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Reviews for 21-01-21 Reviews for 20-01-21
​Reviews for 19-01-21 Reviews for 18-01-21 Reviews for 17-01-21
​Reviews for 16-01-21 Reviews for 15-01-21 Reviews for 14-01-21
​Reviews for 12-01-21 Reviews for 11-01-21 Reviews for 10-01-21
​Reviews for 09-01-21 Reviews for 08-01-21 Reviews for 07-01-21
​Reviews for 06-01-21 Reviews for 05-01-21 Reviews for 04-01-21
​Reviews for 03-01-21 Reviews for 02-01-21 Reviews for 01-01-21

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Aphrodite V #2

8/27/2018

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Aphrodite V #2
Top Cow Productions 2018
Written by Bryan Hill
Illustrated by Jeff Spokes
Lettered by Troy Peteri


     Los Angeles has a new hero in Aphrodite, but a villain from Martin’s past threatens the city. Martin may not trust an android, but he’s going to need one.

     Aphrodite has found Martin and Minny doesn’t like having her around, it make her nervous about those who created her possibly wanting her back. It is a valid thing but Aphrodite is of more use to her than she realises, cop or not. However now is the time to find out what Basilisk is and no it isn’t Salazar’s giant snake. However with what we learn here I think that might have been preferable still that this can be so frighteningly familiar and yet totally new and refreshing is extremely well done. I say this because Bryan seems to be pulling a bit from the Terminator tropes in regards to the birth of sentient robots raising an army and sending someone back to stop it. I mean I like this version better so far.

     I like Bryan’s writing and I love the way he’s able to structure a story so that there really is a very natural ebb & flow to the book. As we go from place to place or crisis to crisis everything is done with purpose there is no wasted meandering about. The characterisation that we get is strong and makes the characters identifiable and likeable in most situations. Of course we’re also treated to the same treatment regarding the big bad and his inner circle as it were which also makes him easier to dislike or sympathise with depending on where you stand from Lawful Good to Chaotic Evil.

     Another thing I really like about this is that there is little to no talking while Aphrodite is doing her thing taking out these guys. In combat and especially when you are up against an unknown force you don’t want to make a sound. So witty banter or musing aloud aren’t things that you would do. It’s nice to see Bryan can do that and rely upon his partner Jeff to really bring that to life and help the story move forward to it’s inevitable conclusion. I have to say few books these days show this level of trust and it’s because this does and is so successful that I find I appreciate that even more.

     Since I brought him up let’s talk about Jeff’s interiors shall we. The level and attention to detail that he’s able to bring is incredibly good. The way he uses the black in shading as well as body suits and such which can then show off the creepier side of things again impressive. The varying weights in the linework here are stupendous and if you have any doubt about an artists ability then look at their faces and eyes on the page to see just how good they are. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off that eye for storytelling. I am usually the one screaming for more backgrounds, because what we is great, this time I won’t the way everything works for Jeff here is perfect the way it is.
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     This for me still feels like an introduction to the series and I am very okay with that. I find myself learning about the characters, the world they are in and the dangers that lie ahead. This isn’t something that can be taken care of lickity split not it’s going to take time to build up and then to get under some semblance of control before being taken down so yeah the pacing, the structure and the interiors all make this something that you should be reading. This is everything I love about comics!

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Britannia: Lost Eagles of Rome #2

8/27/2018

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Britannia: Lost Eagles of Rome #2
Valiant Entertainment 2018
Written by Peter Milligan
Illustrated by Robert Gill
Coloured by Jose Villarrubia
Lettered by Dave Sharpe


     Using this understanding of cause and effect, human psychology, and the subconscious,  Antonius now works in Rome, using his deductive skills to solve cases as the world’s first detective.  These abilities are now being put to the test, as Emperor Nero has dispatched Antonius to recover three Roman standards – objects symbolizing the power of the Roman Empire –lost in battle deep in the Germanic forest of Tottenwald. Aided by the gladiatrix Achillia, Antonius must uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of these lost relics, or risk the end of Nero’s reign and the glory of Rome…

     This really is one of my favourite franchises nowadays. The mad Emperor Nero who is portrayed as seriously unhinged and has not even a remote clue what a Detectioner is or what he does but because of his backing and success thus far he’s an integral instrument to be used. So to see coming into his own, slowly but surely, and believe in himself more with each arc has utterly delightful. Which brings us up to this one. As Nero cries for the lost Eagles to be returned he’s given Achillia to assist him, she’s been promised her freedom if successful, which gives us a better look at what Antonius can do with his thought process.

     Peter does such a magnificent job with the way this book is structured. The ebb & flow created here is spectacular and the interplay between the characters and how everything that occurs manages to help move the book forward. Leaving Greece behind the pair arrive in Alexandria where they are in for a rude awakening. Ramses Twelve flaunts himself and that Egypt will one day free themselves of Roman Rule and it be he who does it for he is descended from a God. I can’t find much information on Ramses XII but let’s just go with it because really it’s what he represents that is important to the story here.

    I love how Peter brings us characterisation and uses that to fuel the story and to give us those peeks into the characters we might not get elsewhere. That doesn’t just apply to our main characters either no it applies to everyone we meet and that’s pretty amazing to me. Nero too, as crazy and unhinged as he is, he’s one of the most fun characters in this franchise and may not be as accurate, we’ll never know for sure, but it certainly makes appreciate him more.

      I am enamoured with the interior artwork here. The attention to detail is simply amazing to see and it doesn’t matter what it is apparently what it is or where it is in the panel everything gets the same amount of attention. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off an amazing eye for storytelling. I do wish backgrounds were in every panel because what we see when they are utilised is utterly sensational. Heck even the extreme violence of difference in how bodies are, Egyptian or Roman colouring for example, it all just has this eye to it that really works.
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     Personally that everyone thinks Antonius should be looking for the Eagles in Germany but is instead in Alexandria makes people nervous or angry. I enjoy that aspect of it I mean the world has never seen a detective before, one who can ascertain things from body language or speech patterns not to mention a scene itself. The Shadow may know and the Dark Knight may fight but Antonius is in a league that only Sherlock might appreciate.  

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Die!Die!Die! #2

8/26/2018

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Die!Die!Die! #2
Skybound/Image Comics 2018
Written by Robert Kirkman
Co-Plotting by Scott M. Gimple
Illustrated by Chris Burnham
Coloured by Nathan Fairbairn
Lettered by Rus Wooten


     Last issue’s surprise release sent fans scrambling to the local shoppes to ensure picking up a copy. Personally I loved that this was a release that wasn’t announced, that hadn’t been spoiled by Previews or the like and we all came into this blind. So while I have had time to think about it the fact that they are Japanese strikes me as too cliché and unless their father had them cloned from his DNA so to ensure identical triplets, really in Japan that’s really unheard of okay maybe only by Americans because we’re self obsessed as research shows that twins and triplet rates are the same worldwide though in Japan triplets overwhelmingly tend to be male. Regardless I would have loved seeing them from somewhere in South America if only because it would unexpected.

     This issue opens up with a quick recap of the boys and their upbringing. I appreciate how that went as we really don’t need to delve into them being kids so fully, at least not yet if at all. The lead in to the story is beautifully done as is and I gotta say it’s interesting to see how each of them operate now compared to the past. Nature versus nurture would be a paper worth reading after this because we do see the emergence of three very distinct personalities who don’t share a lot in common other than their skill sets. Alright so we’ve seen me think about triplets in Japan and a study paper so Robert is doing more than his job because he’s got me so involved in this book that my mind doesn’t stay on the page.

     I am kind of drawn to the brutality that we see and I am not sure if I should be disturbed by that at this point. Probably because it is so far from what my life is like is among the top reasoning. Then of course we have the other side of the equation here as well. I am kind of in love with Senator Lipshitz at this point. She’s got brass cajones and a mouth that well yeah she’s kind of her own force of nature and how destructive depends on the strength of her ire. Then Senator Barnaby is one of those classic villains or mad scientist type and he has these delusions of grandeur about himself and I dunno right now I find him extremely boring and overrated.

     Oh Chris is such a talent and it’s nice to see his style tweaked a little bit for this series. Instantly familiar with that strong intense linework but there is also something else here that sets it apart. I love the creativity and imagination that we see here and how the backgrounds are utilised to enhance the story and provide that sense of scope for where they are. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off Chris’ eye for storytelling which continues to impress time and time again. I’m even more impressed (chagrined) to see that Chris manages to keep his penis from being seen throughout the entire issue ok that’s fib c’mon man really? Though legitimately the body the fighting the lack of nose all of that is impressive as all get out I mean strongest work to date and you gave Nathan some hella good stuff to colour.
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     With everything that happens in this issue I have been pulled even deeper into the story. I’ve got questions galore and I’m dying to know more about the brothers three relationship to one another. This is amazing, it’s bloody violent, and the story is woven intricately throughout tying in pieces while making others more elusive. This damn fine storytelling from EVERYONE involved! 

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The Fuhrer and the Tramp #2

8/25/2018

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The Fuhrer and the Tramp #1
Self Published 2018
Written by Jon Judy
Written, Coloured & Lettered by Sean McArdle
Illustrated by Dexter Wee


     Charlie Chaplin – comic, filmmaker, and raconteur – didn’t become the world’s biggest star by courting controversy, but when he comes face-to-face with the horrors of Hitler, he feels compelled to get off the sidelines and get involved. And then Charlie is approached by FDR himself with a special assignment. His mission, if he chooses to accept it: create a propaganda film to drum up public support for joining the war in Europe. And so Charlie goes from movie maker to provocateur, traveling the world and dodging danger to complete his film. With the help of undercover agent Hedy Lamarr, her handler Errol Flynn, and British patriot Alfred Hitchcock, Chaplin faces down American fascists, Nazi spies, and his own massive self-doubt to complete his masterpiece.

     It’s been 73 years since the end of WWII which is still recent enough that the last of those involved are slowly dying and yet far enough away that we can tell stories about it both real and imaginary that make it still seem extremely relevant today. It makes me wonder who will tell stories about now and the great orange turd doing is his best to destroy the US from within. Let’s not think about the future, after all we’ve still got to survive the present and admire the past while we can.

      Anyone who has been reading my reviews for a while now knows that I am a huge supporter of Alternate History stories. Taking real people and putting them in different roles than they really played in that time makes for interesting reading. Also it is easy to gauge not only the writers skill but also assess his success in taking the characters and reworking their history. So seeing what Sean and co. are able to do here should be interesting and fun to watch unfold. The opening here is great and while it’s still hard to see the treatment of Jews and anyone suspected of being one the character that is Charlie Chaplin comes to life at his finest.

     I do like the way the book is structured however I think the segues need more work. When we leave Charlie in Germany and head to California it was like the changing of scenes in a play. Where it ends the lights go down and the set is rearranged and the lights come back up. It doesn’t feel like it really flows just that one part ends and another begins. Later the segue into outside to inside now that’s handled well so we see that they are capable. Otherwise the opening is just a sequence of event with no apparent ties to the story.

     I am a big fan of the interiors here. Black and white with shades of grey is really unforgiving to an artist. But I like how we see the varying weights in the linework and I like how strong, crisp and clean said linework is. The composition of the page and how we the see panels utilised so that perspective and angles show us a very very nice eye for storytelling. Backgrounds I wish were utilised more we see a lot of blank behind characters and that’s kind of shame, while I get the whole focus on the character aspect I would like to see them used to expand the scene give us a sense of scope to the story, that outdoor dining and seeing Hedy’s room really made a difference in how we see the story.
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     I like the characterisation and the way the story moves. The unexpected visit inside Hedy’s very room well that goes to show that the humour he’s famous for still live on. There is a lot to like about this and there is a lot of promise of what’s to come. It is an interesting premise with delightful takes on film stars of days past wrapped up in some stellar interiors.

There will be a Kickstarter soon but you can keep an eye on it here for now. http://thefuhrerandthetramp.com/

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West Coast Avengers #1

8/25/2018

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West Coast Avengers #1
Marvel Comics 2018
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Stefano Caselli
Coloured by Triona Farrell
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna


   A NEW ERA DAWNS…AVENGERS ASSEMBLE! HAWKEYE (KATE BISHOP). HAWKEYE (CLINT BARTON). A guy named FUSE. Never have they ever been called “the big three” of...anything. And now here they are, reunited for, okay, well, it’s only the second time ever. Thank god they also brought AMERICA CHAVEZ, GWENPOOL and KID OMEGA. Wait. What? That’s right, it’s the new West Coast Avengers, son. And you better hope they can figure out how to save the world because BIG things are headed for the West Coast.

     If I am to be brutally honest there was an 80% chance I was going to pass on this. As I have grown older I have realised a few things like the expression “back in my day” and “when I first” that used to make my eyes roll are now phrases we’re uttering ourselves. While my brain perfectly understands what is going on my heart is more like why is this necessary. Will there come a day when the kids phase out the adults? Pass the mantle, become them and then make room for another generation to follow? If folks like Kelly are going to be given liberty to tell the stories she wants to and exploration characterisation and character development she needs these kids who are still malleable. I am okay with that too so what if it’s not the West Coast Avengers in the Mini-Series and then launched as a monthly from my teenage years that was then this is now.

     Clint and Kate’s relationship has really become something of legend in the Marvel Universe. Just the fact that she was homage/legacy (earning a dead man’s name—CA) to becoming something of a protege to his friend, family and someone who they each can turn to without hesitation or judgement, okay judgement yes but it’s alright. Solid base to build upon right there. However while the opening is good seeing these Land Sharks (SyFy eat your heart out) sold this book to me. I am not sure who else besides Kelly could tackle Sharks that seem to have been crossed with Salamandar’s as hokey as it sounds and then throw in superheroes, two of which have no powers add a couple more folks to the mix and make the story as believable as it comes across.

      Stefano and Triona work extremely well together and I am more than pleasantly surprised by how good this is. No offense but Marvel isn’t known for quality interior artwork these days. The attention to detail here is phenomenal from how realistic the anatomy of the shark looks, yes teeth, gums, wrinkles, scarring plus those added feet, all the way to the final panel in the book the consistency is the same. It is the little things like that and the way varying weights of linework get manipulated to convey feelings and emotions that make a strong silent impact. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective show off a strong eye for storytelling. I just ask for one thing, use some proper backgrounds for cryin in the mud now.

     With the exception of Gweenpool (trying too hard to make her a legit thing) the characters are interesting and show promise. Seriously though I have no idea what Gwen is supposed to bring to this other than prove she’s a stupid rip-off character that should’ve been let alone. Phew, had to get that out there and off my chest. So Kelly manages to be the first person to get me to read a book with her in it not only all the way through but to get me to come back.
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     Well Whatever did happen to The West Coast Avengers compound? Will this be a chance to see some old friends who are heroes out in the western way? So ditch that thing with the sperm head and bring on the action, fun and knowing these folks some malarkey and I will be here to enjoy!

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Fearscape #1 Advance Review

8/25/2018

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Fearscape #1 Advance Review
Vault Comics 2018
On Sale 09, 26, 2018
Written by Ryan O’Sullivan
Illustrated by Andrea Mutti
Coloured by Vladimir Popov
Lettered by AndWorld Design


     The Fearscape is a world beyond our own, populated by the manifestations of our greatest fears. Once per generation, The Muse travels to Earth, discovers our greatest Storyteller, and takes them with her to the Fearscape to battle these fear-creatures on our behalf. All has been well for eons, until The Muse encounters Henry Henry—a plagiarist with delusions of literary grandeur. Mistaking him for our greatest Storyteller, she ushers him into the Fearscape. A fake man in a fake land…this is the story of the wrong person answering the call to adventure, and the doom that followed.

     I have to be honest at first I was taken aback and thought what the hell am I reading? Honest reaction and the opening is such that it continues onward and you have no idea why the narration is A. talking to you and B. sounds so damn flowery and condescending while doing so. Fair warning this isn’t something you can just pick up and start reading it’s very thoughtfully involved and you have to keep your focus on this book while reading this. If you don’t think so well tell once it’s out and you’ve read it. As a matter of fact I had to sleep on this last night to get my thoughts in order.

     I found the way Ryan has structured this to be fascinating to me. On every page we see this kind of exaggerated look at the writer and it’s almost to the point of obnoxious and while yes it does this amazing job at bringing Henry Henry to life it also make it easy to dislike him. The contradiction is something you’ll notice throughout the entire book, to like him as a character and despise him for who he is and I have to admit Ryan impresses the hell out of me here with how deep and how depth the story contains while still being a hot mess that is so tongue in cheek about writers. Also that it is so layered with wordage that might seem unnecessary but in the end using your own cerebral prowess you understand why it’s there.

      I am a huge fan of Andrea’s and the work that he does. His ability to bring a world alive through the attention to detail by manipulating the varying weights in the linework is among the best there is today. Right from the opening okay second page where we see his work, coloured expertly by Vladimir by the way, we see the visual characteristics of Henry Henry and how easy it is to see how others see him. Even when the scene calls for a more oblique sensibility to it it’s easy to see how up to the task Andrea is and how easily he’s able to convey the different elements through different styles. His utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off just how amazing his eye for storytelling is.
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     This one took me by surprise as I certainly wasn’t expecting it be what it is. What that is I will leave you to decide because honestly I do believe that each person will take away something different from the experience. Yes it feels like there is a story within a story here and ya know what that’s fine because it makes things more interesting. Is there a moral to be learned amidst all this? Who knows maybe but be careful what you wish for and Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbour come to mind don’t they heh. Alright I am in to see just what kind of mess Henry Henry has gotten himself into and how in the how in the hell he’s going to survive it.

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Archie 1941 #1 Advance Review

8/24/2018

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Archie 1941 #1 Advance Review
Archie Comics 2018
Written by Brian Augustyn & Mark Waid
Illustrated by Peter Krause
Coloured by Kelly Fitzpatrick
Lettered by Jack Morelli


     Archie has been around for over 75 years and has been through many significant moments in time, but never before have we seen the characters take on real-world events as they unfold. WWII is looming and Archie and many young men from Riverdale are close to enlistment age. If you’re a Riverdale teen, how would you cope with a looming world-changing event?

     I was really struck by just how well this was written. Keeping all the personalities in check is one thing and over the years the kids have been portrayed in ways that match the times. Here however the guys are looking back and imagining the way they could have acted if this were a historical tale and not one of fiction. I think that’s what makes it feel so impactful because I see the personalities I grew up with but they are being portrayed in a slightly different manner. This is strong and powerfully written so much so that you will find yourself inside this world facing the decisions and problems alongside the characters and it will change you.

     The opening is great as Jughead and Archie stroll down memory lane as they traverse the halls of Riverdale High. When they hear Archibald Andrews name they realise they are late, late for the graduation ceremony and Archie’s name signifying his diploma. Heh the perennially late Archie is cute, it’s funny it is something we associate with him. It is traits that we don’t see much of any more that I think appreciate immensely. This is old school and Kevin wasn’t around then so while we see Midge, Reggie and Moose and Veronica it’s really more peripherally. The centre stage however belongs to Archie with Jughead and Betty there alongside him.

     There are times in history that mark the world and WWII was one of them. Add into the mix teenagers who just graduated from High School and are now expected to find their way in the world, to become who they are meant to be in other words grow up and become adults. Time put the toys away and find those other pursuits, adult pursuits. The only real problem is back then women were simply meant to find husbands and boys went to college to get that degree and a job while they also find their wife. Everything is so black and white except when you have no idea what you want to be now that you’ve grown up and there’s a war on that just happens to all consuming.

      The interiors here couldn’t be any more perfect. The attention to detail here is utterly, sensationally marvellous I mean from the intricacy in posters to how we see what is on the screen or the folds in the clothing it’s like no detail no matter how small is overlooked. Though I am not sure about the decision for Jughead’s head wear but it certainly fits the time period (even if in some ways he looks like Dick Van Dyke). The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such a masterful eye for storytelling. While I want the backgrounds to be utilised in every panel that’s asking a little much be when they are there wow it’s something. With Kelly’s colours matching the work so beautifully they really manage to bring us back in time.
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     This really is something extraordinary. To see the kids placed in the real world and not some teenage soap opera where situations are overly exaggerated, one that has a direct impact upon their lives really hits you. Do yourself a favour and make sure you have this on order from your local brick and mortar shoppe or subscription service. This is Archie like you’ve never seen him before and you will never be the same after seeing this.

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Double Jumpers in Full Circle Jerk #1

8/24/2018

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Double Jumpers in Full Circle Jerks #1
Action Lab Danger Zone 2018
Written & Lettered by Dave Dwonch
Illustrated by Sergio Rios
Coloured by Geraldo Filho


      Jason and his ragtag group of programmers have escaped their virtual reality game, “Dungeon Lords,” only to discover that they’ve let loose the game’s greatest villain into our world. To save Silicon Valley they will need help… from their in-game counterparts!

     It’s been too long since the first Double Jumpers hit stands I had almost forgotten what had happened when I started reading this. Thankfully it didn’t take long to get the memories back and that seemed to really get me into this story. So naturally when things last ended it really hadn’t fully ended and now that Pilfer is in our world someone is going to need to step up and stop him. Well the opening is something that doesn’t really reveal anything either and well while it may be interesting we’ll have to see how it fits in to the story.

      Dave does a nice job here structuring the book so the ebb & flow of how information is revealed keeps things moving forward. The way that we see Malificent trying to “talk” to the group certainly made me laugh and the way the group justs seemed to argue about finding Tom or becoming their characters again well it has this ring about it that feels like genuine interchange between friends and co-workers. Well with the exception of the phrase “disingenuous twat” that was absolutely hysterical to see on the page!

      This leads me to the characterisation here which by the by is exceptionally well done. I love that the personalities of each individual has this chance to shine so that this somewhat large cast all have those moments is quite impressive. There are times when you just enjoy the dialogue being thrown around as folks try to figure out just what the next step should be and that’s what this is. Brainstorming can come in different ways and this one well it seems driven by conflict which is nicely done since it seems to motivate others in the group to work smarter and faster heh.

      While I like and appreciate the kind of 80’s all-ages cartoon vibe that’s going on here for gods sake utilise backgrounds! That two page spread when the gang realises they are back in the game those two pages is what the whole book should look like. The attention to detail, the full use of the pages this is thrilling to see. This has the look and feel we want to see and while it beautifully separates the real world from the game world that just reinforces how much better the book as a whole can be. The game world makes me think of Dragon’s Lair and that’s pretty cool. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a nice eye for storytelling.
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     So far this arc is off to a raucous good time! With some of the more impressive characterisation and plot/story development Dave and company manage to deliver just the right amount of sarcasm alongside some of the more typical aspects surrounding gamers and game makers. What we get is an imaginative and creative tale that brings us to this place we’d all love to go inside the world of a video game even one gone oh so very bad. The possibilities with this franchise are endless and I really am glad to see that it’s back so jump on board and get ready to unleash your inner geek imagination!

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Cold Spots #1

8/23/2018

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Cold Spots #1
Image Comics 2018
Written by Cullen Bunn
Illustrated by Mark Torres
Lettered by Simon Bowland


     10 years ago, Dan Kerr turned his back on his wife and unborn daughter. Now, both mother and child have gone missing, and Dan must face cosmic terrors to find them again. He soon finds that ghosts stir when his estranged daughter is near. And as the dead grow restless, the cold deepens...

     So just when you think that Cullen can’t find a new avenue of horror to explore he puts out another book just to prove you wrong. Well not just because the man apparently sweats out ideas in ways we will never understand. I love being creeped out, it’s extremely hard to really scare me so I have to settle for the creepy stories, and no one really does that better than Cullen. He can take a subject interject some psychological aspect to it that suddenly makes something so innocent become something ominous and foreboding.

     The opening is utterly sensational. I love how it plays out and just that this is how the story starts and not with a whimper nor a bang but with something that widens your eyes, raises your eyebrows and gives you goosebumps. This guy who kind of has this attitude suddenly gets cold and searches for his wife and what he finds defies explanation except everything that leads to that moment is something that we are familiar with if you watch those ghost hunting shows on television. It is extremely well done, it grabs the readers attention and doesn’t let it go and ensures that you will continue with the story, so in other words a perfect opening doing it’s job.

     The way that the book is structured is amazing to see. The ebb & flow created and how the pacing takes us through the book is so well done that while indeed we are left wanting more it also does that whole raising of the heart rate. The information that we get here is nicely revealed and what is implied is done so convincingly so that facts can remain unsaid but the truth is still known. I also think a lot of that is also contributed by Mark’s work on faces and facial expressions. Still just when you think something is going to happen something else occurs instead. I have my own idea how all of this is related to one another and we’ll see if I am right but in the meantime I wonder why Cullen has written a horror picture because hot damn would it be good.

     This is my introduction to Mark’s work and I have to say I'm pretty highly impressed with it. I mentioned faces and facial expressions and it’s true they give us so much emotion and information that the words or dialogue alone couldn’t do. There is something about how he is able to manipulate the varying weight in the linework to really make moments pop and not how you’d expect. There are moments this light linework is in the background and it creates this effect that’s unexpected and kind of ethereal in nature which makes things even creepier. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a solid eye for storytelling. The work compliments the story perfectly and it doesn’t get much better than that.
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     So what we’ve got is an introduction to Kerr and what he’s been hired to do. With a lot of innuendo and to find a woman and her daughter, whom I am sure is his child because well yeah read the book, Kerr finds himself in the middle of something he’s unprepared for and if the last page is any indicator he better hope he makes it out of this alive. With some stellar writing and extremely good interior artwork chalk up another Cullen Bunn must have book!

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Artifact One #0

8/23/2018

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Artifact One #0
Aspen Comics 2018
Written by J.T. Krul & Vince Hernandez
Illustrated by Romina Maranelli
Lettered by Dezi Sienty


     Introducing Remi, a young and energetic explorer and relic hunter, whose boundless curiosity leads to a startling discovery beyond anything she could have imagined! Along with her alchemist father, Remi works in secret, away from the prying eyes of the ruling clerics who lord over the realms of her world with their ancient decrees and strict devotion. Remi has her own sense of dedication--Her heart to adventure and her mind to the truth. But, what happens when that truth could change the fate of her entire planet, and destroy the very fabric of her civilization?

     So these folks had me with the opening. Just the idea behind what we see here was enough for me to instantly take a liking to Remi. Someone who is curious about the world around them and doesn’t fit into the societal norm is someone I want to know. Then to see her move about the city she calls home while also introducing us to it in a manner that I really found wonderfully executed. This is exactly what you want from a zero issue this way the first issue can dive right in without having to worry about backtracking to explain something. This way we get a precursory look at the city and all the various characters and factions that inhabit it.

     I found the way that this was structured so that the ebb & flow of how the moved through its pacing to be extremely well done. Never felt rushed and it provided us with enough characterisation to know what was going to be trouble. I say that because this culture has it’s own version of the Catholic Church, you know the one that had soldiers and ran the Crusades, the crazy version that thought they had the right to control society and what everyone believed. Only it was a cover-up for their own sense of greed and desire to rule, lord if you will, over others. Yeah we get a glimpse of them too and what they may or may not represent moving forward is both interesting and vexed by it at the same time.

     Romina does some incredibly lovely work on the interiors. The one criticism I have is that backgrounds are utilised as they could be. I mean to show one panel with them then the next without kind of defeats the purpose and a stark white behind the characters leaves me feeling empty or that time constraints or lack of ability is to blame. When they are used it’s a glorious thing and really helps to flesh out the world and add character not to mention the creativity and imagination needed to bring it to life.. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a nice eye for storytelling. The linework here is both powerful and delicate and that’s quite something to see and I wholeheartedly hop that you don’t miss out on it.

     The concept here is nicely presented and the whole idea that we see someone like Remi, so young and full of curiosity and life trying to cope with the reality of her world is going to be an adventure in and of itself. The correlation to the real world is handled nicely and that we can see the subtle influences that mirror times in our own history well that’s just an added bonus. It helps us not only remember our own past but shows the folly of forgetting it or letting it repeat itself.
​

     This is written exceptionally well and with such lovely charming interior artwork this is what Zero issues were created for.

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