionado of the interiors here. The linework is strong and how we see the varying weights utilised and manipulated to create this amazing attention to detail is always a thrill to see. That we see this amount of backgrounds being utilised shows that Davi understands the importance of how they expand the moments and bring a 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 us an extremely talented eye for storytelling. I am also impressed with the colour work here as well. There are moments such seeing all that purple in those wings which utilised hues and tones to really make it feel more magnificent. The way that flesh tones are utilised to bring out the musculature of the characters is incredibly well done. There is a lot of excellent work being done here.
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     I like how this ends however I do feel like we never did get a proper chance to see the former President's Club be expanded upon properly. Here's hoping what we see means there will be a chance to see how that club was formed and how it's shaped countless policies that no one has ever known about. Then there's Celia, that conniving well bitch who thinks of herself as more grandiose than she actually is. I would love to see her taken down more than a few pegs and dealt with harshly. See I have so much more of this that I want to see and this is Rylend's fault for creating something of this magnitude.

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Ascender #4

7/30/2019

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Ascender #4
Image Comics 2019
Written by Jeff Lemire
Illustrated by Dustin Nguyen
Lettered & Designed by Steve Wands


     “THE HAUNTED GALAXY,” Part Four (of Five)
     The hit series continues as readers catch up with the evil vampire witch Mother inside her floating castle on the planet Mata. She’s been tipped off that a force for hope has come to free the oppressed people of her galaxy, but she won’t give up her power without a star-spanning magical conflagration.

     I think this story is utterly amazing. Mother is one of the creepiest characters to have been introduced in comics in I don't know how long. She reminds me of Granny Goodness but much more calculating, devious and devoid of compassion. She makes this story and this book that much more interesting and scary as we know her reputation and what she's capable of we just don't know the full lengths she's willing to go and that scares the hell out of me.

     There is something about Militia and her father that Jeff brings to this that has this undefinable quality which endears them to the reader. We see them, we get excited about them and we root and cheer for them to outsmart and overcome the forces chasing them. For now they certainly aren't on Mother's radar but only her forces that are running this planet. They want either dead or conditioned so that they follow Mother's rules and laws. So that we see this as a very action/adventure oriented segment it really has this great adrenaline-fuelled feel to it.

     I am a huge fan of the way that Jeff has structured this book. How the pacing is able to take the story & plot development and character development weave them in and out of each other all the while moving the story ever forward. We get to see the story split between Mother and the father/daughter duo and it's done so well and the breaks between allow each story to still feel like they are progressing at their natural pace. It is so well done and it is so accessible that sometimes you forget that the breaks occur or that the characters have gone to a new point in their story evolution. This is something I see from Jeff that I don't see from anyone else and it's why he can be so prolific with his writing, he's literally that just good.

     Dustin's work here has grown by leaps and bounds since he first started and when we got to that two page spread I practically gasped out loud at the imagery on the page. It is an utterly gorgeous piece and it just leaves the reader in awe of what it took to make it come to life. The utilisation of the page layout and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a marvellous eye for storytelling. The composition inside the panels with how we see the people, the backgrounds and the overall zen of it is remarkable. The colour work is equally as brilliant and that this is watercolours which he does in such a way that make so many different hues and tones is breathtaking.
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     With every event now matter how large or how small that we see within this book the answers we get only beget more questions. I love that too since of course it means that I have to come back, there is no question regarding that. This book has that feeling of a romantic fantasy which belies the violence and atrocities being committed. Everywhere I turn I am intrigued and excited by what we see and how it's presented, now how often can you say that?

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Planet of the Nerds #04

7/30/2019

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Planet of the Nerds #04
Ahoy Comics 2019
Written by Paul Constant
Illustrated by Alan Robinson
Coloured by Felipe Sobreiro
Lettered by Rob Steen


     Feeling like misfits in 2019, the thawed-out jocks from the '80s hatch a plan for revenge on the rich and powerful nerd who froze them. PLUS! As the 21st century dawns, Jenny considers moving to the big city to write for one of those new-fangled "blogs." Will her mom approve? EXTRA! AHOY's familiar assortment of text and illustrations.

    The concept behind this book is solid, intriguing and incredibly humorous as Chad shows all his true colours here. He's the one that takes the other two and gets them into trouble with his mouth and his actions, my mother would've said he's a bad influence. Regardless as Drew and Steve try to cope with him, his actions and the fact that all Drew's heroes, OJ and Bill Cosby, have so disastrously fallen from grace doesn't help the situation.

     One of the things that Paul is doing with this story so far is that he's portraying them as actual teenagers who have no clue as to what they are doing. They aren't nerds, they aren't all that smart and with Chad around it's hard to come up with a solid plan to figure out what their next move should be. Oh and the boys walking in on Jenny who wasn't expecting them for a while yeah that's classic but it does lead to one of the best coming out scenes we've seen outside the movies, all gay men are named Mark, Rick or Steve but still it's a total Love Simon kind of thing and it's nicely done. Overall they are like fish out of water and their only lure is the one put them in this position.

     The way that Paul has this structured and how he utilises the pacing to take the story & plot development and character development weaves them together and separately so they are constantly moving forward showcases his skill and talent as a writer. Also I very much like how we see the boys interacting with the technology of their future, our present. Computers, tablets and phones, oh my. The boys are like bulls in a china shop for sure but they are grasping all that is happening here in bits and pieces so that is a nice way of catching them up to speed.

     Alan's work on the interiors here is interesting to me. There is almost a caricature element to the work at times that takes the exaggerated faces, Chad with his Jughead nose and that protruding chin for example, that actually work well when it's done. The linework is solid and the way he is composing the panels with or without backgrounds—yes Paul utilise more of them please—how we see the setup in each one and how the attention detail in them is prominent shows a stupendous eye for storytelling. Ah poor Steve not even a happy trail? I know he's like around 17 but even then I was getting chest hair and so my legs, pits and trail were well noticeable. I love the colour work here as well and seeing the letterman jackets in their shades of purple and yellow are fantastic and how they change hues depending on the lighting is impressive. The utilisation of the light sources to create shading and shadows is well done. The colour blocking and it's placement look amazing, those bricks yeah they almost look like gradation thanks to how it is applied. Totally impressive package here.

     So Jenny is both saviour and frustrated with the boys already. That they don't understand what she's been through is the frustrating part and to see her take that out on Steve wasn't the least bit fair but hey everyone has a breaking point. The real life aspect of the characters is another thing about this book that draws me in. it is nice to see that this level of storytelling isn't just wham bam here they are being amazing and super skilled & smart no it's about what a normal teenager would do.
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     This has the potential to be one of the best franchises around and I hope that we continue to get arcs for as long as these fine folks have stories to tell.

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Killer Groove #3

7/30/2019

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Killer Groove #3
Aftershock Comics 2019
Created & Written by Ollie Masters
Created & Illustrated by Eoin Marron
Coloured by Jordie Bellaire
Lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou


     The mayhem continues as Jackie finds herself rubbing shoulders with Jonny's high-flying musician friends when she's hired to track down an old blues musician's gui-tar.

     I like this book a whole hell of a lot and it's precisely because it really doesn't fit into anything that is familiar. It is definitely out there and as such it's extremely thought provoking and engages the reader in some exceptional ways. There is most assuredly some diverse characters here and since it is the 70's that's something that stands out, now if we get a few gay men in this as well I would be even happier. But that is something else entirely.

     I like the way that this is being told. Ollie has this structured so that we can follow a few paths throughout and be surprised a few times at the twists and turns they take. The pacing for this is wonderfully done as it takes the story & plot development and the character development forever moving forward. How all of this works together as both the story and characterisation weave in and out of each other is so well handled.

     I love Raǔl and the way he opened the door and completely cocked the one guy. This is a character who is going to be incredibly underrated as the series keeps moving forward. I mean with what he does for Jackie he's pretty much everywhere and knows a hell of a lot more than anyone will ever suspect. Now this guy has a past that's hit upon and a future that well is pretty much unlimited and I have to say he's the most exciting character here. Still the character development here is sensational and the way that we see the characters not only interact with one another but how they actually fit into the story and how they move it forward. Ollie is writing on hell of an impressive story if ya ask me as he's assembled a cast of characters all of whom are more than they appear to be.

     The interiors here are actually very well done. There is something about the linework and style with which Eoin has that really makes this stand out. There is some beautiful attention to detail going on within these pages and the guitars for example or the way we see backgrounds have this really nice way of bringing the focus out and getting to admire the setting the characters find themselves in. the utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective show a good, strong, solid eye for storytelling. The colour work here is rather delightful to see. I appreciate the way we see light sources utilised to create the shading and shadows. The way colour blocking is handled is nice to see and even instances of some gradation, mainly in the blood we see, all conspire to really bring out the best in the linework.

     I love the creativity and imagination that we see in every facet of the storytelling here. From the writing to the interiors, I mean hippies and their outfits, cocaine and booze, agents galore and murder most appropriate, I would've said foul but hey. Honestly I could hear The Doors playing in my head during the party so yeah it all completely works for me. I also like how the characters seem to know one another and cross paths every so often which is and isn't coincidental, after I don't coincidences actually exist, making what we see just that much more interesting.
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     Aftershock is home to some stellar storytelling who's creators think outside the box and deliver some wonderfully entertaining stories. This book showcases that and more, after all reading should be fun and take you on an adventure you wouldn't have otherwise and Ollie and Eoin certainly accomplish that.

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Crackdown #3

7/29/2019

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Picture
Crackdown #3
Dynamite Entertainment 2019
Written by Jonathan Goff
Illustrated by Ricardo Jaime
Coloured by Assis Leite
Lettered by Taylor Esposito
Special Thanks to Jamie Zink


     FULL-THROTTLE!!! HIGH-OCTANE!!! WIDE-SCREEN ACTION!!! A city has gone dark. Four heroes stand against chaos. And the odds are stacked against them. Without their Skills and down a man, a noble team of Agents fights to bring law and order to a near-future metropolis in the grip of a powerful enemy. As riots spread and violence escalates, the Agents’ training will be put to the test. But help is on the way! And maybe—just maybe—the odds are about to shift in the favour of justice! The adrenaline-fuelled, larger-than-life world of CRACKDOWN comes to life in the penultimate chapter of the hit video game series’ first comic book mini-series.

     When I make my weekly list of books that I want to review there are those that I WANT to read and review and this is one of those. When I read the first issue I knew this was not an ordinary book but had all these elements to it that I wanted to explore, that I wanted to see more of and that captured the imagination beautifully. That this is a video game doesn't mean a thing to me as I don't game so that it got me involved solely based on the storytelling, written & visual, means that this really is more than just your average book.

     There are a few things about the way that this story is being told that I find utterly sensational and while I saw what was coming with Subcommander Rollins it had to play out. After all it's just a little too convenient to have them here so quickly. While that may have been a tad predictable nothing else about this was and that's what I call balance. Still the way that Jonathan has this structured is extremely well done and a joy to see unfold. The pacing is amazing and how it takes the the story & plot development and the character development and weaves them together, in and around each other all the while moving forward shows some strong skill and talent.

     I am a huge fan of the interior artwork here. The linework is stunning and how we see the varying weights manipulated and utilised to create this superb attention to detail is fantastic. The lines that make up the faces and the facial features are exquisite and bring so much extra characterisation to what we see. The utilisation of backgrounds that we see here really do have that impact of enhancing the moments as well as bringing a size and scope to the story, the city and this world. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a stellar eye for storytelling. The colour work here is just as impressive and when we see the red glow of the holographic projection and how it's casts that glow as a light source that is some impressive work. The shading, the hues, the gradation and colour blocking here are so perfectly executed and just finish the work off as if one person did all the work on the interiors.

     I adore the fact that this team was caught in the EMP blast that shorted out their suits and have to rely upon their training, skills and gumption as regular folks do. Take that advantage away wasn't done by accident nope that was some skilful planning if what I suspect is true. What better way to ensure that Terranova Corp. can play the hero and take out the Agency's agents at the same time. Proving that they are supposed to be trustworthy. I like that some characters on this team are already putting the pieces together and this why I adore the lack of technology at their disposal. This way we get to see the characters evolve and be who they are at their core.
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     Dynamite is always so darn impressive with their creative teams and the franchises they obtain.

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