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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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Robyn Hood: Justice #1

7/31/2020

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Robyn Hood Justice #1
Zenescope Entertainment 2020
Written by Chuck Dixon
Illustrated by Babisu Kourtis
Coloured by Juan Manuel Rodriguez
Lettered by Taylor Esposito

    Robyn, still an outlaw vigilante, and being hunted by all forms of law enforcement, now knows who is responsible for systematically picking apart her life. Still unable to show her face in public, or rely on her closest friends, she must find a way to set things right and clear her name once and for all. With her world constantly crashing down around her, and new threats popping up, will Robyn have what it takes to keep going and survive this new set of problems and punish those who did this to her?

    I am thoroughly enjoying how we are seeing this part of Robyn’s life.  I mean from the moment her friend and cohort was shot with an arrow and the blame was placed solely upon Robyn she’s been on the run.  The fact that this hasn’t been cleaned up in one arc is fantastic to me because that means Chuck, who really is among the best writers in the business, understands that that isn’t realistic.  So instead each chapter of her quest to clear her name and actually take down the real bad guy is being told in these amazing arcs.  

    The opening for this issue is fantastic!  I used to be one of those people who hated to really clean, everything had its place and it was what I referred to as organised chaos.  So being able to relate to the pair of them in that regard is fantastic though I am at an age and stage in my life where I am more than a little repulsed by what we see.  There really is something about Mayor Nyguen and her rise to power within the city of New York and how she keeps amassing more and more through these underhanded dealings.  

    How 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.  It allows us to follow the events along without interruption or having to wonder where anything came from.  The character development that we see is phenomenal and to watch the characters grow and evolve through the dialogue as well as the situations and circumstances they encounter is great to see.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way we see how everything works together to create the books ebb & flow.

    The interiors here are gorgeous!  I love how we see the strength in the linework and how the varying weights are being utilised to showcase the attention to detail.  It has such a classic comic book vibe to it and yet slightly more elevated once we see all the colour work being added. I like how we see backgrounds being utilised and how they not only enhance the moments but they really flesh out scenes and personalities, bring this great depth perception, sense of scale and this 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 solid eye for storytelling.  The colour work is fantastic.  How we see the hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is wonderfully rendered.  I mean to see the faces and how the colours are utilised it’s really nice to see. 
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    I think this is one of the stronger books out there and Robyn with all her dysfunctionality we really see a complete character.  I would stack her up against any counterpart and bet on her, regardless of the team or company they come from.  This is what a modern superhero book could and should be!

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Grit #1

7/30/2020

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Grit #1
Scout Comics 2020
Written by Brian Wickman
Illustrated by Kevin Castaniero
Coloured by Simon Gough
Lettered by Micah Myers

    When a routine troll hunting gig takes a gruesome turn, Old Man Barrow finds himself in the company of a wannabe doomsday cult. Just how's he going to get out of this backwoods nightmare? Well, that axe ain't just for show.

    This is a book that comes out of nowhere but doesn’t stay there long.  There is this charm and wit that I wasn’t expecting as a darker sense of humour, for me it’s akin to British humour and that’s my sensibility.  I am continually impressed with the choices Scout makes when it comes to what they offer us.  It would seem as if they know the moment they see that it needs to be among the masses.  I like what we have seen thus far as it sets up what the story is about beautifully and it leaves wanting to see and know more.  

    Right off the bat we do see how the Trolls just south of civilisation are important to the locals.  We are also introduced to our main character and it doesn’t take long for the reader to see just what kind of man he is.  It is fun, interesting and full of surprises of the best kind and I wish that this had been one of those double sized issues solely for selfish reasons that I wanted to see more.  I like 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 not only presented beautifully but it also moves everything forward beautifully as well.  The character development is great and as we see the men who hired Barrow show their true colours it becomes increasingly clear why he was hired in the first place.  The situations and circumstances that he finds himself in really give us these massive opportunities to really get to know him.  The pacing here is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way it’s easy to see how everything works together to create the books ebb & flow.

    The way that this is structured is fantastic and how we see the layers within it coming together is really exceptionally well done.  How this is being told all around makes it much more intriguing and much more interesting than I had expected it to be. 

    The artwork is pretty stylised and it works extremely well for this book.  I do wish we’d see more backgrounds being utilised throughout, I think that they really enhance the story and help bring us depth perception, scale and that overall sense of size and scope to the story.  The linework is really nice though and I am totally enjoying how it does bring out the details that we see.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a really nice solid eye for storytelling.  The colour work we see is pretty nice as well.  I do like how we see the browns through their hues and tones with the pops of bright colour it makes for something fun visually.  
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    There is a great usage of creativity and imagination that we see throughout the entire issue.  There are some truly memorable and unexpected moments that make this a heck of a lot more fun than you might realise should be here.  These quirky books are probably the best things on stands right now and I gotta say these are the ones that you really need to be looking out for.  They are amazingly well written and illustrated and I cannot get over just how excited I get each time I see a book from Scout hitting stands!  

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Hotell #3

7/28/2020

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Hotell #3
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.

    Welcome to the Hotell California, any time of year, you can find it here….  Yeah this really is apropos and I have to say this is creepier than anything the song suggests.  I absolutely LOVE what John is doing here with this concept, story and the book overall.  This is the modern equivalent of House of Mystery when Cain was the host.  That is how it feels to me, it checks off all the boxes we want when it comes to a horror book with a host where the Hotell itself is such a mystery and god cannot help you should you find it.

    I love the way that this is being told.  The story & plot development we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is laid down so expertly well.  With the way that this is structured highlights just how important certain moments are to how we see what’s going on.  I love seeing Sean again and hearing him tell his story to Kristen.  This leads me to the character development that we see here.  The personalities on display are amazing in how fully formed they feel and how they continue to demonstrate their ever evolving traits.  The overall anxiety and obsession that we see here from different folks is without a doubt showcases some of the most extraordinary writing I have seen.  The pacing is superb and how we see it take us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way shows how well that everything works together to create the story’s ebb & flow.

    I am so utterly impressed with this book.  The creators and the company that is putting this out as the market needs books like this right now.  The industry needs this level of talent and quality in every aspect of it’s storytelling to be seen and enjoyed.  I am putting every ounce of support behind this and if you don’t enjoy then I dunno what to say.

    The interiors here are phenomenal!  The linework is truly exquisite and how we see the varying weights being utilised to bring out the detail that we see here is really quite extraordinary.  How we see the backgrounds being utilised here enhance the moments, add elements of mood, tone and feel to the scenes as well as bring us this great depth perception, sense of scale and that overall sense of size and scope to the book.  The colour work is divine!  How we see the flashback colours being more sepia toned like an old photograph and yet still show that amazing shading, highlights and shadow work is impressive.  The hues and tones that we see within the colours being utilised to create the shadows, highlights and shading from light sources or the creation of light sources is really amazing.
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    If John’s going to keep himself in this horror genre lane then I fully support this decision.  The smoothness of the storytelling lulls you into this false sense of security until these moments come that can shake you to your core.  Full of suspense and tension filled encounters this is the kind of storytelling that should win awards, and I do mean from the writing, artwork and lettering here.

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Sweet Heart #2

7/28/2020

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Sweet Heart #2
Action Lab Danger Zone 2020
Written by Dillon Gilbertson
Illustrated by Francesco Iaquinta
Coloured by Marco Pagnotta
Lettered by Saida Temofonte

    8 years after the events of Issue 1, Maddie just wants to live a normal life. Unfortunately, she has to deal with public ridicule for the monster that follows her and struggles with contempt for her parents’ decision to conceive her into a “feeder family”.

    Last issues rush to tell the story Maddie’s father has brought us to this point.  This issue is so much stronger than the first one which in all honesty is a good thing and it’s why when a premise is intriguing you give it more than the initial look see.  The second issue is going to make it or break it for me and this has made it!  This issue felt just about perfect to me in how it moves the story forward, how Maddie asks the right questions and just how frustrated she is at everyone for various reasons.  Sure the sins of the father might have been passed down to her and it’s entirely unwanted, then again who would want it, and she has to reconcile that within herself and really deal with the situation at hand.  There are so many moments within this book I want to scream at characters, much like we do at the cinema or at the telly, and this kind of behaviour is what sets this apart as something where the connection between the reader and the character has become an unshakable bond.  

    The way that this is being told is sensational!  The story & plot development we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information keep the story moving forward beautifully.  I am also a huge fan of the way that as the story moves forward the reader is able to possibly pick up cues about possible reasons why things happen.  It is the little things that happen which kind of speak volumes and it makes this that much more enjoyable, at least for me.  The character development that we see here is marvellous.  How the circumstances and situations that arise are dealt with as well as how the characters interact with their dialogue shows us there is depth to the characters we haven’t seen yet.  The pacing is great and as it moves us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way we see how everything works together to create the books ebb & flow.

    With a story such as this you need a very good and stylised form of art for the interiors.  Francesco and Marco make quite the team here and they do some pretty astounding work together.  I like how we see the linework here and how it is utilised to bring out the attention to detail.  This is what makes the faces and facial expressions able to express such verve.  The way we see backgrounds being utilised and how they give the book it’s depth perception, sense of scale and that overall sense of size of the story.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a strong, talented eye for storytelling.  The colour work we see here is great!  How we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is done extremely well.  I love the techniques that we see utilised to lay the colours down as well as that tends to add more dimension to the people and places.
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    This is different from anything else you’ll see on stands.  The writing is wonderful and how we see the layers within the story and knowing that the heat is burning just under the caldera is thrilling.  I mean who doesn’t like it when it all explodes in violent outburst?  I cannot wait to see what these folks have in store for us next it’s sure to add even further layers of intensity!

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Shang #2

7/28/2020

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Shang #2
Zenescope Entertainment 2020
Written by Nick Bermel
Illustrated by Daniel Mainé
Coloured by Grostieta
Lettered by Carlos M. Mangual

    Before Shang was the mentor to the Guardian of the Nexus, bear witness as his past is finally revealed!  The war for the Imperial throne is coming to an end.  Shang, the last of his dynasty, seemed nearly invincible until a new general was chosen to lead the Imperial army.  As these two strong forces race towards their inevitable clash, sinister forces plot to defeat them both.

    Last issue was a shocking revelation as Mulan was revealed and as she and Shang fought on the battlefield, Daji took advantage of their fight to send them both away through her magics.  While we spent a good deal of time getting to know the players in China and seeing what people they were, this issue sends them to a new place with new issues and new compromises.  Can Shang and Mulan find a way to put aside their differences and learn to survive in this new land or will they succumb to their new surroundings? That's the real question here.  Personally I love everything about this and seeing Shang the way he was meant to be, which if you don’t know yet then you need to read it and see for yourself, is just the icing on the cake.  

    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 moves it all forward and is presented beautifully.  How we see the events unfold has this incredible movement to them that really captures the readers’ imagination and creativity in ways that you won’t expect it to.  The character development here is amazing!  I like how their personalities shine through in every conversation, interaction and self analysis that we see in these pages.  The circumstances and situations that arise keep them on their toes and in some cases force them to change and evolve their ways.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way while showing us how everything works together to create the books ebb & flow.

    This wouldn’t work anywhere else and the setting is probably the biggest reason why.  Also this is bold and somewhat arrogant but it has power behind it and a confidence that really makes a huge difference in how we see the book.  So yeah this is why I love Zenescope because they’ve become this house of intelligent and smartly done books.

    The interiors here are absolutely beautiful.  I like how we see the linework through how the varying weights are being utilised to show off the detail work.  The patterning in the armour or how we see this landscape and everything in between shows how the devil really is in the details.  How we see the backgrounds being utilised throughout is spectacular to see.  Not only because of how they are done but because of it, they enhance the moments and bring us this great 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 such an amazingly strong eye for storytelling.  The colour work is exceptional!  How we see the hues and tones within the colours utilised to create more dimension and detail in what we see through how the shading, highlights and shadow work are done is truly magnificent.
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    This is what I have come to expect out of Zenescope these days.  Smart, intelligent writing and some kick-ass interior artwork that creates a great solid story and takes you someplace you want to go and get lost in.

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Buck Danny vol.2: The Secrets of the Black Sea

7/27/2020

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Buck Danny vol.2: The Secrets of the Black Sea
Buck Danny 45 -- Les secrets de la mer Noire
Cinebook ltd 2010
Written by Jacques De Douhet
Illustrated by Francis Bergèse
Coloured by Frédéric Bergèse
Imadjinn sarl

    It is the end of the Cold War—supposedly the era of glasnost and perestroika. The Soviet Union is about to come apart at the seams. Buck Danny is sent as an observer and adviser to help the Russian army deal with its arsenal of nuclear weapons and some of its rogue units. But old Communist habits die hard, and some of the Red Army hardliners have other plans. The pilot finds himself over the Black Sea, where he locates some unusual prototypes.

    This is my new favourite series.  It also holds the dubious distinction of being one of my highly recommended all time favourite series, it is in my top 5 series now and if this doesn’t tell you how good it is then I don’t know what will.  There is something absolutely magical about the book, it’s characters and how everything comes together and creates this stunning story that is for everyone, not just fans of war books and stories.  I am such a fan of this and I cannot believe it’s taken me this long to find it.  When I talked to Jerome about working with them I already had one title that I really liked and wanted to review, then I thought let’s try this one too, nearly an afterthought but ya know sometimes you find something truly and utterly amazing when you aren’t looking for it or expecting it.

    The way this is being told is perfectly done.  The story & plot development keeps moving forward through how we see the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information, all of which is presented extremely well.  How the story is woven in, through, around and entwined with the character development that we see just impresses me like so few can.  The character development we see through the situations and circumstances that they find themselves in continues to have them grow and evolve as people.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages pulling back the layers of the story and revealing the twists and turns along the way is expertly rendered.  How we see the structure of the book, with its layers and multiple locations and the introduction of new characters is done so well.  Everything we see here works together to create the ebb & flow for the book and I gotta say it’s a joy to read a 54 page book that doesn’t feel so long when it's being read.

    The interiors here are so incredibly mind bogglingly well done.  The linework is divine and how we see the various techniques and weight within the linework and how this showcases the attention to the detail work is astounding.  The devil’s in the details, that’s the saying right?  Well I wouldn’t be surprised if he made a deal with the devil for this level of talent and skill that he demonstrates.  From how we see the various aircraft and how well detailed and shown that they are to the characters with their own unique individual quirks, you have to see them for yourself, it all has this incredible consistency to it.  How we see backgrounds being utilised is wonderfully done and they not only enhance the moments or show us how tight quarters can be they bring us this great 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 such a masterful eye for storytelling.  The colour work is divine.  It really manages to bring us that old school feel and yet how the hues and tones within the colours are being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is sublime.  There is a true mastery of craft that we see here and how to inherently know how the shading should be and how the colours work on the subtle side is breathtaking.
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    This is going to be the one book you think you’ll skip or pass on that will gnaw in the back of your mind till you pick one up.  Then it’ll all be over.  This is so masterfully written, and gorgeously illustrated it reminds you that this is why comics were created in the first place.

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Chu #1

7/27/2020

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Chu #1
Image Comics 2020
Created, Written & Lettered by John Layman
Illustrated by Dan Boultwood

    “THE FIRST COURSE,” Part One
   TONY CHU is a cibopath, able to get psychic impressions from what he eats. SAFFRON CHU is a cibopars, able to learn secrets from who she eats with. Tony is a cop. Saffron is a criminal. They are brother and sister, and they are on a collision course. Spinning out of the multiple Eisner Award-winning and New York Times bestselling series CHEW comes CHU, a felonious new food noir about cops, crooks, cooks, and clairvoyants.

    I know that this is already going into a second printing and here I am late to the party.  That’s okay really because if you are like me you can still pick this u and understand everything that is going on.  This is new reader friendly and it really is a great introductory issue to a new series.  I found this fun, entertaining and full of the kind of humour that I do rather enjoy seeing.  I am left feeling intrigued by what is going to come next, I am overjoyed by the wide array of characters that we’ve met thus far and I am certainly interested in seeing how some of these  situations are going to play out.

    The way that this is being told is fantastic.  This being my introduction and that we open up with Mr. Boss I found myself drawn in rather quickly.  Also the code name thing reminds me of Dick Tracy a bit and I have to say I found myself digging that.  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 character development is sensational and I really am enjoying how we see the personalities emerge.  Saffron is a great little character and there are so many moments we see her and think something is up but can’t quite put your finger on it but it adds this air of mystery about her that is fascinating.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists & turns along the way we see how everything works together to create the books ebb & flow.

    The overall aesthetic of the book is sensational; it has all the right notes arranged to create a beautiful symphony.  It is just the right blend of silly and serious that makes you sit up and take notice and that’s precisely what a good book should do.  It also holds the distinction that every single time you read it, and you will re-read this quite a bit, it still has the same effect on the reader.

    The interiors here are well rendered.  The linework is great and we see varying weights being utilised to bring about the detail work we see.  Granted I would like to see more but hey this style isn’t always suited for that and I have to remember to love it for what it is.  The faces and facial expressions are fantastic and do wonders in furthering the characterisation.  The backgrounds are extremely well utilised, inserting that kitty was genius, and they do bring us this nice depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope for the book.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a good, strong eye for storytelling.  The colour work is great and there is this really nice mix of techniques and applications.
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    This is a great book and it’s one of the reasons why there is so much diversity on the stands.  A little bit of everything for any and every mood you are in.  With some stellar writing, great layers being entwined throughout and some absolutely delightful interiors this is the hit of the summer.

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Power Rangers: Ranger Slayer #1

7/26/2020

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Power Rangers Ranger Slayer #1
Boom! Studios 2020
Written by Ryan Parrott
Illustrated by Dan Mora
Coloured by Raul Angulo
Lettered by Ed Dukeshire

    The Ranger Slayer -- AKA Kimberly Hart, the Pink Mighty Morphin Power Ranger from the alternate universe once ruled by Lord Dakkon -- returns home and nothing is like she expected. In a world that only knows her as a villain, can Kimberly show her universe that she's become a hero... and is that even the right thing to do? Confronted by a terrifying new version of an old enemy, and with her home in chaos, Kimberly will make a stunning choice that no Power Rangers fan can miss. This issue is also a perfect jumping on point for new readers -- and sets the stage for the next Power Rangers epic!

    I don’t normally read the Power Rangers, they were after my time growing up, and I never really understood the appeal.  Ryan however is a damn fine writer and I have enjoyed his work on these titles and it makes me want to read more.  This is a take I have never seen and honestly I think I’ve been missing out because this is pretty darn amazing to see.  There is this amazing amount of darkness balanced by light and the whole realistic attitudes I see coming from the characters just make this such a strong and amazing read.

    I really like the way that this is being told.  How we see the story & plot development moving forward through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented beautifully.  The character development we see is utterly amazing as we see little bits of information given over time to generate even more interest in the characters and the way we become so engaged and invested in them is pretty sensational.  The situations and circumstances they find themselves in are so naturally presented and they seem to raise the intrigue factor exponentially.  The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way shows us how everything works together to create the story’s ebb & flow.  

    The way that this is structured, how we see the layers within it and all the surprise moments that leave you mouth agape well it’s what we as readers’ live to experience.  Ryan is probably the most underrated writer around now and it’s because he’s at Boom! Or elsewhere so folks you need to wake up more and find these series’!

    Absolutely loving the interior artwork here.  The linework is exquisite, the opening sets up what we can expect to see throughout and the varying techniques and varying weights of the linework we see being utilised enhances the detail work.  The way that the panels are being utilised with the backgrounds and how full they look enhance the moments beautifully and bring us this amazing depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope of the story.  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 work is gorgeously rendered.  The choices are phenomenal and how we see them utilised to set the mood, tone and feel is perfectly done.  The way we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is beyond amazing.  
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    This story is really spectacular and how we see this makes it feel like a brand new franchise instead of something that’s a twist on a pre-existing one.  There’s a delicious darkness and anger woven throughout and the intrigue of what we see and what could possibly come next makes me shiver with anticipation.  Folks even if you aren’t a Power Rangers fan you are going to love this, I promise you this!

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Canto & The Clockwork Fairies

7/26/2020

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Canto & The Clockwork Fairies
IDW Publishing 2020
Written by David M. Booher
Illustrated by Drew Zucker
Coloured by Vittorio Astone
Lettered by Deron Bennett

    CANTO’S SAGA CONTINUES…..
   Freed from the Shrouded Man’s captivity, Canto leads his people on an exodus away from Arcana and toward their lost homeland. On the way, Canto and his Malorex enjoy a day of fun. When their games take them into the clutches of a dangerous new threat, can they liberate a gentle race of fairies without losing their new freedom in the process?

    There really is a reason that this is so beloved.  Canto is one of those rare beings who comes along at just the right time who’s message of love, hope and compassion is needed more than anyone realises.  He is David and the world around him is his Goliath but as The Beatles sang, I get by with a little help from my friends & friends are all you need.  So I adore that we have this one shot that bridges the gap between the first and second arc.  The way that the boys and IDW are doing this is phenomenal in that they are allowing for this kind of freedom in the way it is being told.  Arc runs are a great way to put out a book that isn’t monthly and yet has all these plans for adventure with the character.

    I adore 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 not only presented perfectly but I am loving how it all moves everything forward.  The character development is phenomenal to see.  Canto keeps growing and changing into such a fine leader among his people and that he still seems to somehow retain that innocence and naivete while facing the circumstances and situations he finds himself in is beyond anything we have the right to expect.  The pacing here is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way we see how everything works together to create the books ebb & flow.

    Aside from the fact they have created this character, this world and those who inhabit it with such perfection the way the book has been layered within the story is sensational.  That we find ourselves connecting with and finding a place in our hearts for Canto remains to be one of the most exceptional things happening.  I’d like to see a homage to that Robin cover with the Sensational Character Find of…  and yes Reading With a Flight Ring will support/fund the creation of that variant cover.

    The interiors here are phenomenal as well.  The creativity and imagination we see within these pages is mindbogglingly well rendered.  The linework is exquisite and how the varying weights are being utilised alongside some really nice techniques really showcases the lovely detail work we see.  How backgrounds are being utilised to not only enhance the moments but to bring us some wonderful depth perception, this 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 such a marvellously talented eye for storytelling.  I think the colour work here is divine. How we see various techniques in application to show this really creative utilisation of the hues and tones within any given colour to create the shading, highlights and shadow work show more than some impressive talent.
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    That this is a one-shot to fill in some blanks between arcs 1 & 2 is something that I wouldn’t have expected to see.  So that fact alone is something to pay attention to.  Also that fans cannot get enough of Canto doesn’t hurt either.  This is perfect for those of you who haven’t read the first arc yet as it works as much as a stand alone story as it does keeping older fans in the loop.  Smartly written with intelligent characterisation and a real showcase of talent all around this is what everyone should be reading.

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Bliss #1

7/25/2020

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Bliss #1
Image Comics 2020
Written by Sean Lewis
Illustrated by Caitlin Yarsky

    The team behind hit comic COYOTES returns for an all-new, two-arc maxi-series. There's a drug called Bliss wiping away memories in Feral City. A good-hearted young man, overwhelmed by a deathly sick child and distraught wife, makes a deal to become the personal hitman to three gods, killing those in their way and sending memories down the river of Oblivion in exchange for his family’s well-being. Breaking Bad meets Neil Gaiman's Sandman in an urban fantasy unlike any you've ever seen.

    This is a very intriguing book and I am not altogether sure what it is I have just read and I am okay with that.  This does an excellent job in getting the reader engaged in the story, I mean seriously you get invested before the last word of the first page, and making them want to see more.  The fact that we aren’t privy to what has caused this uproar, at least not yet, is fantastic as it lets the reader speculate and wonder which of course is engaging your mind.  It is so intelligent and smartly rendered that it feels highbrow and yet completely accessible as well.

    I am a huge fan of the way that this is being told.  How we see the story & plot development through the way the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented perfectly.  The character development is phenomenal and how we see the characters being presented versus how we see them in the situations and circumstances they find themselves in is so contrastingly smart.  The pacing here is superb and how it takes us through the pages revealing the story as well as the twists and turns along the way showcase how everything works together in creating the ebb & flow.

    How we see the book being structured is great.  The way that we see the story move throughout the pages is captivating to me.  There is this familiar yet ethereal quality to what we see as the division in class and the prejudices that result are on full display here.  There are few words I could choose to adequately describe the way I experience what I am reading here.  It is strong, resonates and leaves a very powerful impression upon me and I’m betting you’ll have your own that’s unique to you.  

    The interiors here are amazingly well done.  The linework we see is gorgeous and there are some great strong, bold lines and some soft and delicate lines that weave around and through each other as they create the attention to detail that we see.  Also the backgrounds here make me so very happy and how they add to the scenes and the moments as well as bring this depth perception, sense of scale and that overall sense of size and scope to the book.  The creativity and imagination in what we see and the sheer expertise of how the panels are filled is what helps make this a truly magical read.  The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such a talented eye for storytelling.  The colour work is divine!  The choice of colours and then how we see the various hues and tones within them being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is sensational.  This is what we love about comics and take for granted, the colours and how they work and how shades and tones help create dimension.  
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    Spectacular debut issue.  Also that this is going to be an 8 issue maxi-series, two arcs of four issues, is perfect.  It has a very definite ending and they plan on telling a complete story and in today’s industry I think that is fantastic.  This is engaging, intriguing, mystifying and fraught with danger and dilemma’s so why not come and sit a spell?

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