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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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Monster Hunters' Survival Guide Case Files: Wendigo

8/31/2018

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The Monster Hunters’ Survival Guide
Case Files: Wendigo
Zenescope Entertainment 2018
Written by Joe Brusha
Illustrated by Fabio Jansen & Andres Barrero
Coloured by Juanmar Studios
Lettered by Kurt Hathaway


     Native American Indian myths tell of an ancient evil creature that stalks the wilderness feeding on the flesh of men. When people go missing in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, whispered rumors that the Wendigo is to blame brings legendary monster hunter JP Russ to the scene where he soon finds that truth is far more dangerous than myth.

     Well I can’t believe I am going to say this but I love this. Maybe Joe has listened and learned how to translate his ideas into a viable story, okay this one needs tweaking here and there but overall it has that feel of say Supernatural only set in the Zenescope Universe. I still knew way too early who the Wendigo was and that’s a shame but it isn’t enough to ruin the story or anything. I was kind of taken with the opening here and anytime you can tie the story into the history of the very land the way that we see it done here not only raises the interest factor exponentially but I have to give major props for understanding that it wasn’t until man arrived and treated the land like something to own and destroy that it would rise up to fight back.

     Plus the aftermath of the attack is what we get to see not even the attack itself which in some ways is much more powerful as well as scary. Vesper and her team are called in and it’s only been one week since the attack. Turns out that the guy who runs the place, Mr. Irons, his son is still up at the site and for closure he needs to know what happened to his son. Plus well this is what Vesper and her team do so who ya gonna call right. It has been a while since we’ve seen any of the Monster Hunter stories so I like that we don’t spend a lot of time here getting to know each individual member as that usually proves to be a waste of time, supernatural creatures meet humans a few die it’s how the universe flows.

      Speaking of flow I really am impressed with the ebb & flow of the story here. The transitions are nicely done and there isn’t a lot wasted space at all and we get pretty much everything that we need. Okay so maybe not the background the Wendigo that I would like or more about the ancient ways of combating such a creature. Regardless while we may not get all we want it’s a one-shot issue and with that and the page count I think pacing and reveals are done very well.

     Huge fan of the interior artwork here. There are a lot of moments that remind me of some artists that I discovered growing up like James Sherman or in any of the old horror comics, more so the covers as they all had this certain style to them that blended reality and comics in a way that at the time was innovative, fresh and new and here it just seems like the most natural fit in the universe to have within these pages. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such great eyes for storytelling. That backgrounds are utilised as they are enhance the story beautifully.
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     The makes me not only want more, as in on a regular basis, but it has such a throwback appeal to it in every which way you turn that it evokes so much about classic horror that every aficionado knows and loves. Smart, interesting and using local supernatural entities to weave a story that serves no other purpose but to creep you out as it entertains yeah. Zenescope has found yet another way to be reinvigorating the horror genre.

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Dream Daddy #1

8/31/2018

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Dream Daddy #1
Oni Press 2018
Written by Wendy Xu
Illustrated by Ryan Maniulit
Lettered b Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou


      It's college reunion time! Who'd have thought that it's already been fifteen years since Keg-Stand Craig and the new Dad on the block went to college? This one's like a buddy cop comedy, only there are no cops and more avoiding old flames while trying to stifle an existential breakdown, bro.

      I will preface this with it’s a lot like Yaoi only done in and for Americans it’s based right off an interactive video game where you play a Dad and seduce other Dad’s. Now I’m old school and who knew there would be a market for such a game, after all seducing dad’s in real life is a lot harder than you’d think so being able to do it in a game well I think that gives off a false sense of security when attempting it. Now that I have done my old person venting duties lets get on with this show.

     This is a completely cute and charming little story that in some ways reminds me of a feature film that I absolutely adored, Big Eden. The opening is fantastic as we’re introduced to Bro/Dude and former roommate and his daughter. Now I don’t know much about their backgrounds but part of what makes this work is that it engages the reader in a way you wouldn’t expect. When we see them these characters have established lives already so the reader then gets the opportunity to flesh out their pasts. So while it may not be on the same level as the game the book is still immersible and interactive.

      I do like the whole overall vibe that is created here and how the ebb & flow of the story contributes to that. There are just those times where moments are created and it is up to you to decide if you will capitalise on it. I think the way that we see things reveal themselves to us and how suddenly the tension, the companionship and all the old feelings rush back to them as they try to hide them from the other. Wendy really impresses me with the writing here there is subtlety and boldness or just shyness that permeates and there are characters who are catalysts to the change that happens. All of it is wonderfully represented and yes it feels too good to be true or like something from the British Film Institute but that doesn’t diminish that wholesome feeling.

      By keeping the interiors as far from Manga as possible works to it’s advantage. As does the use of an all-ages style that isn’t afraid to show a fair amount of actual detail work. Though be careful Craig’s hand when standing there naked asking for help looks like the mannequin or reference doll that was used to create it in the first place. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a decent eye for storytelling. Just remember that backgrounds are our friends so let em stand out, expand the moment and the scope of the story. For the most part they are but don’t be afraid to do more.
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     Dadstagram heh okay that’s cute. So was the whirlwind night of unexpected romance and a little nudging from Craig’s mum the possibilities here for two dads to reunite and begin something new. Granted while New Dad has one daughter and Craig has three younger ones it would be interesting to see how this moved forward. That’s the thing though this isn’t moving forward at least not to my knowledge. I want to see what happens with these two so maybe Angel Love was ahead of her time this here isn’t and I want to finally learn his name and watch their romance grow or crash n burn.

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Beyonders #1

8/30/2018

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Beyonders #1
Aftershock Comics2018
Created & Written by Paul Jenkins
Illustrated by Wesley St. Claire
Lettered by Marshall Dillon


     A young man obsessed with crop circles and cryptography finds his boring life turned upside-down when he discovers that all of his conspiracy theories are true, sending him on the ultimate treasure hunt for an ancient secret spanning thousands of years. What is the connection between a lost mountaineer, an indecipherable manuscript, and the lost library of Alexandria? How is this connected to a one-eyed, flatulent Welsh Corgi and endless plates of corned beef sandwiches?

     I like this it has a decidedly fresh and unique spin on the genre that I wasn’t expecting to see and Paul who is a masterful storyteller already comes into this as it’s creator adding that level of excitement and love for the project and that is clearly evident within these pages, which is also infectious from a readers standpoint. The feel for this book that I get is like crossing X-Files with Kyle XY which in and of itself is pretty damn genius.

     The opening perfect. Aside from doing what it’s supposed to do, catch our attention and get the readers curiosity piqued, Paul manages to make this feel like a program on the Travel Chanel, or Discovery or any one of them in that vein. It is not only cute but it keeps raising the subject of portals, wormholes and time travel and how events tie into one another that there is no logical way within man’s current mode of thinking, they can be connected and yet the evidence is empirical. Oh it takes the mind of a teenager, one who is forming his adult brain but still has that naivete and openness to it that is required for outside the box thinking which is how the best discoveries are made.

      Well I have to say this, I was ready to proclaim this one of the most fun, unique and interesting books on stands today and that I'd never leave it. I really was and that’s because it isn’t Paul throwing conspiracy theories out there but he’s using logic, evidence and facts to back up what Jakey boy is thinking. How he’s trying to put things together and how we get to see his way of approaching things. Yes he’s not a great student and his obsession might be seen by some as immature but let’s face it he has to have a fairly good intelligence, IQ, to put events in order of occurrence and to calculate the time differences where they overlap and shouldn’t. Jakey, the way thinks, acts and just is is not something we see everyday.

     I like the interiors here Wesley manages to create some beautiful atmosphere on the page and it doesn’t matter what it is we’re looking it all has the same attention to detail to it. The house, where it is and how we see the scope is sensational and the utilisation of page layouts and how we see angles and perspective in the panels shows off a stellar eye for storytelling. Backgrounds are utilised pretty well and serve to help us expand the moments and give it a little flavour. The linework here is well utilised and it brings out Wesley’s style nicely. Jakey seems to be of a different cultural background than good old uncle Paul. I do like the creativity and imagination we see here and the interiors and the way the house is all of it has a great eye to it.
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     This is brilliantly written and illustrated and manages to capture our attention, imagination and unleashes something inside that years to be free.  

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House Amok #1

8/30/2018

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House Amok #1
Black Crown/IDW Publishing 2018
Created & Written by Christopher Sebela
Created & Illustrated by Shawn McManus
Coloured by Lee Loughridge
Lettered by Aditya Bidikar


     Ten-year-old fraternal twin Dylan Sandifer and her family have fallen down a rabbit hole full of secret implants, conspiracy theories, Mandela effects, extradimensional invaders, and organ thieves. As the attacks against them intensify, the Sandifers light out on a cross-country search for answers and salvation, blazing a bloody path of torture, arson and murder. Can young Dylan save her family from these delusions... or is this ornate conspiracy actually true? “The Sandifers are experiencing a mental condition known as folie a deux, a shared madness that will drive them to kidnap and torture strangers, burn down secret safe houses, and do whatever it takes to stay alive.”

      First of all what a glorious time to be alive that we can get stories that have meat and meanig to them that we wouldn’t normally be exposed to. Because if I hadn’t known to pay attention to the where the map is I wouldn’t have known a little more going in. The opening here does precisely what it is meant to do and that is grab your attention, pull you I and make you want to know more. Not to mention the girls are cute and honestly they look pretty darn identical here and their actions well it raises the question of when does cute end and sinister begin?

      Christopher keeps showing us time and time again his knack for storytelling is right up there among the best there is. He’s been putting out a lot of work lately like the sink on full blast and there’s no overflow or mess here it’s extremely streamlined, easy to follow and surprising in ways that well you’ll have to read to understand. The mix of characters here is so well done and while the focus may be upon these girls their parents get some nice notice and Tyler the brother he intrigues me with what we are seeing here. Why because the girls accuse him of talking to his girlfriend and yet that wasn’t a girl at all. I am hoping that means what I think it means but we’ll see how things play out as the story progresses.

     Shawn’s work on the interiors here is delightful. It has this all-ages feel to it even though it decidedly not an all-ages book and that kind of lends this weird aura of innocence surrounding the characters and the contrast is amazing to see. Lee’s colouring is just as understated, sublime and strong as everything else here. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows of a superb eye for storytelling. That backgrounds are utilised really helps to expand the story and even add more characterisation than we are getting. The creativity and imagination we see here and more so among the whole oddities is great to see.

     This is kind of twisted, dark and innocent all at the same time and I have to say it’s a damn hard combination to pull off and yet Christopher does it seemingly with ease. So much is given and yet all that is is nothing more than that which meant to entice. Scratching the surface with characterisation and personalities we get to see the family dynamic in action and there is nothing normal about them. It almost has this whole Father Knows Best flipped into the Twilight Zone which is something I could never thought of, predicted or even dreamed of creating.
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     The premise, writing, story/plot development and characterisation which is all wrapped up in this beguiling artwork will remind you that what you see isn’t always what you get.

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The Family Graves #1

8/29/2018

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The Family Graves #1
Source Point Press/Comics Experience 2018
Created & Written by Timothy Bach
Created & Illustrated by Brian Atkins
Coloured by Dijjo Lima & Brandon Daniels
Lettered by Marco Della Verde


     Meet The Family Graves--a mixed-up family of monsters who are all that stands between us and a vampire literally hungry for power and the end of all things. Phil Graves, a brilliant scientist recently turned into a werewolf, launches his monster family in a dimension-hopping race to capture magical mirrors and the energy they posses. Can he and his gorgon wife, siren daughter, fish-boy son, and an adorable zombie baby, survive a terrifying trip to a Jurassic world? And is the family in even more danger at home with a werewolf dad?

     I have to say that one of the first things I felt when I read this was it feels very Munsters if it were a modern creation. I loved that aspect and honestly it’s incredibly well written, it makes the reader feel comfortable very quickly and it does have this aura or way about it that makes it feel like it came right off one those teenage centric television programs usually found on Disney or Nickelodeon. Complete with that family dynamic I might add and while that’s a little too expected but I guess when that’s what you see that’s what you know.

     The book is structured nicely it has a very nice ebb & flow to how we see and learn about what is going on here. I wish the opening were a bit more dramatic and eye catching especially for the first issue of a brand new series/story. The goal for the opening is to pull in new readers who would open it up and look at it because with the stands so crowded these days you really that opening to moment now more than ever. Visually that house is gorgeous although it looks out of place like it’s too thin, something you’d see in San Francisco not in a suburb but it still gives us a great look at what we can expect to see moving forward.

      Once we meet the family and we get a chance to see them, learn what exactly they are and the family dynamic it’s hard not to like them. Yes even the teenage eldest female child who wants to express herself with today’s fashions you know the ones that make girls look like hookers or Brittany Spears. Actually it’s the baby that I'm most in love with already and he doesn’t even really talk but he’s hysterical nonetheless.

     The interior artwork really gives the whole story a boost. The varying weights used in the linework which is clean, crisp and strong make for great visuals. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a great eye for storytelling. I adore the way that backgrounds are being utilised and that they are getting the same amount of attention to detail that everything else does. Plus the creativity and imagination on display here is beyond marvellous and a key component in how we see just how awesome the story.

     This issue doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of this world. Is the whole world full of people who represent some aspect of the monster community or are there regular people peppered here and there as well? I think that the dad being a scientist who really wanted solve problems beyond his means well that part is intriguing because it’s obviously made him a very rich man, who lives more like the middle than elite class. So aside from the fantastical I am hoping that we’ll see more practical science as the book progresses.
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     This if fun and it has this nice undercurrent that belies what’s on the surface and for me this is what it’s all about!

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Aberrant #3

8/28/2018

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Aberrant #3
Action Lab Danger Zone 2018
Written by Rylend Grant
Illustrated by Davi Leon Dias
Coloured by Iwan Joko Triyono
Lettered by HdE


     CHAPTER 3: HOLD ON FOR ONE MORE DAY. Acting on a tip from a mysterious and very prolific mole inside the NORCO organization, David infiltrates an enemy warehouse where he is forced to square off with a terrifyingly twisted aberrant monster. World, meet the true 8th wonder of the world… ROOK. Featuring the music of Wilson-Phillips.

     This only features one of their songs and now its an earworm that I want to smack somebody upside the head for. Otherwise I have to say this was a pretty amazing issue. Honestly I thought I was going to get annoyed a few times but it feels very much within character and within the story to see things the way that Rylend put them. So the structure of the story is extremely well done and the many back and forth moments here actually work in his favour, Rylend’s, because if it were too few or a few more then things wouldn’t be as impactful as they are now.

     I find it very interesting to see the mindset of a man whose machismo is such that being an Aberrant has given him the idea that he’d forever be unbeatable. Relying upon that which makes him special to solve his problems, many of which he creates himself. Rylend does a truly magnificent job on the characterisation here and showing us the swift and sudden seeming downfall of a man and his ego. I was kind of shocked, elated and saddened to see David go through as much as he does in a single solitary issue. That being said however this is a remarkably strong depiction through the writing and illustration.

     What is it with straight (?) guys and bathroom humour? I mean is it funny, it can be I suppose but it should really serve a purpose other than to throw it in there. Now the drivers reaction and description to what he smells that’s where I laughed out loud! Otherwise I'm not really sure its there at all perhaps that’s just me. This scene does something for me that I wasn’t expecting and that’s a new character or aberrant in and of itself I suppose but he’s something that comes out of a conglomeration of slasher films though I like to think he’d fit into the Hatchet universe extremely well. I love when the unexpected happens!

     Also I love the interiors here. I am impressed by the way that the varying weights in the linework are used to be strong and bold while still being able to denote a lot musculature. The attention to detail that we see is fantastic, like stress fractures in the vehicles or in the way clothes fit heck even stubble or hair for that matter all have this nice appeal to them. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a nice eye for storytelling. For the most part I am pretty happy with the way backgrounds are utilised, there are a few places I would’ve appreciated seeing them but overall it’s well handled.
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     With strong characterisation and incredibly fun banter dialogue that we see not to mention learning how David’s parents died all conspire for some compelling reading. This isn’t your average fare and I think that’s what I like most about it. It is different and unique from anything else you are currently reading and that should make you sit up and take notice. While David struggles to come to terms with his own mortality and find his place in the world there’s still a job to be done if he can pick himself up and stop feeling sorry for himself.

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Shanghai Red #3

8/28/2018

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Shanghai Red #3
Image Comics 2018
Written by Christopher Sebela
Illustrated by Joshua Hixson
Lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou


     Red was shanghaied out of Portland three years ago. No she’s come back on a dead man’s boat to punish the ones who stole her away from her life and her family. After arriving back home to find her mother dead and her sister Katie working for the crimps who stole her, Red exacts revenge on Kurilla and Jones, the two men who dropped her through a trapdoor all those years ago. Wounded and dazed, torn between herself and Jack—the man she’d been living as to keep herself alive—Red’s still got more bodies to gather until she’s whole again.

     This issue showcases another aspect of Christopher’s writing that I really appreciate and that's the "down time" writing. While Red had a heck of a time in that bar fight and when everyone left to see the fire was stumbling around with nowhere to go she passes out on the street. This gives Christopher the perfect, hmm planned eh, opportunity to let us see the dreams or nightmares that have plagued her since she was dropped. This gives us, the readers, a chance to truly feel, understand and respect what she has been going through since the ordeal started. I almost wanted to say you can’t buy this kind of characterisation but we did and the yet point behind it still stands.

     I think subconsciously Red wanted to end up where she did. Regardless of if she meant to or not the girls who she passed out in front of took her in and have been hiding her from the owner while she spent two days asleep. I like the way this plays out and I know Christopher structured it this way but at this stage of the story it feels right and natural that this should occur now. The way this is structured is sensationally well done and the whole natural ebb & flow of the story and how we see events bleed into one another packs just that right kind of wallop to keep us on our toes, the edge of our seats and dying for more.

     Joshua impresses me more and more with each issue of this that comes out. We see more and more varying weights in the linework to create some fabulous subtle detail. That he’s doing the entire interiors is another spectacular aspect and bravo on those wallpaper patterns that is exceptional work. While I am never sure of the fashions in this era the fact that the ladies in this part of town are either servants with those drab lifeless frocks or well ladies who lunch either way the really capture the way of life beautifully. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such a natural eye for storytelling. The backgrounds are jaw dropping at times and the buildings were such a wow factor moment. The life that Joshua brings to this is simply sublime.

     The characterisation here is flawless. From the fighting to maintain control, to the rebellious anger ridden diatribe to the I’m a powerful bitch watch your back through the sheer arrogance that a woman or even a man would rise up against me not to mention everything in between we have it all. I love when strong personalities not clash per se but find each other and can either be beneficial to both or deadly disastrous well it’s just too much fun to see it play out. Christopher has made these characters people, people we can appreciate, recognise and like or detest and that we get to see them continually grow well that’s just a bonus.
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     This really is a magnificently told story. The right mix of drama, action, intrigue and high stakes fighting to get your life back, see revenge, that continues to thrill, entertain and admire.  

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Zinnober #3

8/28/2018

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Zinnober #3
Scout Comics 2018
Written by Thorsten Brochhaus & Ralf Singh
Pencilled by Ralf Singh
Inked by Cristian Docolomansky
Coloured by Ilaria Fella & Nic Chapuis
Lettered by Taylor Esposito


     A run in with the Followers spells trouble for our group, especially for James. It's not revenge they seek, but something far more sinister. It's up to Claire, with some help from her new friend, Andrew, and dog, Ares, to bail her partner out. But what do the Followers really want and who is the mysterious, disfigured man among them. Will the group be able to reach Portsmouth harbour in time and be able to regain control of the world from the dragons?

     I kind of miss the old Previously in the credits section. Not that its always necessary but it’s still nice to have. The opening here is wonderfully done and the short sweet moment we see Andrew alone before interrupted is nice. Amidst all the chaos surrounding them and of the Followers themselves to see something so ordinary as this really leaves an impact. However thanks to the nature of the world they live in that is way too short lived. Still this only reinforces the fact that I like the way that this book is structured. There is a superb ebb & flow the way we see what happens within these pages and that creates a very deceptive fast read. I say this because in all honesty the pacing is rather remarkable and that we learn what we do while things seem to fly by is extremely well done.

     I am also pretty impressed with how the guys manage to really tie everything together. There are different avenues that are going on but all seem to have a focus on the same things. I know I am not explaining this well enough but somehow the Followers, our group of travellers as well as those we meet in Portsmouth have these tendrils that tie them together. This world is no longer the one they knew there is a new reality and it’s unfolding, unravelling, more and more with each passing day. While I cannot explain it we all know that every time something catastrophic happens new cults and religions pop up and these Followers and their agenda are intriguingly unknown to me and that makes me want to know more.

     The interiors here are quite good. While I can excuse the lack backgrounds in some instances here that we see say the ground while the top of panel is white is a nice middle ground to their use. Innovative, fresh and one of the best examples of teamwork that I’ve seen. While the linework is crisp, clean and nicely laid down much of what I am drawn to here is through the colouring and the effect that it has. I am a huge fan of what we see here and the utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a great eye for storytelling. The attention to detail that we see is amazing and the faces and facial expressions here just compliment the characterisation.

     The story and the characterisation here is so good. It is very easy to get swept up in the proceedings here and want to know more. From the organization of these Followers and by that I mean how they’ve galvanised themselves to the folks in Portsmouth and even in Alaska and how much has changed in a short amount of time. We are exposed to just enough that we understand the current state of things but are still left wanting to know more. There are a lot of things left open ended and it’s those places that the folks here make us want to see.
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     Scout Comics is home to some of the more interesting stories on stands today. With the quality and level of storytelling that we see it’s easy to know why I am such a huge supporter of their books and why you should be too.

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Twelve Devil's Dancing #2

8/28/2018

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Twelve Devils Dancing #2
Action Lab Danger Zone 2018
Written by Erica Schultz
Illustrated by Dave Acosta
Coloured by Andrew Covalt
Colour Assists by Liana Kangas & James Savage
Lettered by Cardinal Rae


     With the body count growing, Callum and Aisha’s road trip take them to the location on the cipher. They have a plan, but Callum’s health may sideline him, leaving it up to Aisha to put the pieces together and get the evidence to arrest the Crypto-Killer. Meanwhile, Callum’s evidence tampering in the original case come to bite those still in his FBI unit back home. And Brian has a fan who’s interested in more than just his paintings. The past and present are resolved in the conclusion of Twelve Devils Dancing.

     This has been an utterly amazing story. This is the kind of book that leaves an impression on the reader the kind that makes you want to see more. We have been introduced to a lot with these two issues and there is always room to go back and see more of Callum’s life and his career or youth before heading into the army. Heck even in the army now a gay man like him well I personally would love to see whatever it is that Erica came up with when creating him for this book. He can be a beacon of hope and acceptance in ways that were never imagined. The best part of it is that he’s flawed like everyone else and being human like that and us getting to see it only makes our connection with him that much stronger.

     I am a huge fan of the way that this has been structured. Using chapters like a novel allows Erica to move around and place the characters where they need to be without wasting space with unnecessary panels for explanation. There are few things in life more powerful than what happens in our formative years. That kiss which Callum and Brian shared could have blossomed into something amazing or it could have ended right there but thanks to the environment in which it happened and what we see happening as a result well damn. The Reverend is another character that incites anger and rage in me as a reader but he’s also one who is based on real life people that unfortunately exist. As such and thanks to the level of characterisation his impact is immeasurable. Plus there is always that sneak suspicion that he never died in the fire.

     I have been a fan of Dave’s since Chastity and I've followed him ever since. His work here is not only inspired but it is the best I have seen him do. The attention to detail that he uses and how he’s able to manipulate the varying weights in the linework to create such magnificent subtle detail is awe inspiring. I mean the flashbacks and the woods and the way we see trees or the faces and facial expressions, which are where you can take the measure of an artist, are stunning to see. The interiors add an extra dimension of characterisation and add to this the colouring, the use of shading and colour gradation with light sources being consistent this is beyond any kind of expectation one might have.

     Callum, Aisha and pretty much everyone else we meet get some seriously good characterisation here. Brian is the lone exception and I would have like to know more about him, how he felt when Callum kissed him for example. As well as confirmation that the women he used in his paintings were due to the fact his mother didn’t protect him like a mother should. We get that idea but more depth to that would have been nice.  The ending to this one will take your breath away and it will leave you haunted and wanting.
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     This is one of the most impressive and strong books that I have had the pleasure to read this year and should definitely be up for limited series of the year.  

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Thrilling Adventure Hour #2

8/27/2018

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Thrilling Adventure Hour #2
Boom! Studios 2018
Written by Ben Acker & Ben Blacker
Illustrated by M.J. Erickson
Coloured by Brittany Peer
Lettered by Mike Fiorentino


     The party inside the Haunted House has somehow descended into chaos. Encountering some spooks, the Doyles will have to perform an exorcism—once they fix themselves a drink, of course.

     In my world Ben & Ben are Sadie and Frank just because I want it to be so. How else do we explain just how damn fun the two of them have when creating something like this? The dialogue and banter we see in these pages is nothing short of spectacular not to mention endearing as all get out even if they are complete teetotallers, Still with only two issues into the series I have a feeling this is going to be my go to for fun relaxing reading from here on out. I mean we just don’t get this kind of blatant tongue in cheek kind of humour any longer and it’s high time it made a comeback.

     I really am enjoying the way that this is structured. The guys and the girls were separated last issue and while we pick up there I find it fascinating that our intrepid policeman Dave is holding hands with Frank and quite honestly showing a great more deal of fear than I would have anticipated. Meanwhile the women are faring slightly better. Oh and whomever came up with the whole saying the names of vegetables in a crazy Italian accent I applaud you and bow at your feet because I never laughed so hard in all my time reading comics.

     The opening however was another thing I hadn’t expected. It really is rather upsetting and for reasons that are abundantly clear to whomever reads this. While it adds a little flavour to the future proceedings and could quite possibly relate to something else we see here it just goes to show how involved the guys are in making sure that there are tentacles of storylines that are still to be told. Among them is our reporter friend who is trying to save his job and find the story of a lifetime, which he’s somehow convinced is regards to the Doyles. I am rather intrigued by him and what his role in all this will end up being if it’s anything at all as he adds a certain something to the book and he might possibly stumble upon something that could change his life forever.

     I am enamoured with MJ’s interiors here. She has a certain style that while lends itself beautifully to all-ages storytelling it also gives this story that much more of a throwback appeal. I mean radio shows and stage of the 1940’s and 50’s is where I see the Doyles coming from even though it’s in the now but MJ really does manage to capture something here as she blends the two ideas seamlessly. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows of a nice eye for storytelling. Honestly I think utilising backgrounds more would be nice to see overall however everything is quite nice. Brittany doess a nice job with the colours here as well.
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     This is so damn cute, fun and kind of irreverent and I gotta say that’s exactly why I have fallen head over heals for this book. This is smartly written with some excellent characterisation alongside some absolutely charming interior artwork. That these two paranormal paragons who are never far from a cocktail can star in and lead us around like they do should be enticing everybody!

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