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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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Pearl #2

9/22/2018

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Pearl #2
Jinxworld 2018
Created & Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Created & Illustrated by Michael Gaydos
Lettered by Josh Reed


      Pearl is a master tattoo artist and reluctant assassin for the Yakuza she was born into, with a very special gift taught to her by her late mother. But a secret she has kept from everyone may be her only chance at happiness beyond the world she was brought up in. This epic romance set in modern-day San Francisco.

     You can tell when a project is special by the feeling you get reading the book. In this case you can tell that these guys have been wanting to do this for a while and waiting for the right opportunity and platform to tell it. The time is now and in all honesty every time I look at these pages I feel like I am in the presence of greatness I can feel the passion they have for this book and these characters. When you can feel that from a book then you know it’s one that you have to read and won’t be able to give up. Love em or hate em there is no denying the talent of the men involved here and for me this is the most glorious thing they’ve done to date.

     I love the opening here and by using a flashback to when Pearl was a child and we see her passion for tattooing and her mother’s knowledge about her daughters passion and being ready for it. There is not just a lot of great storytelling going on with this but the characterisation is off the charts and just getting to see young Pearl like this it really does go a long way in seeing her now. Also damn Gaydos because to get to see him showcase Pearl’s drawings like this is absolutely stunning stuff.

     Part of what we see next almost reminds me of Romeo & Juliet and I have no issues with that because anytime star-crossed lovers are set up it’s going to be automatic in the reference. I mean it’s not uncommon in many parts of the world where certain clans don’t mix or mingle and if they do it causes problems and the solutions are not something you want to think about.

     The way this is structured is superb and Bendis really nails how to get the most out of the feelings from the reader with how the ebb & flow is done. The fact that Bendis can use the whole then and now effect to such a degree is amazing to me because it really just that well done. It also makes the past the characterisation that’s so important to how we see her behave in the now. I love how disconnected and yet joined it is and how it all just enhances the experience.

      I have already mentioned Gaydos and the work he’s doing here but honestly the way all of this comes across is genius. The colours that denote which is the past or the present are immediately identifiable. I adore the way we see the characters and their emotions coming off their faces and I keep saying the work on the faces and facial expressions can show off talent. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such a stellar eye for storytelling. Plus the work in like the clothes, see patterns, really stands out to me and the mix of styles throughout are wow factors.
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     Learning about her past and learn about what is to be expected of her now that the events of last issue show their ramifications. There is no real linear pattern here nor is there an endless loop instead the way we see what transpires feel like life. I cannot say enough things about this that make me happy and why you should be picking this up yourself if you aren’t already.  

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Rising Rebels #1

9/21/2018

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Rising Rebels #1
Jay Fotos Studios 2018
Written by Mark Kidwell & Jay Fotos
Illustrated by Jay Fotos & Jeff Zornow
Lettered by Tom B. Long


      The series starts with a framing story of a kid who finds a mysterious VHS tape in his dad’s old boxes of college junk. His dad can’t remember ever owning the tape and there’s very little information on the sleeve. The film is entitled, Rising Rebels and it’s a classic ‘80’s period gore flick. He and his dad pop it into a dusty VCR and off our story goes…

      If you have read the ‘68 series then you are familiar with these gentlemen if not and you like horror and specifically zombies then you out it to yourself to go out and find them! This time around they are going a different route with their storytelling and have created this flashback love letter to those absolutely amazing 80’s direct to video horror stories that are a not so guilty pleasure. So join me as we talk about some of the best horror storytellers out there today.

      The opens beautifully as dad is hollering at his son who is in the attic rooting around in dad’s old stuff from college. So basically we’re starting in the present because dad was a “kid” in the 80’s and when he gets to Evan the kid is beyond excited by what he’s found. The dialogue here is sensational to see and it’s no small stretch to see a kid of today saying old action figures suck and pointing the articulation is why. The enthusiasm is infectious and to see it all in one page sets the stage for to expect as the issue moves forward.

      Ya know what I love about this the most? It is the kind of bonding moment between father and son that happens so infrequently any more. There is a real genuine connection between them over the horror tapes, it’s VHS tapes so yeah, and regardless of how this is supposed to make you feel there is no way you won’t smile at it. My own father and I bonded over Star Trek, I am old so the original, and Monty Python films so I found so easy to relate to this.

     I love the interiors here. The horror has one quality while the rest have another so it’s like the real world and a film within a film. The way that the attention to detail is able to bring this to life is sublime to see. Whether it’s Boss Hogg as the Sheriff or the preppy with his sweater around his neck everything is done so nicely. However it’s really where the horror parts come into focus where the manipulation of the varying weights of the linework really shine. Add to that the way colours are utilised to create atmosphere and suddenly you can hear your own horror soundtrack running through your mind. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off this amazing eye for storytelling.

      Mark is one of the most underrated storytellers writing comics and I wish he’d do so much more work. His has this way of crafting the story so that the pacing, the way we see the ebb & flow run through it better than a half-naked girl running in any horror flick. The characterisation and just the overall vibe he’s able to create with the characters keeps me begging for more. Also that there are more twists and turns in the story than the long and winding road is just an added bonus. There is a reason some of the best stories being told today are done by the creators themselves without a traditional company involved.
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     With some of today’s best storytelling on the market in the states you really need to treat yourself and head to https://www.jayfotos.com/ and order the first three issues for yourself. Trust me you will not be disappointed.  

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Political Power Stormy Daniels

9/21/2018

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Political Power Stormy Daniels
Tidalwave Productions 2018
By Joe Paradise


      Stephanie Clifford (stage name Stormy Daniels) rose from the strip clubs of Baton Rouge to the top of the adult film industry. Today, however, she is best known as the woman at the centre of a hush money scandal involving the president of the United States. Through threats, lawsuits, and politically motivated arrests Clifford has refused to back down in her demand that the president be held responsible for his actions. Witness her journey from scrappy opportunist to unlikely feminist icon in the newest issue of Political Power!

      One of the things I always give the folks at Tidalwave credit for is that regardless of whom the issue features it’s done in a fair and unbiased way. As much as it pains me to say it I was fascinated throughout the whole book including the role that Trump plays in it, which is a whole lot more than I expected. Also the story has an incredibly interesting ebb & flow to it and while nothing here is presumptuous, it’s all based on what we have seen with our own eyes through the television coverage or his own words as well as those of Stormy’s. About the only thing we don’t really get is if there is confirmation of him have a small pecker.

     There is a moment when we see Stormy take charge after one too many of insults against women for her tastes. It is we are to assume is the moment she decided to go public with her affair with him and show him for the fraud that he is. Though let us be honest his fanbase is probably more proud that he banged a porn star than her allegations. Regardless the way that we see Stormy portrayed here is really darn impressive and while I know that most porn stars are seen in certain light most of them are fairly intelligent ambitious people who parley their work into something else as a career or learn to brand it, sell it and make a fortune from it.

     There is something about the way she met with him and had this affair that almost smells funny. I am not sure if she actually had feelings for him or if it was all a set-up from the get go. Then again maybe she knew what she was doing all along and planned to use this at some point in time I don’t think we’ll ever really know the truth of that.

     The interiors here are interesting. I say that because it’s got a very unique style to it and while it comes across between all-ages and caricature work it does seem more than oddly suited for the book. I think the humour behind the work actually benefits the story and doesn’t make it seem like it isn’t taken seriously. Plus it is a way to showcase those aspects of Trump and Stormy that make them who they are without having to worry about the reader not seeing who they are. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in they panels shows off a nice eye for storytelling.
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     We’ve seen them all over the news outlets and we all know the minute he yells fake news that it isn’t but in fact more real than he can handle. While some might say that this is cashing in on something let’s face it that’s what he’s famous for and this well might as well strike as the iron is hot after all it isn’t everyday a woman like Stormy Daniels can take on someone like Trump and make him quivering mass of jelly (unless he’s trying to jog) so more power to her. This really is a much better read than you’ll expect and it comes highly recommended.

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The Specialists "A Call To Arms"

9/21/2018

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The Specialists in “A Call To Arms”
In Character Comics 2018
Created & Written by Kenn Galati
Illustrated by Seth Martel
Coloured by Bethany Varni
Letters, Edits & Design by Daniel McNea


     The Specialists face their greatest threat as Sovereign City could be decimated by a power unlike anyone has ever seen. GeneSplice is up to no good with their manipulations of human and animal genetics and now have gone too far. Will the Specialists find this threat and be there in time to stop it?

      I love when people do what they love and unleash their creativity and take a chance the world at large is going to like it. This is the exact thing that I find at conventions in Artist Alley, unknowns who have a passion for the industry and show off a modicum of talent. I don’t think class or set of courses on writing can prepare anyone adequately enough when it comes to real thing. We all stumble and find ourselves struggling to find our voice, point of view and how to express that. When I first started doing this it was all about play by play which is huge spoilers but I evolved into a different kind of writer who talks about how a book makes me feel and why you should pay attention to them. So where am I going with my ramblings you wonder well let’s see.

     I talk about potential a lot when doing self-published books and that’s because I see the talent is there and it just needs a bit of seasoning. Write a book, a six issue arc and each time we read the next issue we see that growth and watch them fully blossom in front of our eyes. I see this in Kenn and his writing. The way the book is structured is nicely done and opening with a dramatic fight scene to capture the readers attention was a smart move. Smart for a few reasons as not only capture the attention but it gives us a starting point and then the opportunity to work our way back to it.

      The introduction of the characters could have been smoother take Ian, or Irish, for example I liked meeting him at his work and following him home. There is some excellent characterisation going on with him and Kenn manages to create this connection between Ian and the reader rather nicely. Honestly I'd have been happy with a full Ian story and then during the series give us background stories on the rest here and there. I mean they are an established team however Denise, Foresyght, Scentury well she could have used a tad more attention before she went around being kind of cold at least that’s how I see her. The story could have benefited from that.

      The interiors here are far from consistent. There are moments it’s utterly gorgeous and again the introduction of Ian being some of it. The linework is nice and the fact there is a fair amount of attention to detail I wish the entire book looked like this section. To be fair however I have no idea who he is and again it’s like his debut and it was probably more than he should have taken on or at least taken more time if that was possible. This is where quality work and deadlines meet and sometimes that can take someone trying to break in by surprise. Best page is when we see Ian’s wings with the buildings in the background. Colours included. Also not quite sure why but Dimitri and Frank seem to have a good consistency in their appearances as well which kind of makes me want to see Seth’s work once he develops further.

     There is a lot going on here and a lot of characters to juggle. Once the team reaches a certain destination and the influx of new characters arrives is when I really got into the story. Not only do we get to see the story continue to move forward in an interesting way. I think this is when things really begin to gel and I see where Kenn is going with this and that he is much more talented than I was expecting him to be. The start is a little rough but the writing gets stronger as the story progresses and it’s being able to see that potential that excites me.

     I like this and it’s a pretty solid premise introduce the team that is based in the city and protects the world. Throw in young guns who are just starting their journey and viola suddenly the opportunities are endless. This my friends is why it is so important to support the efforts of people trying to break into comics. Help them nurture their talents and grow and watch what happens as a seed grows into a mighty Sequoia.

You get your copy, digital or physical, here-- http://www.indyplanet.us/the-specialists-a-call-to-arms/

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Wolverton Thief of Impossible Objects #1

9/20/2018

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Wolverton Thief of Impossible Objects #1
Burnt Biscuit Books 2018
Written by Michael Stark & Terrell T. Garrett
Illustrated by Derek Rodenbeck
Coloured by Ellen Belmont
Lettered by Elizabeth McBride


     ABOUT WOLVERTON, THIEF OF IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS
     In turn of the century London, Jack Wolverton, gentleman thief, specializes in stealing the arcane, the accursed and the occult. With war about to break out, only he can stop the world’s most powerful artefacts (The Monkey’s Paw, The Hope Diamond and the Portrait of Dorian Gray) from falling into the wrong hands!

     I have had this for a month and I am just now getting around to it. Unfortunately I don’t always get to requests for reviews in a timely manner and well I do all this by myself I have no one else working the site with me while this isn’t an excuse it’s a reality. So now that I have finally read this I have to say this was an absolutely amazing introduction to the world that Wolverton inhabits. This is why I love perusing Artist Alley at conventions because you find books like this and the quality of this one right here is extraordinary.

     The opening narration with the image of a Cat well it catches your eye, draws you in and makes you curious about what we’re about to experience. Then to see Wolverton or The Black Cat in action is pretty spectacular and seals the deal of whether or not you are going to enjoy this book. Again when we see what is happening and how the characters react and interact with one another has this unexpected style and grace to it that I found mesmerising. This is the kind of work where the guys have actually done their homework and are depicting the characters as authentically as they possibly can.

     I am pretty darn impressed with the quality of the writing here. The way they’ve structured the book and how we see the ebb & flow of action and the release of information is superb. The introduction of characters and getting a sense of their personalities is something that is done extremely well. We get a sense of them not the full view so there is so much left to really explore and I get excited because no one is what they seem and that kind misdirection is effective in getting the reader to come back and discover more about them.

     The interiors here are absolutely stunning. I love what we see here and the attention to detail is exquisite and the fact that what we get oozes emotions and feelings is just a bonus. The manipulation of the linework through it’s varying weights to create the smallest details to the boldest of blacks it plays the most perfect of parts. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such a wonderful eye for storytelling. Backgrounds when they are used are sensationally well done and why they aren’t it feels right. Also this makes me feel like I am reading an older book, the kind that may be Pulp’s or books like House of Mystery, Secrets, Ghosts all those great series that were meant to thrill, excite and engage readers like no others.

     The concept behind the series is divine. A gentleman thief with the manners and ways of the elite that steals for the good of mankind. So take that and expand it in the way that takes him on these escapades that fuel his desire to prove science trumps magic and let’s face it while they didn’t have this term then but he’s an adrenaline junkie. So the introduction of two characters surprised me in the absolute best of ways here and I look forward to seeing how they change Wolverton’s views.

     This is an amazingly good story with some truly gifted interior artwork. It engages the reader and transports them back to a time when people dressed to leave the house, had good manners and liked to experience all the world has to offer. It is exciting for all the right reasons and I cannot recommend that you support this enough!

You can order this one and pre-order the second issue here-- https://www.wolvertoncomicbook.com/

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Olivia Twist #1

9/20/2018

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Olivia Twist #1
Berger Books/Dark Horse Comics 2018
Written by Darin Strauss & Adam Dalva
Illustrated by Emma Vieceli
Coloured by Lee Loughridge
Lettered by Sal Cipriano


       A girl power epic! To save a boy she barely knows, teenage orphan Olivia Twist joins the Esthers, a rag-tag girl gang of thieves running free in a dangerous future. Olivia's life in this London of internment camps and dark technology gets even more complicated when she discovers that she has more power and wealth than she's ever dreamed of. But it comes at a great cost.

      I was a little leery of reading this one but given Berger Books track record I thought I would go ahead and give it a try. Mind you Oliver Twist was one of my favourite films growing up and nothing could replace Mark Lester as Oliver in my heart. That having been said this doesn’t try to remake the original story, sure it takes the concept of the story and runs with it set in a London of the future where the worst of humanity has reared it’s ugly head and they won.

    The opening here is good, strong and solid stuff. I like how we get the narration from Olivia which means she’s recanting the tale of her life from before it even began. While this may or may not indicate a happy ending we do know that she’s still alive. Or she recorded the story for prosperity either way I don’t believe her story ends here. I am very impressed that the guys are able to create a setting in which the London of the future ends up resembling the London of the Industrial Age. The landslide of civilisation is something few can pull off well and wow this is more than well done folks.

     The way that this is structured is very well done. I like seeing some clues here and there regarding characters and foreshadowing. The flow of the book is so good that I honestly thought that this was some kind of oversized special at first. It isn’t but there is so much story packed into this and in such a way that it’s like magic was used to get it all in without it feeling like we were being bombarded or had too much forced upon us. The pacing really is sensational and its got that ebb & flow to it that feels more like roller coaster than going through the rapids.

     I like the interiors here also. The linework comes across as delicate at times which for me is perfect for the faces and facial expressions which for me are a true measure of talent. The manipulation of the linework through such thin, clean, crisp lines create that perfect balance between soft, hard and damn creepy. It is amazing how much emotion the work brings and how the colours are able to be as soft or hard as the linework and location need them to be. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off a superb eye for storytelling. Plus the way that we see backgrounds being utilised makes a huge impact on seeing and understanding what the world has become.
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     With the setting and what this is based off of this could be and might well be something spectacular. That the names are pretty much the same only gender swapped could have made this just another run of the mill telling of a classic Dickens story. However with the kind of characterisation that we get and how integrated it is with this era and how far humanity has fallen it feels fresh, new and exciting in all of the best ways. I am hooked on a feeling and it’s glorious!

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Burnouts #1

9/20/2018

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Burnouts #1
Image Comics 2018
Written by Dennis Culver
Illustrated by Geoffo
Lettered by Dave Dwonch
Colour Flats by Lauren Perry


      A new ongoing series that combines the paranoia of They Live with Stranger Things. To save their friends and families, a group of high school teenagers must fight off an attack on their town by a secret alien invasion… but they can only see the aliens if they’re completely wasted. The Burnouts are saving the world one puff at a time!

     Normally I wouldn’t go for something like this as I am not a smoker though I used to be until I discovered how sick it would make me. So with unpleasant memories of getting high aside I tend to think of pot humour to be as lowbrow as fart jokes. So what drew me to this one then? Well the concept was intriguing to say the least and then upon reading it I discovered that this wasn’t your run of the mill story at all but it’s actually got a nice bit of substance intermingled with a little secondary school humour just because.

     Dennis impressed me with this one and I have to admit I like being impressed this way. The opening here is fantastic and it gives us a look at those they call the Burnouts who happen to be a group of kids who we would normally call rebel rouser's in polite company. Or drop outs, losers and the ever classic juvenile delinquents. Still it makes the reader wonder what’s up with these kids and what the heck is going on which of course leads us to want to know more as these things inevitably do.

     I like the way that this book is structured. It is done in a way that really feels normal to life for these folks. Also going back to the classroom that’s being taught by the Coach yeah it’s funny how the P.E. teacher would end up teaching sex ed and those types of classes, ours did that and taught driving yeah that was a long time ago. The way we are introduced to these characters is very well done we immediately got the kind of impression of them that the public has, which by the way just so you know is much different than what they really are at least in most cases.

     So the all-ages style of artwork fits nicely for this story. Considering the subject matter and the company publishing this it is far from all-ages however. There is some interesting attention to detail here and I like how we see the characters and the hairstyles and way they dress I almost feel like this a very dark John Hughes 80’s flick. I want say that there should be more backgrounds being utilised but I am actually liking what is currently in place. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows a nice eye for storytelling. It really does fit with the story beautifully and I like the humour in what we see through the visuals.

     I think this is equal parts pro and con smoking pot and ultimately it’s really up to you as an individual to decide what you think, on your own. In the meantime Earthy is being invaded and the only way to combat them is to see them and to see them you have to be well not sober and able to see them. Suddenly the reason for getting stoned becomes saving the world one joint at a time and as ridiculous as that sounds I am dead serious. Andy Christopher Curtis a nerd wanting to branch out and rebel against how he’s seen now this is a relatable character and the way we see everything through his eyes makes it all the more fun.
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     Surprisingly smart, sassy and fun this is going to be your new comedic obsession!

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Patience! Conviction! Revenge! #1

9/19/2018

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Patience! Conviction! Revenge! #1
Aftershock Comics 2018
Created & Written by Patrick Kindlon
Created & Illustrated by Marco Ferrari
Coloured by Patrizia Comino
Lettered by Jim Campbell


    Disregarded, disrespected and dismissed, Renny has a chip on his shoulder. Once an equal partner in a criminal syndicate that rules Las Vegas, he now finds himself living in a shack in the desert. But the shack has a workshop, and Renny's been busy. It’s time to march his robot army into the neon hell of a cyberpunk Vegas and retake his seat at the table. Or take the wood from the table and build enough caskets for the whole syndicate. Old friends better run, because Operation PATIENCE! CONVICTION! REVENGE! is underway.

     I found this to be rather interesting for a number of reasons but most of all because of this whole steampunk aspect. It doesn’t feel like this is a normal progression of any Steampunk world that I have seen in the past instead it feels more like the rise of Steampunk after some kind of tragedy suffered in the world. Like this is their attempt at reclaiming society and they don’t have the exact same technology they had before and have had to improvise using steam as a primary source of power. I could totally be seeing/reading this wrong and if so that’s okay because mainly it is how the reader sees it and connects to it that matters.

     The opening is nicely done it’s just enough to paint a picture of the desert outside Las Vegas as the desolate wasteland that it is. Also the colouring and the dialogue that we get is so well suited for the location and premise behind what we’re seeing that in all honesty captures the imagination of the reader vividly. Aftershock continues to be a go to company for me when it comes to choosing not only new series to read but to stay with for the long-term.

     Seriously what happens in the desert has possibly friend Renny’s brain beyond repair but that hasn’t been able to diminish what he can do with electronics. He built himself an army of damn robots and his bestie type is Robot Paul who as you will learn might just play a different role in all this than anyone possibly expects. At least I am hoping because the idea I have in my head is one that I would dearly love to see play out in some way, shape or form.

     The interiors here are pretty damn spectacular as Marco and Patrizia pull out all the stops on the work we see. The attention to detail here is incredible and the manipulation of the varying weights of linework are used to create such beautiful moments as well as making the backgrounds make come to life. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such a great eye for storytelling. The imagination and creativity on display here make the interiors feel like they could go up against Howl’s Moving Castle. The colours depending on where in the story it takes place really do emulate the atmosphere of that location and I gotta say combine that with the linework and wow.

     The way the book is structured and how we are given the information about Renny, this world and how he got to where he is done stupendously. Also while Renny is kind of hot and Brell is no slouch either and the man we meet in Las Vegas well I cannot wait to learn about him. So far everyone we meet has some great characterisation and are explored perfectly in context with Renny, his life and where he’s headed.
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     With a strong premise, amazing writing and some stunning interiors this is going to make say Westworld what’s that?

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G.I. Joe A Real American Hero Silent Option #1

9/19/2018

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G.I. Joe A Real American Hero Silent Option #1
IDW Publishing 2018
Written by Larry Hama
Pencilled by Netho Diaz
Inked by Alisson Rodrigues & Jagdish Kumar
Coloured by Vinicius Townsend
Lettered by Neil Uyetake


     Following in the bloody footsteps of the smash-hit “Dawn of the Arashikage” story arc, living legend Larry Hama brings us the newest chapter in breakout character Dawn Moreno’s G.I. JOE journey—and her first (un)official mission as a JOE may very well be her last… and nobody will ever know. Because when Agent Helix is involved, the only option is the SILENT OPTION.

     There are very few people around who understand not only these characters but the world of the Joe’s in general like Larry does. That is what makes these stories so gosh darn exciting and good in my humble opinion. The chance to get to know them like this is one of the reasons why people seem to change who their favourite Joe is. In this round it’s time to tackle the life of Helix before she was a Joe and since. This is the start of getting the story behind this enigmatic young woman with a chip the size of the Moon on her shoulder.

     The opening here is great we get to see the couple the took Helix in and they provide us with a bit of background that slightly illuminates how hard it was to get her to open up. Plus Bombstrike I mean hello she really is working very hard to take Lady Jaye’s place as my favourite female Joe is on the case and what they find well this goes a very long way in showing us Helix’s mindset and how she used everything she could to find piece of mind in doing what she could to find a way to ease her troubled mind.

     The way that this is structured so that we get a nice smooth ebb & flow in everything we see is extremely well done. The use of infiltration tactics and the gun fights and general overall fighting that we see with each new turn not only manages to capture those snippets of who Helix is but just what kind of woman she is and how far she’s willing to go to get what she wants. While yes what she’s doing is kind of noble but for all the wrong reasons and happening in all the wrong ways it is still some very powerful characterisation for a character that isn’t even present.

     The interiors here are utterly amazing! The attention to detail that is on these pages is so sensational and seeing how Netho is able to manipulate the varying weight of the linework to create such fine lines that work together to really bring this to life in such a perfect way amazes me with every page. Then to see how it’s inked just as finely and finished off with the colours the gradation and the smoothness of this is as good as Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch. The utilisation of page layouts and how they show the angles and perspective in the panels demonstrates a stellar eye for storytelling. The way that backgrounds are utilised is beyond expectation and really does wonders in expanding the story through size, scope and location.
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     This is the kind of storytelling that we used to get from Wolfman/Perez in the 80’s and there is an excitement that comes from just looking at the interior pages. Then add to that the quality of storytelling, the strength of characterisation and what we see this team encountering in their search for their missing comrade and this is unbelievably good stuff. This is why comics are made, why we love them and why the Joe franchise will never ever go out of style.  

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The Seeds #2

9/18/2018

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The Seeds #2
Berger Books/Dark Horse 2018
Written by Ann Nocenti
Illustrated, Lettered, Logo and Design by David Aja


     In which a spaceman overshoots his mark, the Queen Maker arrives, the bees are fed up, someone is kidnapped, the American Dream gets feral, the alien Race is buried in the quicksand of love, and the secrets of the zone are revealed.

     Sometimes I feel like I have no idea what’s going on but I am still fascinated nonetheless and I cannot turn away. This has something of a mesmerising effect upon the reader and uses their curiosity and desire to be in the know to their full advantage. I love love love the opening here because it’s just so visual and narration about it is incredibly amusing. Plus what David brings to it just sings and shows us what the narrators cannot see and it’s a feeling that will unique to each individual reading this book. That alone should be an amazing enough reason for everyone to be reading this and if it’s not well go find it and see what I am talking about.

     I personally love the way that Ann has structured this story. I mean the opening really is brilliant and the pacing that we get is so sensational. The ebb & flow created here as we see Lola leave through the wall and meeting up with Race to how our intrepid reporter still tries to uncover the story of a lifetime it all just goes together. While they do and don’t meet up and the things that are seen and learned in these pages all feel like they are come across in the most natural of progressions.

`   So the aliens that have arrived on Earth have come to harvest seeds. What kind of seeds well you will have to read this to see for yourself but for now it feels like we, through Lola, are taken to some mad scientists laboratory and it’s creepy as all get out which kind of goes hand in hand with these aliens in their gas masks. Of course that they’ve arrived here and have no idea what happened to our planet and what we do learn well it’s kind of that abridged version of one who really didn’t understand the full ramifications of what took place.

     God I love David’s work here. There is an amazing level difference in what I saw in Hawkeye compared to this and this couldn’t be any better if he tried. Not just the attention to detail that he is bringing with his signature style but the entire mood, tone and feel of each page is so increasing impressive. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off his super strong eye for storytelling. Plus the use of greys and black that we see are magnificent and just punctuate the story in all the right ways. The way that backgrounds are utilised is such a joy to see and how they add to the mix a creepiness and expand the story in terms of moments and scope & size.

      The way this unfolds is utterly amazing and I want to talk specifics but that would absolutely ruin the whole thing with spoilers. The characterisation here is marvellous and I have to say that the more we see of these characters the more they grow upon us and the more real they become. Hell even if the aliens are a metaphor than actual beings from space, which by the by I can totally see happening, and the way that the world inside the walls see the world outside the walls well that’s another thing which I'd like to see explored more.
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     So incredibly well written and sublimely illustrated this really does capture the mind and imagination beautifully.

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