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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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Stan Lee's Lucky Man #2

9/30/2018

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Stan Lee’s Lucky Man #2
TPub Comics 2018
Written by Neil Gibson & Michael Gordon
Illustrator for Present Day is Atula Siriwardane
Colourist for Present Day is Asoka Abeywardena
Lettered by Warren Montgomery
Flashback Sequences by Pow! Entertainment


       Stan Lee's Lucky Man follows the story of detective Harry Clayton after he is unwillingly granted the power to control luck--for good and bad… This comic is an extension of the hit TV series and explores the origins of the bracelet that gives him this power. Last issue was a kind of recap of the first episode and it leads beautifully into this one that does indeed focus on the bracelet and who wore it in the past.

      Most American’s are too up on British Television which quite honestly is a shame because it really is so much better than what is on in the States. Aside from the usage of certain words and allowing for more sexual situations that doesn’t require a cable subscription just the overall quality of the writing and acting is in my humble opinion far superior. This is show is sensational and the boys here have extended the tone, mood and feel of the show to the comic with a surprising expertise. If you haven’t seen the show no worries you can enjoy this four issue series as a stand alone, all you have to do is contact your shoppe or subscription service and ask them to get it in.

      The way that this is structured is incredibly well done and as the ebb & flow of information is revealed to us we get this whole sense of almost deja vu. The pacing and this sense of intensity to the proceedings is fantastic and honestly without really having those action sequences it still the kind of story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I wouldn’t have pegged it to happen either because it’s rare that story alone could tense you up in such a way that with wide-eyed wonder you keep reading without realising just how bloody excited you are.

      The characterisation here is marvellous. While Henry and his brother, Rich, are already established characters they still have that air of authenticity to them from the show. If you are meeting them for the first time they are beautifully presented and through the dialogue you get a crystal clear look at who they are. Then there’s the flashback segment and that characterisation too is enough that it could turn you into a conspiracy theorist in moments upon hearing who had the bracelet and what happened with it and who wore it.

      The interior artwork is a mixed bag. I get why the flashback sequences are different I just wish they weren’t. The guys working on the present day stuff are absolutely killing it. The attention to detail that we see through the use of varying weights in the linework to create subtlety or brazen images has a striking effect upon the reader. Personally I would loved to see “that creepy smile” done by them then whomever was used to do it. It isn’t terrible but compared to the now well. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows us a strong eye for storytelling. The way that backgrounds are utilised is sensational in bringing a sense of size and scope to the book. Yes the colouring finishes thing off with aplomb and the setting sun on the water or the effect of that window ceiling yeah complete wow moments.
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     Either as a compliment to the series, which has three series so far and there is probably a fourth in the works, or as a stand alone the work being done here is amazing. The way the story is told and how we see it plus the way it’s able to spark the readers imagination is beautifully done and I cannot stress enough that this is something you should be reading. Broaden your horizons and experience something new, fresh and exciting.

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Dream Daddy #2

9/30/2018

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Dream Daddy #2
Oni Press 2018
Written by Lee C.A.
Illustrated by Jack Gross
Lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou


      There's a new Dad in the cul-de-sac... and he's already sunk his fangs into the neighbourhood! But Robert knows a vampire when he sees one, and he's armed with enough garlic and re-watches of F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu (1922) to get to the bottom of this mystery.

      So yeah I know this is like American Yaoi but seriously who is supposed to be the target audience for these? I find them fun, cute and all kinds of damn what is a Gay Melrose Place for single dads? Don’t get me wrong part of me is completely jealous because I don’t live on the cul-de-sac the other part is like this is too silly. So what I am trying to say here is that I love everything about this as it stands the creativity and imagination is top notch and I'll get into a few other things in a bit but I think it’s well past time for a book to just be fun, light-hearted and gay (old meaning).

     The opening is interesting and to be honest I wasn’t expecting it. So this actually worked at shaping my thoughts for the story and along with Robert I was a believer until the end. Okay but back to the opening, it is certainly everything you could hope it would be and so much more. It captures the mind, your attention and definitely the imagination of the reader which then can’t get you to go further any faster.

      I am pretty darn impressed with the pacing of the book here. One and done issues can be a tricky thing to make work well as you have a limited amount of time and space to tell a convincing story and flesh out the characters so the reader can find a way to connect with them on a personal level. So that Lee is able to do what he’s doing here is fantastic stuff. Robert is a character I could totally get into, that guys guy kind of rough around the edges, aware of his flaws and in the end interesting enough to support a full arc.

     Yes the characterisation is great and the opportunities taken to spotlight Robert and Damian have been really well conceived. Their first meeting is kind of brilliant and how it’s presented to the reader is even better! I am not really one for the flowery over the top kind of person that Damian is, his love of all things Victorian and Vampires isn’t my cup of 0 positive but the opposite yet very much the same do tend to attract each other in the end. Still the chase here is half the fun, one playing a role the other lost in his own mind shall we say it’s very fun to see.

     Jack well what do ya know I like the work your doing on the interiors. There is some absolutely splendid attention to detail in what we see and the cross or the night vision goggles, or even the stubble on Robert’s face all work really well here. Her style is kind of all-ages and kind of not though the way backgrounds are utilised is not all-ages because we see them, though I wish ever panel had them because I am just that guy who enjoys how they look and how they are able to expand the moment and give us more of a sense of size and scope of the story. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a solid eye for storytelling. Oh and that black & white really is Brill girl.
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     Alright Damian is very much not the kind of guy we might think he was but he and his son have tons of promise and Robert yeah he’s just too much and needs a four issue mini-series of his own. Ladies, Gentlemen and children of all ages this is what you need to get lost for a bit as you have coffee, tea or blood out on the porch in the cool fall weather.

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Faith Dreamside #1

9/30/2018

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Faith Dreamside #1
Valiant Entertainment 2018
Written by Jody Houser
Illustrated by MJ Kim
Coloured by Jordie Bellaire
Lettered by Dave Sharpe


     Faith Herbert was just your average super-fan of all things sci-fi and fantasy when she discovered she had superpowers of her very own-- the incredible power of flight! She moved to Los Angeles to try her hand at the hero gig as the high flying Zephyr, where she amassed a fan following along with a rogues gallery of villainous evildoers. She was living her dream, until a group of her most heinous foes framed her for murder, and turned the public against her. Recently returning from Hawaii, Faith finds herself hiding in plain sight under the guise of her alter ego, Summer Smith, waiting for the day when she can take to the skies once again…

      As much as Faith is a fan favourite character she seems to have a hard time in both life and keeping an ongoing series. Still that we continue to get these arcs is okay by me it is a nice route to take and is always a good gauge on the mind of the market. Jody is amazing and I believe I say that a lot about her but I really enjoy that she is able to write such strong compelling characters. She does a marvellous job here too and Faith has never seemed more human to me than she does here so I really like that aspect.

      The way that this is structured is excellent and Paige is a welcome character to see help Faith through her troubles, if she’ll let her. The opening really is strong and it’s nice to see that the ever cheerful, yes Rose Nyland of the Superhero set, show that she can be frustrated, angry and humbled as well. It is kind of heart warming and a reality check at the same time and this kind of “realness” is something I think we need to see more of as it’s handled with class.

     The way the rest of the story flows is just as strong and fun to see. The ongoing evolution of her as a person and seeing the characterisation feel as natural to her as the air we breathe isn’t groundbreaking but it really is refreshing to see. She is in what we like to call a funk and it happens when heroes are set up to take a fall and aren’t well versed enough in figuring out how to reverse it. So I would love to see take night classes that are out of her area’s of knowledge and comic books aren’t really textbooks no matter how much we want them to be.

      The interiors here, and throughout all Valiant books, is what the standard in comics should be. The crisp, clean lines and the way they are manipulated through their varying weights to create the subtle and bold moments are spectacularly well done. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows us a great eye for storytelling. The way that backgrounds are utilised and that we see the same attention to detail that everything else has just makes them a much stronger part of the story and storytelling process. Also the creativity and imagination on display is fun, it’s taken seriously but it’s FUN! I would be remiss not to mention the amazing colouring job done here too it’s so nice and has this real world feel about it that you almost overlook the fact that it’s that good.

      The fact that there is quite a bit of set-up that leads into the next issue doesn’t upset me in the slightest. This feels like it’s Faith’s book and this is just another chapter in it so we need to check in see what’s she is going through and pick things up from there. Though the one who comes to her is unexpected, delightful and the potential for this character is off the charts. Now I'm already ready for Doctor Mirage I mean talk about opposite end of the spectrum.
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     Smartly written, sassy even full of the woe is me this is still a positive message book that just being on shelves makes the world a better place!

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Rogues in The Shadow Over Gerada #1

9/29/2018

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Rogues in The Shadow Over Gerada #1
Amigo Comics 2018
Written by El Torres
Illustrated by Jordi Armengol
Coloured by Veronica R. Lopez
Colour Separations by Nuno Rodrigues & Ricardo Rodrigues
Lettered by Monkey Typers


     After a long journey, BRAM the barbarian and the sultry WEASEL are back in the mighty city of GERADA with a strange souvenir: THE EYE OF BYATIS, which they are trying to sell before it rots. Or before the gate of the doom it opened… THE GREAT OLD ONES!

     I don’t know what it is exactly about this that makes it something I love reading but I do know that El Torres has a way with words and the ability to write a damn well gripping story with the best characterisation around. Granted this is a Dungeons & Dragons style story but it has so much more to it than that. The friendship these two have with one another and how that is portrayed takes the book to a whole different level. Add into the mix the most outrageous misfortune and luck to cross their paths and you’ve got one of if not the most entertaining series around.

     The way that these are told so that each one flows into the next and yet each one is completely new reader friendly. The structure of the book is amazing and seeing how it flows as information is gained by the characters involved and the reader the way it is shows off just how talented El Torres is. Plus he manages to bring the horror aspect that so many people like with what this story appears to be focusing on is fantastic. I mean if you are a fan of Cthulhu or just the old gods monster mythos than you really should be reading this too. I mean hell fantasy, adventure and horror all rolled up into one story is something that needs to be read by all.

     The introduction of new characters is always welcome and more so when they aren’t out to kill our pair of intrepid adventurers. The narrator for this story for example is recanting the tale of how Bram and Weasel came into his life and changed the world forever. Of course this story has the introduction of both types of people into their lives but it has to be that way or they wouldn’t be in the position they are in otherwise and well then there wouldn’t be a story.

     The interiors here are like a dream come true. Jordi lays down some absolutely amazing work for the rest to work with. The way that the varying weights of the linework are used to create this sensational attention to detail makes me so very happy. And it isn’t just on the characters either the way that backgrounds are utilised and the attention given to them as well really creates the rooms, the moment, the place where they are seem more real. Then there is the utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels which show off such an eye for storytelling and you can’t help but think wow. Add to this the imagination and creativity on display and how the linework brings these things to life and I doubt you’ll find anything to complain about.
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     The pacing of the story, the use of then and now and how integral it is to how we learn things is so well done. I hear so much chatter out there about how the “Big 2” are making fans upset well my advice is to start looking at books from companies like Amigo Comics. This is home to some of the most well told stories that you’ll find on stands today. El Torres and company have here one of the absolute best books you aren’t reading.  

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Man-Eaters #1

9/29/2018

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Man-Eaters #1
Image Comics 2018
Created & Written by Chelsea Cain
Illustrated by Kate Niemczyk
Coloured by Rachelle Rosenberg
Lettered by Joe Caramagna
Additional Interior Art by Stella Greenvoss


      A mutation in Toxoplasmosis causes menstruating women to turn into ferocious killer wildcats—easily provoked and extremely dangerous. As panic spreads and paranoia takes root, the fate of the world rides on the shoulders of one twelve-year-old girl. Part Cat People, part The Handmaid’s Tale, MAN-EATERS will have everyone talking.

      Alright so I wasn’t sure I was going to read this but boy am I ever glad that I did. It is weird, quirky, entertaining and so outside the norm that you just can’t help yourself but like the damn thing. Thank god this is written by a woman or there would be an uproar in our current I want to find something to be offended by society. Still Chelsea is kind of brilliant and what she and her Ministry of Trouble bring us is nothing short of the next big thing!

      The opening here is phenomenal that notice and then to see Maude and her cartoon well it was completely wrong and exceptionally good. As she narrates her life and that of her father who is a cop but she doesn’t think he’s traditionally good looking as she shows us who is. There is this almost immediate liking of Maude going on here and it’s not really explainable but it is just there. She could literally be any twelve year girl and the way she dresses and behaves well it’s has that verge of innocence meeting being grown up. Or at least her version of grown up for now and she’s pretty self sufficient in many ways as kids are when trying to find their independence.

     The way that this is structured is fantastic. Chelsea creates this great ebb & flow through Maude’s narration as we learn what’s going on in this world. I find it incredibly interesting that the mutation in Toxoplasmosis is what sparks all this, if you have a compromised immune system cat litter could really be dangerous and taking that and tweaking the way Chelsea does not only makes it seem realistic but oddly enough also scientifically plausible. So yeah how we learn what’s going on is done in a way that not only introduces the series but sets this up in a way where you can lose yourself in the story.

     Kate and Rachelle do some spectacular work on the interiors here. The classic comic book style is there and we also get this other version of it that Rachelle’s colouring manages to make it look like either a flashback or just a faded poster. The manipulation of the varying weight of the linework is very well done and used to create chest hair to how we see that two page spread shows a lot of skill and talent on display. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a great eye for storytelling. I like how we see backgrounds being utilised to expand the moment, show us the bigger picture and give the story a sense of size and scope. Also the creativity and imagination on display is sensational. There are also these great moments that Rachelle gets to be creative in ways that pop and some of them in the most unexpected of places.
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     This is a hell of a lot of fun and I didn’t expect it to affect me the way it does. Also I am not going to lie when I kept looking at this I was singing Hall & Oats and I am okay with that they are great underrated duo. Take a walk on the wild side with this unusual and strikingly unique story that has excellent characterisation and interiors to match I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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Harbinger Wars II: Aftermath #1

9/29/2018

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Harbinger Wars II: Aftermath #1
Valiant Entertainment 2018
Written by Matt Kindt
Illustrated by Adam Pollina
Coloured by Diego Rodriguez
Lettered by Dave Sharpe


     When the world learned of the existence of psiots--people capable of undergoing a procedure to unlock fantastic abilities--the revelation was met with fear and prejudice. Governments of the world had to decide how to police these incredibly gifted individuals. Upset by the extreme anti-psiot stance the United States seemed to take, Amanda McKee, the psiot known as Livewire, shut off the United States power grid, plunging the country into chaos. Under the distraction of the resulting blackout, Livewire took control of the nanite-enhanced super soldier Bloodshot to mount an attack against the agencies that were hunting her people. Together, despite the efforts of X-O Manowar, they succeeded in destroying the aerial stronghold known as The Loveboat--though not without realizing that this was the kind of war no one would win. With the dust now settling, Livewire must face the aftermath of her decisions…

      One of the things about the Valiant Universe that I really like, appreciate and would like to see more of around the industry is the consistency in continuity. Each event fits into the stories that come after and are referenced so that they continue to matter. This is a cohesive world where the characters have loyalty to one another and yet still know they will be forced to encounter each on occasion and it’s this that makes Valiant so much damn fun to read. Oh yeah and Matt the man just defies explanation that he can be so prolific in the industry and keep all the stories straight.

     The way this is structured is expertly done. The book as a whole while kind of keeping the previous arc going also serves nicely as the introduction and direction that Livewire’s own book will undoubtedly be like. I am hoping that we get more Secret Weapons as well as that was actually one of my favourites back in the day and the mix of characters that have been assembled is working really well in my opinion. The opening I found fascinating as Amanda and Aric fix a satellite in space proving that she’s really not a terrorist just a freedom fighter and if you need to have the difference spelled out well we can talk.

      Matt is so gosh darn good at what he does and the characterisation here is utterly flawless and that we see how the characters are reacting and interacting with her really showcases just how well he knows them. It could be subtle things like Colin’s awareness or Aric’s newfound realisations but it speaks volumes about all those involved in her life. This world is amazing and Matt’s take on the characters and the storylines just keeps me riveted, coming back for more.

     Adam and Diego are killing it on the interiors here. I love that Valiant also cares about the work that goes into the interior artwork. The manipulation of the varying weights in the linework to create the attention to detail that we see, immediately by the way in the satellite, is sensational, around the world that Ganesh is gorgeous and makes me wish I had that. They “spared no expense” as John Hammond would say in making sure that we get the complete and entire picture in every way, see how backgrounds are utilised. Also the utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective showcase a superb eye for storytelling. The colours are beautiful and make moments and objects and people pop in all the right ways. Seriously this is among the stronger reasons why I love comics.
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     I like the Snowbeard interlude even if I am not 100% sure who the man with man-bun, never ever show that again, is. So there is something to look forward to that is going to make an impact for the long run and it’s promising as can be. This series has been exceptional and while I was worried about second war and now the idea of a third looming I am just going to sit back and enjoy the flow of whatever it is that comes next.

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Justice League Odyssey #1

9/28/2018

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Justice League Odyssey #1
DC Comics 2018
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Stjepan Sejic
Lettered by Deron Bennett


      When a cosmic menace threatens worlds beyond our own in the Ghost Sector, it falls to a new Justice League team to answer the call to battle! Cyborg, Starfire, Green Lantern Jessica Cruz and an out-of-his-element Azrael head to deep space inside a commandeered Brainiac Skull Ship. But as these wildcard teammates try to stop Despero from slave-trading Coluan refugees, they discover something that nothing in the universe could have prepared them for: Darkseid...who says he’s there to help?!

      As you might have noticed I don’t do a lot of DC reviews of late. We can skip the reasons behind that and I will tell you that Joshua is a writer whom I adore and whose career I have followed for ages, god that makes us sound old but from 2007 with Necessary Evil which I don’t have volume 2 of, put him with Stjepan and this is a series I couldn’t pass up even if I wanted to. These guys have done some out of this world work and as a result I am a fan of both men so here we are. Ironically I couldn’t be happier with this issue either.

       So one of the things about this book that I appreciate is that for those of us who haven’t read No, Justice get a nice catch-up on the events so that we can understand what’s happening and enjoy the story moving forward. I like that I also LOVE the fact that the dialogue coming from Cyborg finally admits something about the DC Universe that no one ever wants to address or admit to. What exactly that is you’ll have to read the book and find out for yourself because I am not giving that away.

      The way that this book is structured borders on the brilliant side for me. The opening is utterly spectacular as we see what happened when the planets were unleashed and created this Ghost Sector. Now I don’t know what species the Green Lantern is but that her Coluan lover watched her leave to get to the Guardians well it’s emotional and piques the interest and curiosity in the best ways. It makes me want to see more of this Ghost Sector and perhaps explore it further without any kind of ulterior motive other than to chart which planets they are and the races inhabiting them. I haven’t had this kind of desire since the Omega Men when they helped out the New Teen Titans, though L.E.G.I.O.N. did come close.

     Stjepan is a master of his craft when it comes to computer illustrated books. He does things that I hadn’t thought were possible and the way he can bring the characters to life, have them emote in ways we can feel and just the overall full use of the page continue to blow me away. The creativity, imagination and skill on display here is truly awe inspiring. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such a stellar eye for storytelling. The backgrounds we see are glorious and the way that the colours are able to pop yeah it is gorgeous.

     With the story at hand Joshua takes us on an unexpected journey that uses some amazing pacing and beyond expectation characterisation. There are moments when Starfire and Cyborg talk and it reminds you of their youthful days in the Titans and that alone is gold. Azreal resurrected for this, by that I mean I can’t remember the last time I saw him, is an extremely interesting choice and with what I see here I applaud it. Jessica for me I am mad about you just don’t overcome what she has or had and fully recover just because your a Green Lantern so unless Joshua addresses that it’ll be the only dark spot on this book.
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     From a creators standpoint these men have struck gold with this first issue. It is complex, interesting and it draws you in and makes you almost want to beg for more. This has the potential to finally be that series that allows Adam Strange to get his own series again. Finally let’s hope that no one messes with these guys and the vision they have for the book because this is frakkin awesome.

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Stranger Things #1

9/28/2018

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Stranger Things #1
Dark Horse Comics 2018
Written by Jody Houser
Pencilled by Stefano Martino
Inked by Keith Champagne
Coloured by Lauren Affe
Lettered by Nate Piekos of Blambot


      Will Byers is missing. The town of Hawkins, Indiana, including Will’s best friends and family scour the area looking for him. What they don’t know is that he’s lost in the Upside Down, an impossible dark parody of his own world. This grim realm seems desolate and empty but Will isn’t alone!

      This was sensational and for the pure reason that Jody is taking a look at what happened to Will from Will’s point of view. We didn’t see this in the show how Will fared while he was trapped in the upside down and for us to see that moment and to see him descend into the upside down whether he realised it or not. Being a fan of the show I tend to get excited for projects like this but then I have that nervous trepidation that it’s going to somehow not live up to expectations or feel so far removed from it’s source material that it is a disappointment.

     Thankfully Jody is such an accomplished writer that she can seamlessly enter this world and pick up and run with things. I completely felt as if this is an extension of the series and this spotlight on Will is a perfect companion to what we saw. I am so impressed with this that it took me by surprise because while the connection is there the characterisation we get for Will is game changing. From seeing him walking alone going home after a rousing campaign of Dungeons & Dragons to the flashbacks of those games we get a really solid look at Will as a person and character.

     The way that this is structured is great and the whole ebb & flow of what I am seeing is so smooth. The transitions from segment to segment are so well executed and that they tie together so well is impressive. I love seeing the now and then and seeing how the gaming and being Will the Wise is helping him be brave even if his character wasn’t doing too well. The confidence his friends and what they do give him is immeasurable in my opinion and Jody manages to convey that and so much more through the writing and through the interior artwork as well.

     I am a huge fan of the interiors here I love the attention to detail and the fact that the kids so closely resemble their real life counterparts. I love that the game sessions have this different approach but with the same meticulous attention to detail that we see throughout. The varying weight of the linework and how it’s used to do the in focus and backgrounds are so well done. Stefano lays down some killer pencils here and Keith and Lauren finish that off beautifully. As a collaborative effort it all comes together like a dream. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a very strong eye for storytelling.
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     If you are the one in a billion who haven’t seen the show then you doubly should read this. If you are a fan of the show this is the perfect compliment to it. This issue makes me want to see Dark Horse and this creative team to do a series of arcs that focus on each one of them and to have that hope and desire so quickly is surprising and a testament to these creators. The writing is sensational, the pacing, the characterisation and the interior artwork all conspire to make this one of the few properties that doesn’t detract from the franchise but only makes it that much better, something it seems Dark Horse manages to do quite often.

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Headhunter #1

9/28/2018

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Headhunter #1
Sitcomics 2018
Written by Darin Henry
Illustrated by Steven E. Gordon
Coloured by Glenn Whitmore
Lettered by Marshall Dillon


     Headhunter - the homeless hero who fights for the frail, battles for the broken and speaks for the silent - not with words but with actions... often very violent actions! But fate will suddenly and irrevocably change the life of the nocturnal knight. And in order to save the life of another, he may have to forfeit his own!

     I love small press or indie books and I feel like a broken record saying it but so many people are stuck in their own groove of DC or Marvel and I don’t understand their fear in reading books from another publisher. It makes no sense to me and if I could I would open my own shoppe and focus on these companies and help spread the word on just how gosh darn good they are. We see all the basic superhero tropes done time and time again and it’s hard to come up with a truly original character so inevitably comparison’s will be made but here so far the now three I’ve had the pleasure to read, and review, stand out as originals in my book.

     So amidst all the dark and violence that comes with being an anti-hero or vigilante Darin has decided to infuse humour in the form of the narrator. The narrator takes us through the first half of the story and that voice adds the missing link that’s needed to balance out the darker aspect of what’s going on. It is a pretty brilliant idea to do it that way and I found myself laughing despite the situation and that’s priceless. Darin continues to impress me with the level of talent, skill and creativity he brings to his work and he’s made me a firm believer who will pretty much read whatever he writes.

     The way the book is structured is fantastic. Darin manages to create a great ebb & flow to the proceedings as we get to see action and story at times become one. While the narration is silly and fun it doesn’t really give clues as to who the Headhunter is so his origins remain a mystery. Now I am in no hurry to learn it either, after all not knowing in this instance is more intriguing than having it spoiled too quickly. Personally I never saw the attraction of having to know everything about the main character right off the bat, I want to get to know someone and then work their origins into the story naturally as an interaction with someone else maybe I am the odd man out but I stand by it.

     I like the interiors here. The work falls somewhere in between standard comics fare and Saturday morning cartoons of old and it really works well here. There is some nice attention to detail going on here and I like the way the varying weights of the linework are used to show contrast and highlight those things features that should be noticed first. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a nice eye for storytelling. I would love to see more backgrounds being utilised because when we see Headhunter’s dwelling that was phenomenal and really expanded what we think. The work on that and the outside of the church complete wow moments and that’s what this could benefit from more of.
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     So I like the concept of the character and how he’s presented. I like he too has an old time feel about him thanks to how we see his costume or mode of dress whichever one seems to be appropriate. That he crosses over with Blue Baron and that crew drew some great characterisation and made me like the solitary hero aspect of him. I’m in and not just with this but I mean with all of it the company, the creativity and imagination on display and just the overall vibe and feel of the story. You need to tell your shoppe’s to order these books and help spread the word.  

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Vampirella Dejah Thoris #01

9/27/2018

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Picture
Vampirella Dejah Thoris #01
Dynamite Entertainment 2018
Written by Erik Burnham
Illustrated by Ediano Silva
Coloured by Dinei Ribeiro
Lettered by Troy Peteri of A Large World Studios’


      For centuries, the various tribes of Mars have stood on the doorstep of armed conflict and even global war. Only the spectre of a war without a victor has kept things in check. For centuries, the vampiric people of Drakulon have existed in peace, but now a global catastrophe has taken a massive toll. Spurned by desperation, one woman will attempt a near-impossible feat to save her people, taking her on a collision course with a Princess equally devoted to her populace…

     Once upon a time I would have balked at reading this and to be honest I am not even sure why. Perhaps it’s the scantily clad women and the overly sexual nature of the beast as it were. Now I am a much different person and I jump at the opportunity to read a story featuring these two strong, strong willed and even stronger personalities of these women make for some exceptional reading. Also Erik is pretty adept at understanding how these women behave and what kind of expectations the reader might have of them.

     I like the way that the book is structured. The opening is precisely what it its supposed to be. As the Astronomers of Helium are going about their daily business and unfortunately what they do doesn’t seem to be much when they stumble upon an incoming ship from space heading for them. Not directly for them but near enough as it’s trajectory is calculated and then it’s time to figure what to do about it. After all they must get to it before the Torquasians do. I have to say the intrigue that is built right off the bat should be more than enough for anyone to want to know and see more.

     I must admit that it is nice to see that women regardless of how advanced their civilisation might be are considered to be inferior to the men. Though Dejah Thoris is no man’s fool and I love the dialogue that comes with her and biting tongue. She’s a brilliant woman, a skilled fighter and a force to be reckoned with and she knows it and uses that to her full advantage, though if her grandfather weren’t the Jeddak I wonder if she would as formidable as she is. Still she’s a pistol and I love that about her and her grandfather sees that too and reminds her of it which is fantastic.

     The interiors here are simply marvellous to see. The manipulation of the linework through it’s varying weights to create this subtlety that makes the detail pop like it does is stellar work. From the linework in the armour to the way they shape the muscles in the body and how incredibly sexy ever last person we see looks well it’s something that I could stare at for hours. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a strong eye for storytelling. The way backgrounds are utilised expand the story and enhance the moments beautifully. While I do wish that Dejah and her people were more red in nature instead of flesh toned the work that Dinei does with the colouring is still remarkable. The creativity and imagination on display here blows me away.
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     With some amazing writing, characterisation and story development Erik really goes above and beyond what I could have hoped for or expected. The whole idea and reason why Vampirella arrives on the red planet and what’s still yet to come is going to rock this planet in ways that no one is able to predict. If you aren’t interested in this then your missing out because this is how you tell a strong story using two incredibly powerful women and make it smart, sassy and sensational.

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