Diablo House #2
IDW Publishing 2017
Written by Ted Adams
Illustrated by Santiperez
Coloured by Jay Fotos
Lettered & Edited by Robbie Robbins


      I love what Ted is doing here pure and simple. Diablo House nails the old school feel and sensibility of the old horror titles that permeated the market from EC, Marvel and DC and various other small press outlets. The power of storytelling with stylised visuals to create a cautionary tale filled with those subtle lessons about greed and excess that people take for granted in this day and age is something that’s been sorely missed.

      A good horror anthology style series, well in that each issue is a one and done story all set in the same vein, that introduces us to Riley who isn’t what you’d expect in a host is a stroke of genius. While I am not a fan of the long hair he’s a California Surfer Dude through and through and his breezy effortless way of guiding the reader through the story is probably among the best things Ted has created here. His incredible body, that gorgeous tattoo and that not so good looking face combine to really establish him as the creepy host for a new generation.

      So a lot of my love for this comes also from Santiperez and Jay. The visuals here are absolutely award winning stunning in their scope and realised vision. From the work Santiperez lays down and how Jay finishes them so that it manages to blend that old school black and white horror yet in full colour so that it’s both retro and modern at the same time should be impossible to pull off. Yet here we are looking at it so we know it’s real. The creativity and imagination on display boggles the mind and the architecture here is something I could focus on and look for those little hidden Easter eggs all day long. The flow of what we see is gorgeous and tone, mood and feel that it exudes makes this far more effective than if it were just the words alone. The synergy between the two is impeccable.

      Oh my gosh the seventies take centre stage here with a lead character who desperately wants to be liked. This leads to a series of bad decisions as we see him spiral out of control. I like it, it has all these elements of the era in California including Ronald Reagan as the Governor and his stance in politics and what he sees as right and wrong. There are too many moments in this story to fully appreciate and adore but among them is the whole Saturday Night Fever look. It’s almost astonishing to me that one single issue can hold so many moments that have that WOW factor which come hot on each others heels. You can feel the passion and dedication Ted has for this book and it’s not only palpable but it’s infectious so that you as a reader feel it as well.

      Lex is a loser at his core, a hopeless geek who doesn’t know who to listen to or get advice from and this leaves him incredibly susceptible to outside influences, such as the Diablo House. Which he does visit and afterwards his life seems to be irrevocably changed. There is also a huge disparity between the artwork that opens this book to Lex and his life that we see. It’s not a bad thing either because in all honesty it feels like something we’d see in Playboy or any other “adult” magazine that had their cartoon strips in the Seventies. It absolutely without a doubt encompasses what we feel like the seventies represented.

      So i’ve mentioned greed and excess earlier and we see that in full force in this story. Once Lex becomes a new person and forgetting the boy he was and how he felt he comes across feeling corrupted to me. it’s mesmerising to see the level of characterisation on display here and how the change is so dramatic, interesting and powerful. Here’s this completely nebbishy little guy who in no way shape or form do you want to root for and yet here I sit completely transfixed by him. There are moments when you just want to smack him upside the head and wash your hands of him because of his actions and yet Ted manages to keep riveted to the page.

      People even if you aren’t a “horror” fan you need to be reading this. It has that psychological edginess to it that engages the mind and imagination while finding a way to creep you out. This isn’t the modern horror book it’s a throwback to a time when horror meant more a feeling and attitude than the modern slasher idea of it. You will not be disappointed in this in the slightest as it has elements of humour blended with psychological horror that you won’t be able to forget.

Psycho Path #1 (of 3)
Scapegoat Press 2017
Written by Stefani Manard
Illustrated by Paul Gori
Coloured by Whitney Cook
Lettered by Ted Woods
Cover by Carlos Villas

     Y’all know that I love my indie books and those that publish them and over the years I’ve come to really like finding new companies and new voices in the industry! Now there’s a whole thing about the cover versus the interior artwork, on one hand yes it would be nice it if represented what was inside but on the other it’s the first thing you see and it has to make a statement to catch your eye and make you pick it up and look at it. Carlos Bravissimo because this is a stunning cover and does what its supposed to and so much more. Ah one of the best covers I personally have seen this year!

     So once you see the cover and pick up the book inside you are going to find a story that I guarantee you aren’t expecting! I love the pacing that Stefani brings to this she has a great sense of how things should flow and when to release information so that we all have we need to both be informed and for speculation of what we think is going on. For instance Zach seems like a good kid, a bit lonely or a loner and could possibly be gay but we don’t know and considering the actions of what we see I wouldn’t be surprised. Though it’s not really his sexuality that is an issue it’s his home life and who he’s destined to become.

     I’m super impressed with the characterisation that we get here. From Zach in school and leading to the moment seven months later as we see his life change and his comfort level grow. Stefani manages to convey the change in Zach’s personality without having to really delve into needless wording and that’s a rare ability. It’s not just her though because Paul is a huge component in that as well. His facial expressions are noticeably important to how we perceive Zach as boy and a man.

     While Paul may have that beginners feel to the look it’s rather quite solid. He’s got his own style that feels familiar and indie and yet manges to beautifully convey the emotions and feelings going on at any given moment. His use of page layouts through their angles and perspective show a great eye for storytelling. Also not going to lie I adore the fact he knows how utilise backgrounds in his panels and his attention to detail and knowledge of human anatomy are splendid! While there is a moment in this issue that’s borderline erotic it’s beautifully done and really solidified my appreciation for his ability and skills.

     So what are the events in someone’s life that could fundamentally change who you are and what direction your life is going to go in? That’s not something we tend to think about it really is more akin to our nightmares than our dreams and that too is something Stefani manages to get across. I love that there’s this complex subtlety to her writing that you can see what she means without having to be bombarded with it in the wording or narration. The way this flows shows us what these events in Zach’s life are going to shape and mold him into being something I doubt even he ever thought he could be.

     I’m shocked and in awe of one moment in this that for me was the tipping point, that piece of straw that broke the Camel’s back if you will. I wholeheartedly admit that this would be one of those documentaries on Netflix that would change the general populations mindscape on how a psychopath is made. Forget Making of a Murderer as you know it because this fictionalised version is much more fun, interesting and thought provoking. So contact your shoppe, or subscription service and have them order this for you, trust me you’ll thank me later.

Incidentals #2
Catalyst Prime/Lion Forge Comics 2017
Written by Joe Casey
Pencilled by Larry Stroman
Inked by Rob Stull
Coloured by Snakebite Cortez
Lettered by Saida Temofonte


     The mysterious superpowered teenager named Seven is still on the run, while billionaire Bo Vincent Chen is racing against time to assemble a team of superheroes for secret missions. Will the MMA fighter Alex Winters, also known as Deathmill, be the next recruit . . . or a threat to Bo’s ultimate goal?

     While the formula that Joe’s using here isn’t a new one, I last saw it in The Troop (very good read by the way) and what Joe’s managing to do with it is solid. It’s unfolding in a natural way that isn’t being rushed, allows us time to get to know these characters before the cast grows larger. His ability to utilise pacing is wonderfully demonstrated with these first two issues as we get to see the what and possibly the how and slowly getting to the why. All along we get some nice action and interaction along with some solidly done characterisation.

     While we open up with a different look at the way the first issue ends we quickly move on to another potential member of Chen’s burgeoning team. Alex is a cage fighter and he’s using the abilities that the meteor gave him to his advantage to win, make money and work off this aggression that he has. Now I’m not sure if said aggression has always been there and the reason he and his girlfriend broke up or if it’s something new, a side effect of these new abilities if you will. Either way we get just enough information regarding that so that we’re intrigued and hooked to keep following and find out.

     Meanwhile back their new headquarters the team is discussing the failed attempt at getting to the young woman before the police did thus forcing her to use her powers and escape. For now it’s okay that Chen seems to have his secrets and ulterior motives behind forming this team. Even if he doesn’t tell the kids what those reasons are I wouldn’t be adverse to seeing his musings on why or at least that morsel which makes the mind race thinking of possibilities.

     The interiors laid down by Larry and finished by Rob and Snakebite is some really nice solid “comic book art!” Love the way page layouts are utilised with their angles and perspective to give you that maximum impact of the scene, facial expressions and that television/movie quality so we get that panoramic view. While backgrounds aren’t left out they could be a bit more detailed for my tastes but regardless it’s very good stuff happening here.

     While Alex turned down his offer the first time, that exchange was very executed by the way and demonstrates beautifully why I’m a fan of Joe’s writing, so what will happen to change his mind? Also will his change of mind be able to get past his breakup with his girlfriend whom he was with on the beach that night? Oh I did enjoying seeing that night through his eyes as it provides further clues as to who else might be the bearer of additional talents.

     Also I do like the idea of Detectives Platte and Hodge becoming more and more involved in the events currently happening. There’s more to these two than meets the eye and I look forward to seeing what role they ultimately play in this. By that I do mean will they work with them aiding them in an official capacity or will they be trying to arrest them, get them off the streets and claim them to be menaces one and all?

     This is a different take on how to start a superhero universe from scratch. How “real” people would react to a world where people with strange powers and abilities that they suddenly share. I like how they all combine and yet remain separate there really is a nice cohesion to this world but not making it essential to read every title coming out. But seriously why wouldn’t you want to be reading this? It puts the established world’s of the Big Two to shame.

The Infinite Loop: Nothing But The Truth #1
IDW Publishing 2017
Written by Pierrick Colinet & Elisa Charretier
Illustrated by Daniele Di Nicuolo
Coloured by Sarah Stern
Lettered by Ed Dukeshire


     Unfortunately Teddy’s attempt at rebooting her timeline and getting society to accept human anomalies didn’t have the intended effect. Though eradicating them now is illegal, human anomalies are parked in squalid and overcrowded refugee camps. Teddy was forced to create an illegal organisation whose goal is to hide anomalies in time to spare them horrendous living conditions in her world.

     This was another book that I was on the fence about reading. Doing a quick purview of it left my curiosity piqued but the intrigue for further perusal wasn’t really there. However this is what I do so I read the issue. Now I hadn’t read the first series so I was coming into this blind with a fresh eye and honestly I don’t think I missed much by not having read it. Don’t get me wrong yes I’m interested in reading it just because of the enjoyment of this issue. It is completely new reader friendly so you can jump into this easily.

     I do like the writing here and yes at times it does seem a little murky, you do get a feeling that the way the story veers is slightly off, it ends up righting itself nicely as is intended. The characterisation is strong and you get a good feel for the characters. Teddy is almost something of a cliché at times and that’s a little off-putting but overall the more you get to know her the more you see it’s just who she is and to not take offense by her brusque nature. Though let’s face it anyone who says they can go it alone without backup is literally setting themselves up for trouble and well she sure does.

     I do have a minor complaint and that’s that Teddy and her wife got divorced so Congresswoman Ano Anderson’s career wouldn’t be mired with speculation or complications. It sounds like being a lesbian and having a wife would be problematic when in reality its more that Teddy’s kind of a rogue operative doing things that would detract from her wife’s position. I dunno if that even made sense but for me it just feels wrong somehow but hey they love each other and each is passionate about doing what they want to do and how they are going about that.

     The interiors here are a lot of all-ages kind of goodness. Which unfortunately means sparse utilisation of backgrounds. I mean c’mon using backgrounds is an essential part of storytelling and shows how skilful or talented the artist really is. I mean showcasing the different scenes Teddy walks through was amazing and that kind of detail should be used throughout every panel. Plus I wish we’d get either a better look or explanation for these helmets that give these people virtual reality experiences. I do think the way pages are laid out with their angles and perspective show a nice eye for storytelling.

     So Teddy goes off on a mission and guess what happens next? The poop hits the proverbial fan that’s what. With the introduction of the characters that will help define where the story goes we’re getting a nice look at this landscape. I’m a tad confused by this whole virtual reality deal going on here because I’m never sure what is reality and what is virtual here. I guess that’s half the intrigue factor trying to figure out which reality is real and if Teddy is traversing virtual worlds or literal ones. It does make for some unique storytelling opportunities i’ll say that much and it does lend itself to a plethora of ways things could progress.

     Sometimes when you take a chance on something you aren’t sure of things can turn out to be exactly what you are looking for. This is interesting, complex and full of ideas and surprisingly some social commentary on today’s society. Go ahead try something outside of what you normally would and take a chance on alternate realities, social commentary and action & intrigue in ways that blend to create something different.

Fu Jitsu #1
Aftershock Comics 2017
Created & Written by Jai Nitz
Created & Illustrated by Wesley St. Claire
Lettered by Ryane Hille


     Fu Jitsu is the world’s smartest boy, and has been for the last hundred years. Wait, what? Fu is an un-aging genius, and has had adventures around the globe and around the galaxy. From Einstein and the Wright brothers, to Gandhi and Johnny Unitas, Fu has met everyone in history while protecting Earth from Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man, and his dangerous magi-science.
     Fu exiles himself to Antarctica to try and forget the painful breakup with his ex-girlfriend, Rachel. Meanwhile, Wadlow returns from the far-flung future and sends James Dean, his ultimate assassin, to kill Fu at the South Pole. And you thought your teenage years were tough?

     Not going to lie I took a look at this and thought oh I’m not going to enjoy this. Talk about judging a book by its cover, and of all people I should know better. So after taking the time to sit down and read it the way it was meant to be read this has some great potential. Yes the interiors remind me of the Venture Brothers and I’m still undecided on whether or not that’s a bad thing, meaning humorous, simple and cartoony and to be perfectly frank the story kind of is too. So if you are a huge fan of this type of style and humour than this is going to tickle your fancy.

     Alright so when reading this I got the impression of how old Fu is but in all reality it didn’t leave me with that insane curiosity of the how and why behind his longevity. Usually this is something I want to know or at least feel like it’s going to be addressed and yet what Jai does here doesn’t leave me with that. Instead I’m rather happy to live in the now and learn about Fu and the world he lives in which is a rarity for me and I have to say I’m pretty darn impressed that Jai’s able to do that.

     His hideaway which apparently isn’t a secret one is located at the South Pole. Which makes sense because underneath all that ice is an actual continent and the location of choice there again is somewhat inspired as it’s probably the best known unexplored lake on the planet. So for someone who isn’t ageing and apparently can’t die what better place to put your home? In case you are wondering think about it a lake that’s been sealed from the world since prehistoric times that may contain viruses or pathogens that we’d be helpless against doesn’t make an appealing place to actually go.

     Well Wesley has a very unique perspective and his eye for storytelling is pretty darn good. Yes it is a tad on the simpler side of things and I wish we’d get more detailed backgrounds instead of wide open spaces because with St. Paul in the background that looked awesome to me. The use of page layouts with their angles and perspective are handled very well. We get the right sense of humour and action here so that it’s enjoyable but it could be elevated, taken up a notch instead of straddling that all-ages/modern comics feel.

     You’ll have to suspend disbelief when you read this because it’s all kinds of no way in hell this actually capable of happening no matter how hard you try to manipulate the psychics. This harkens back to the days when we didn’t try to over analyse things and just simply enjoyed them for what they are. Escapism is something we all want to have moments of and this will do exactly that. It’s fun, funny and slightly juvenile at times so basically it’s perfect for that ugh kind of day that needs a little pick me up!

     Aftershock continues to push the envelope with the idea of fun being as diverse as the human population can be. So are you ready to be not so mindlessly fun entertained?

Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter #1
Titan Comics/Hammer Comics 2017
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Tom Mandrake
Coloured by Sian Mandrake
Lettered by Simon Bowland


     In the depths of Eastern Europe, the legendary vampire hunter, Captain Kronos, and his two assistants, Grost and Carla, are called upon to help rid a town of its vampire plague.nHowever, beneath the surface of the beleaguered town a malevolent force far more evil and deadly is awakening and it might just be the match of Kronos…

     Oh my yes indeed and thank you, who else is going to mine an old project like this and make it relevant and happening aside from Dan? This time around he’s got Tom by his side and the two make quite a pair. Long before Dungeons & Dragons of Ravenloft there was Captain Kronos travelling the countryside vanquishing vampires of all shapes, sizes and makes. To understand that better you’ll have to read the book but I love the fact that this series addresses that there are more than one kind of Vampire in the world.

     As I’ve said this feels and reads very much akin to a Dungeons & Dragons adventure to me and I have to admit that there really should be no other way that this should read. A band of adventurers out to destroy vampire kind it’s very much formulated to make the reader want to experience this alongside these characters. Dan is a very, see extremely, capable writer who with uncanny ease can bring us into the lives of the characters he writes and this is no exception. I like the way he tells this story. Honestly at first I thought it was like a Holmes and Watson kind of deal where Watson is his travelling companion with more gadgets than brawn to get the job done. Oh it doesn’t hurt that while it’s not Steampunk he does feel very much that way. It wasn’t until the introduction of the female companion that it felt like and adventuring group.

     Tom’s a master of his craft and I have to say the inventiveness and creativity that he brings to the table here is unmistakable. The way pages are laid out with their perspective and angles is great to see. I want more backgrounds but with Tom we get some different aspects of that here as well as none and proper ones so it’s a smorgasbord of visual stimulation. The expressions on the faces and the uniqueness of the vampires it’s all on display here and it’s classic! So much to love and take in on what he’s doing here.

     Well the story is a good one I’ll give it that. As our intrepid trio has chased down their quarry over a vastly larger distance than they’d thought possible the fates shine upon them as they find themselves very much in demand by the locals from a nearby village. Well village isn’t really accurate it’s more a city at least by some standards and from what we can see it is indeed a city of some size. So much so that the humans have put a wall up separating the city from the run down slums that have become the man whom they seeks new habitat.

     I like that it’s not so much detective work, although I will admit that having one who does the research and finds what kind of Vampire and name that their quarry holds is fascinating. It’s almost as if Captain Kronos feels like research is left to underlings whereas his talents lie in killing the dreaded beasts. I could be reading more into this than I should be in all honesty that’s what a good story does. It draws the reader in, let’s their mind wander and imagine different scenarios that may or may not play out as well as try to “read” the relationship between characters through their actions. It’s something that Dan does extremely well.

     Once again Titan with Hammer really find a way to bring the old to life anew and infuse it with this verve and zest that are a magical combination.

The Rot #1
Source Point Press 2016
Written by David C. Hayes
Illustrated by Sean Seal
Lettered by Joshua Werner

     When science meddles in the affairs of the supernatural, the consequences can be disastrous. Dwight Cochran, former assassin, developed cancer in prison. After undergoing a secret procedure funded by the government that destroyed half of the prison, Dwight was reborn as The Rot. With the ability to use his cancer as weapon, he vowed to punish the wicked and protect the innocent... no matter where he finds either of them. Heaven can't stop him. Hell is terrified of him. Man wants to use him. Unfortunately, for all of them, The Rot answers to no one.

     First of all if you haven’t guessed by now I’m a huge horror fan it all has it’s place for me. The psychological thriller to the gratuitous slasher but never before have I come across something quite like this. Alright so at it’s core is the mad scientist routine and that’s okay and the way that Dwight is drawn into all this is presented to us nicely. From concept to execution bringing this to life this team has done an extremely nice job of being able to generate interest and hold our imagination as well as pique our curiosity.

     I like how this whole thing starts as it’s pretty much an introduction as well as background story. This gives the reader a chance to really get to know this world, this character and how all the jagged puzzles pieces fit. Oh and be not confused all the pieces here are jagged, rough and will slice you before you know it. However that my friends and frenemies is a large part of why this story is so enjoyable. There are moments throughout this book where you squint your eyes and begin to wonder WTF is going on but you strive to understand and have a compulsion to continue in that seemingly elusive effort for that understanding.

     I like Sean’s interior artwork here. His eye for storytelling is strong as we see his use of page layouts with their angles and perspective. Also the painting that he does while doesn’t leave a lot of room for backgrounds, which I’m a huge believer in, however he manages to find a way to weave into this and its amazing to see. I also love the mood he sets here with the swirls of colour and the highlights they create which are much more interesting and effective than one would imagine. The power of the imagery here is as important as the story itself it’s meant to strike fear in the soul and continue to flesh out the story more fully and Sean easily does all this and more.

     There is an unexpectedness to what we see in these pages. The character development is strange, intriguing and exceptionally well done. Dwight’s own narration during this is how we really get to know him. From the after-effect of science and religion finding each other in the most extraordinary of ways to the last page his journey throughout establishes him. They say a leopard never changes it spots so what will Dwight become now? Man, monster or something entirely new? More likely a combination of everything that shaped him up till that point but that’s just it what is he now?

     Captivating and mesmerising this book takes a new modern and twisted look at the mad scientist genre and brings us something original and terrifyingly interesting.  I wouldn't have found this if it weren't for Artist Alley at a convention and this is why I continually tell you to look for these small indie companies because sometimes the best stuff out there isn't from someone you recognise.

Malefic #1
Devil’s Due/1First Comics 2017
Written & Cover by Dan Schaffer
Illustrated by David Miller
Lettered by Crank!


     Young Doctor Freust is a therapist in an asylum of horror where each deranged and diabolical inmate has a paranormal neurosis and a homicidal glint in their eye. Out of her depth, Fruest must discover the techniques pioneered by her father, leader of a secret religious cult, if she has any hope of surviving the madness.

     I have to say there’s a reason I love books that come out by “the little guy” and it’s stories like this that serve to reinforce that belief. I mean this has all the hallmarks of a series that will take you to the edge of sanity and make you question everything you believe in. Think I’m joking well then grab a copy of this and check it our for yourself. For me this is the kind of story that I crave, that I look for when perusing the multitude of outlets that have horror movies. To find it here is a blessing and a curse, a blessing because it’s what I want and a curse because it comes out monthly and I have to wait for the next installment.

     Evelyn Freust is a young woman with a troubled past who is probably as brilliant as she is troubled. We get a great opportunity to not only see her in action but for Dan to bring us some of the most intense characterisation around. We see not only how she gets to be where she is which by the way is kind of utterly insane but as a reader we get to see the reason for her mental state through all this. By that I mean her relationship with her father, issues of abandonment and how she managed to try and follow in his footsteps nonetheless. It’s a complex route that weaves in and out and all around her in ways that keep you glued to the page as well as leave you wanting to know and learn so much more.

     I am totally into the interior artwork here. The sheer amount of attention to detail here is phenomenal! From the characters themselves to how fully conceived the backgrounds are really have this huge impact on me as a reader. Also the sex and violence that is represented here is done in ways that thrill and excite without being gratuitous and that’s a hard line to balance so I’m incredibly impressed by that. The way pages are laid out and how the angles and perspective are used to really are extremely well done.

     I do think the way this is structured as Dan navigates the past and present and brings what is possible for the future. It’s not your average storytelling either because it really does blend the whole action and story with characterisation in ways that seem new and fresh and yet natural and long standing at the same time. I haven’t been this taken in by the story in the first issue like I am here in a very long time and it’s rare that we get a book where this kind of connection is made as quickly as it does.

      I love Evelyn’s duality that whole I am a therapist and I am here to treat patients versus the reality of her father’s life and legacy which she is now beginning to learn about. That with the added bonus of having a few characters introduced this has already become a MUST READ experience. I will say this though if you are going to have characters running around naked from the waist down there’s no harm in showing the full monty I mean it’s 2017. I say this because it’s kind of how we meet Eric one of the orderlies and if his comments are any indication he’s going to provide that sarcastic humour that I love to see. Then there’s The Nurse who is Evelyn’s assistant whether she likes it or not. Well she’s a piece of work in her own right and how she fits into this, truly fits in not just on the surface, well I can’t wait to find out.

     This is where the horror/thriller meets storytelling and can has that air about it to takes it’s place among the classics like Frankenstein or Dracula in its potential.