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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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Red Winter #3

9/30/2019

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Red Winter #3
Scout Comics 2019
Created & Written by Michael Gordon
Created & Illustrated by Francisco Munoz
Coloured by Rolands Kalnins
Lettered by Nikki Sherman


     Kapotnya is burning. The war between the Rasplata Rytsari and the Chistyye Krovi has exploded into a maelstrom of violence. Eli Winter is holed up in a dingy apartment, desperately trying to formulate an escape plan while a (former) doctor (drunkenly) tries to keep his son Joseph alive. And now Charlie Abraham, a woman with mysterious motives and an even more mysterious past, has made her presence known in Kapotnya. How could things get any worse, right?

     Alright I am totally into this series and for me it feels like a few of those Detective Shows that I love watching on Netflix. The European ones where most of them are are sub-titled but they are so awesome that it doesn't matter. They have this amazing cinematography and acting that they just stand out and really captivates the viewer. This story has the same effect on me it is captivating and is told in a way that would make on hell of a film or series. This has so much intensity to the writing and the subject matter and there are definitely things within it that make your head spin.

     I am totally digging the way that this us being told. The story & plot development here is sensational and the way we see the information released and how situations play out have this affect on the reader that will blow you away. Add into this the character development and we begin to see sides to people that we didn't know where there. These hidden characteristics when they emerge are wonderful little surprises that only enhance how we see them. When you factor how the pacing picks all this up and moves everything forward we see the twists and turns as well people coming to the forefront that have only been shadowy type figures. I am extremely impressed with Michael's skill and talent as a writer and that only strengthens with each new issue that comes out.

     At this stage we don't need the opening to be that moment where it grabs the readers' attention and makes them want to see more. We may not need it but we still get it. I think that the opening which adds a little humour to the story as it mows down to the meat of it is well done. Plus I feel as if the escalation of events that we are seeing happen in such a way that we expect it to considering what we've seen in the last few issues.

     Francisco continues to impress me as well. His style is that of a truly indie artist but it really kind of works to his benefit with that here. We get to see some great attention to detail and some marvellous utilisation of the linework through it's varying weights. I am still more of a fan of the backgrounds than I am of the characters themselves but life is all about preferences and how here that is how mine run. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate the entirety of what he's doing. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a marvellous eye for storytelling. The colour work is outstanding to see. There are moments the colour pops out at the reader and makes a statement on what we should be seeing. Also there is some nice techniques here for showing us how gradation can be smartly done and how the various hues and tones within a colour can create shading and shadows.
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     While I still can't believe we haven't seen anyone naked, the pissing scene well that should've showed something, that's okay there is violence there is story and there is behind the scenes manipulation and plenty of machinations on everyone's part. The story is amazing to see unfold before our eyes and to see the characters grow, change and evolve well it's at times heart-warming and other times it feels misplaced but all in all it still has the ring of truth to it. Mishpachah comes in all shapes and sizes so what we see is really pulling at me in all the right ways.

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The White Trees #2

9/30/2019

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The White Trees #2
Image Comics 2019
Written by Chip Zdarsky
illustrated by Kris Anka
Coloured by Matt Wilson
Lettered by Aditya Bidikar


     Violence is on the wind, and Krylos hasn’t taken a breath in decades. Can he save his son AND his soul while regaining the trust of lost friends?

     Sweet punim Happy Rosh Hashanah Chinese mustard this is the one of the most unexpected gifts to a father that I have ever seen. What the guys have done here is build a brand new world full of creature characters who live life however they see fit while contributing to the Kingdom in some way. With Kings and rulers come wars and necessity not to mention conniving machinations where they aren't needed. These are three very different men, regardless of whatever race they happen to be and whom they happen to be lovers with. So different and so much the same all needing this journey they are on for as different reasons they are different from each other.

     The way that this is being told is phenomenal to me. The story & plot development here as it reveals information along the ride is strong and fascinating and takes these unexpected turns. Alongside or mixed with the character development that is as flexible as fabric and as unforgiving as a woman scorned. There is fire there is passion and there is that moment of realisation of what a life lived and lost can cost you. I laughed, I shook my head and at the end I cried this world is one I think we need to see more of. There are corners of and people in this world who stories need to be told and the people that we have met their stories are far from over. While this isn't up to me it is what I feel deep inside my bones.

     We have seen plenty of stories from these folks before and yet this one feels so much different than we've seen so far. That it makes this feel that way at least to me as the reader shows how they have managed to find another gear to shift into. Sometimes when a project becomes than that it is easy to see through the intensity of the work and how much stronger we connect to the characters and how much we end up going off-script thinking of the ways that we relate to the characters be it as the parent or the child.

     Jeez Louise, Mary and Josephine the interiors from Kris are so amazing. Krylos is the kind of dad I want to call Daddy. The way we see his body, his pants that fit preciously close to his manhood with the muscles, the hair and those smouldering eyes. If he can make me lust after him like this then I cannot wait to see what else the man can do. The linework throughout the issue is so strong and stead and shows this sure hand and while he manages to utilised the varying weights to create this attention to detail in everything we see is astounding. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show this stupendous eye for storytelling. Do I wish there were more backgrounds being utilised, of course I do that's just who I am because they really enhance the moments and bring a size and scope to the book. The colour work we see is so nicely done. Between the shades of the armour and the way we colour choices and the hues and tones within creating the shading and shadow work we get this beautifully alien landscape and species.
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     Where last issue we saw a lot of nudity and penises that were a size queen's dream come true this issue there isn't any of that instead we see things presented differently and yet much more on the side of sexual intensity. The attitudes we see, the way they grow and evolve before our eyes and the tragedy of what we see and know is so life changing. I mean for the reader though it applies to the characters as well. I adore the fact that in the world we live in today these creators felt comfortable enough to do something this graphic, this intense and make it seem normal as the air we breathe.  ​

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Tommy Gun Wizards #2

9/30/2019

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Tommy Gun Wizards #2
Dark Horse Comics 2019
Written by Christian Ward
Illustrated by Sami Kivelä
Coloured by Christian Ward with Dee Cunniffe
Lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou


     In their struggle to take down Al Capone and his bootleg-magic operation, Eliot Ness and his Untouchables must navigate corrupt church officials, mystically enhanced bruisers, and ruthless wizards with obscure intentions who pull the strings behind the scenes. But can Ness keep up without succumbing to his own dark side?

     I love this because it's always fun to see alternate history stories and in this one we get Ness and Capone being able to do magic. Now I am not sure how many issues this is going to be, but I am guessing four, and already the way that this story is being told is utterly fabulous. The opening is everything you could possibly want and more. We see Candice bringing a dry into the Curtain Room, the most exclusive of the Magic Club's in Chicago yeah this is not only exciting and showing off a bit of the way the world is at the moment but we get to see Candice in her element and I think while we still see Ness this is all about her and the extra jolt of characterisation the fleshes her out more. It is so well done and it just makes you love her wickedness all the more!

     The way that this story is being told is bloody brilliant indeed. The story & plot development that we are seeing and how it releases information to the reader is so strong and amazingly well done. Christian's writing here is beyond exceptional and this story is on point as the characters feel true to who they are while thrust into situations they'd never actually be in so seeing how they react and handle all this yeah it's just that good. This of course leads into the character development and I couldn't be any more impressed with what we see here. Capone and his ego is so much more exaggerated and that he feels he's the deal, even when there's someone, or something, else that is more powerful than he is, the dynamic is stupendous. With the pacing picking it all up and moving the story forward revealing the twists and turns and those stunning unexpected moments that hold the readers' interest.

     The interiors here too are stunning. The linework that we see and how it's varying weights are utilised to create this attention to detail really makes every moment feel like a stand-out moment. I mean the clothing that they wear, the design of the suits and even Candice's suit they all have that air of authenticity. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show this strong and talented eye for storytelling. The composition inside the panels with how backgrounds are utilised and they enhance the moments, bring us this scale and size and scope to the story and importantly we see depth perception. The colour work is marvellous as well and the way light sources are utilised to create shading and shadows by utilising the colour and the hues and tones within that colour.

     I love how things are done in this story. There are so many moments where we see Ness and his men and as a reader we know what is happen but the characters within the story don't so those moments are amazingly well orchestrated. Christian's way of constructing this looks like it is so complex to keep the layering in place and have all the moving parts and yet it's like a clock where it just works so well together each piece moving and keeping up with each other.
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     This is why we read comics to feel excited and electrified again like when we first started reading them. This whole book is a complete wow factor from the writing through the interior artwork and finished with the lettering.

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Star Trek Discovery: Aftermath #2

9/30/2019

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Star Trek Discovery: Aftermath #2
IDW Publishing 2019
Written by Kirsten Beyer & Mike Johnson
Illustrated by Tony Shasteen
Coloured by J.D. Mettler
Lettered by Neil Uyetake


     This story take place between the disappearance of the U.S.S. Discovery and the return of Spock to active duty on the U.S.S. Enterprise at the end of Season Two. Captain Pike has retrieved his first officer, Mr. Spock who was on leave on Vulcan after the disappearance of his sister, which has shaken him to the core. Reluctantly, Spock has agreed to accompany Captain Pike to a political summit with the Klingons. Meanwhile, L'Rell has enlisted the help of young Kor to help keep her safe from those who are unhappy with her rule. But Kor is brewing his own secret plans behind her back...

     I am more than kind of enamoured with this story. Everything we see in the show is translated to this book beautifully. With all the main players, sans Michael and the crew of the Discovery of course, here and in the same form that we've become used to seeing them in make for a delightful addition to the end of season two. Sometimes when folks try to take a television program and keep it going in comics form it feel different, like someone tried too hard to make it work and yet here it feels like a seamless transition and that's impressive to me.

     I love the way that this is being told and how the story & plot development is able to bring information to light in some natural feeling ways. With the character development we see their established personalities intact and yet feel as if they are still growing and evolving under the circumstances and events happening around them. L'Rell has quickly become one of the series most popular and beloved characters since we can see so many dimensions of her being revealed depending on whom she is interacting with. With the pacing here moving everything forward and showing us revelations, twists and turns as the story dictates adds this sense of danger, excitement and adventure to what we see.

     I like the fact that there are things we expect to see because of the foreshadowing and the current events that abound within this universe and around these characters which DO happen only not as we expect to see them unfold. The way we can be surprised and thrown off the scent as it were being accomplished here is fantastic and it's why I keep coming back and wanting this to be more of an ongoing series than a limited one.

     Tony is an unsung hero in the industry as his work on the interiors is really sensational stuff. The ability to keep the characters looking pretty darn dead-on their television counterparts isn't easy but he makes it looks that way. That two-page spread with those mountains buildings and the Klingon Cleave Ship was extraordinary to see. The faces and facial expressions not to mention the body language that we see adds an extra layer of characterisation to the story. The way the page layouts are done and how we see the composition inside the panels with how backgrounds are so prevalent is beyond what I could have hoped for. Tony has one of the best eyes for storytelling in the industry not to mention the way he can utilise the varying weights within the linework to create this kind of attention to detail. The colour work is just as impressive as we see colours and the various hues and tones utilised to create this shading and shadow work.

     Now since I am not a fanatic and I don't know history or timelines within this universe I have no real idea when the peace treaty with the Klingons cam about. Though I was under the impression that their empire was in deep trouble and needed the Federation to help them out but with all that's happened and all these different shows and timelines we'll see what happens. After all before Discovery no one had ever heard of Michael and surely didn't know she was Spock's sister in whatever the capacity that was.
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     This feels so impressive, so well thought out and executed that it just has that feel of fitting right into what the show is and has been. I do sincerely hope there will more and if they are going to do these between seasons then okay let's keep the show going for a long time to come. This is an exceptional book and even if you don't watch the show it's pure goodness that should be read by all.

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Doctor Mirage #2

9/30/2019

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Doctor Mirage #2
Valiant Entertainment 2019
Written by Magdalene Visaggio
Illustrated by Nick Robles
Coloured by Jordie Bellaire
Lettered by Dave Sharpe


     Death was no obstacle for Doctor Mirage, who could speak to the departed. But what happens if she’s one of the deceased? Her new ally, Grace, claims to be in the same dead boat, but can you really trust someone so young and inexperienced? How did Doctor Mirage end up in this spot? Find out here!

     I am thoroughly enjoying this story so far. While we know that Shan isn't going to stay dead, though Hwen should, it isn't about the end result it's about the journey getting there. So far the way that Magdalene is telling this story is beautifully done it has this obscure way about it that suits the story and the introduction of Grace. There is one element that we see here which at first puzzled me and then when I thought about I understood it and being this kind of involved and invested so quickly is extremely well done.

     I like the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see unfolding before us through the information that is revealed is some bloody brilliant work. Magdalene is writing the story of her life right here, this is best work I have seen from her and if this is how good she has become now I cannot wait to see what lies in store. The character development is sensational and the dialogue is where we get so much information about them. It is also where much of the story & plot development gets their leads to keep moving forward thanks the pacing which reveals the twists, turns and shows us the revelations. I love that you have to actually read this story and you cannot skim it or you'll miss something important.

     I also really appreciate seeing a story within a story here. While tying the way Shan has been single-minded in her pursuit of reviving her husband. This is dangerous and reckless and while Hwen constantly reminds her of this it doesn't seem to truly matter. She is headstrong and demanding of herself in ways that most people couldn't do. Still how the two are tied together and how we see the past tie into the present is exceptionally well done.

     Nick and Jordie's work on the interiors needs an award and I am dead serious about that. All these psychedelic imagery on the pages that pull from so many different influences blend together to make a stunning statement. The contrast between this and the flashback is perfectly done and how we see the linework through it's varying weights being utilised to create this attention to detail continues to amaze me. How we see the composition inside the panels which help create this wonderful depth perception as well as some good scale blows me away. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels bring us this magnificent eye for storytelling. The way that backgrounds are being utilised makes me a happy fanboy as we see them enhance the moments and bring a size and scope to the book. The colour work is truly amazing and how the various hues and tones create the shading and shadows is beautifully done.

     This book is why I love Valiant so much. The characters are never static they constantly grow and evolve with each new story. As the reader we get to see this happen before our eyes as the situations they find themselves in test them to their limits. Magdalene and company really showcase Shan and what she is about here and letting us get to know her in ways we never have before.  For instance I believe that the past is why the present is happening in her mind, could she be living this as a result of what she's done?  Time of course will tell. 

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Herald: Lovecraft & Tesla in Bundles of Joy #2

9/29/2019

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Herald: Lovecraft & Tesla in Bundles of Joy
Action Lab Entertainment 2019
Written by John Reilly
Illustrated by Tom Rogers
Coloured & Lettered by Dexter Weeks


     Einstein reveals the truth about his work with Edison. Hitler begins his search for a new cult ally. Howard and Sonia deal with the ramifications of their curse. Tesla uses the Ceryx ex Praeterito to revel in nostalgia.

     I find myself being drawn to books such as this one, it has to do with the way we see these characters being utilised. These men that we are seeing within these pages are some of the greatest minds to have existed and as well as being complete enigma's. So whether it's in Sanctuary, Rough Riders and now this it is the promise their minds and personalities being fleshed out in ways that are new, different, fresh and that adventurous kind of exciting that capture the readers attention, imagination and creativity.

     The way that John is telling this story is amazing! We see these men with very different, distinct and high-strung personalities and they are attempting to work with with one another and they clash all too often. However in how I see this happening is they clash more like siblings than true rivals, friends whether they admit it or not and all the entrapment's that brings. The story & plot development that we see alongside the character development manage to bring about how we see the release of information, revelations, including how they really feel about one another, and thanks to the excellent pacing here the twists and turns as well.

     Sometimes we see how new characters are introduced to the series and how they manage to fit into the grand scheme of things or just as those who hold special places in their hearts. Like Nikola and Amelia, who as this time has been lost to the world and no one seems to know where. So John has this way of being able to engage the reader by taking them off-script with what they know or think they know of the characters already and trying to reconcile all of this in their minds. So thus being invested as well as engaged in the book in some truly wondrous ways.

     The interior artwork here is really extremely well done. The all-ages style is stupendous and the way it is also is utilised to create this beautiful attention to detail is so well done. The little details in what we see like the diving bell suit mask or that house in Vienna we see from the outside are what make this as familiar and haunting as it is. There is also this creativity and imagination in what we see that is extraordinary, most inside the house in Vienna or with the spawn of an Elder God's fluids. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a supremely solid eye for storytelling. Backgrounds being utilised like they are enhance the moments and bring a nice size and scope to the book. The colour work is wonderful and I really like how we see the colours utilised to create shading and shadows is so well done.

     The characterisation we see and how it is utilised to bring characters to life and changing how we see them is delightful. I like that Tesla doesn't believe others when they say they are in danger from threats and yet he's built a dreaming machine to see his memories making him selfish and a complete hypocrite and yet he's still entirely lovable which is weird but a testament to how well this is being written.
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     This is like taking a PBS cartoon and amping it up a few volumes such as Maya and Miguel or The Wild Kratts mixed with the feel of a haunted history story. This is the apex of having great adventures while learning and something any supper table would be honoured to have a discussion at.

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Omni #2

9/29/2019

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Omni #2
Humanoids 2019
Written by Devin Grayson
Illustrated by Alitha E. Martinez, Meredith Laxton & Chris Eliopoulos
Coloured by Bryan Valenza
Lettered by A Larger World Studios


     A young doctor suddenly and mysteriously acquires superpowers... as do several other individuals on the planet. But only her power can answer why.. A gifted doctor with a vibrant, compassionate personality, Cecelia Cobbina received boundless praise from her peers and her patients. But that was before the incident in Africa. Before she was forced to leave her job at Doctors Without Borders behind... Before she gained the ability to think at superhuman speed. Overwhelmed with the power to answer every question, she must now overcome her own fears and tackle the one code she can't seem to break: the truth behind the Ignited.

     I have missed Devin and the way she writes her stories so I am glad that she is here getting to really unleash her creativity with this series. The whole idea behind Cecelia and how she sees the world and how Devin manages to convey that to us is something I personally have been looking forward to seemingly since forever. That she makes both complicated and accessible to the reader is something to be applauded. I feel as if the intelligence behind what we see is done in ways that make sense to the story and go a long ways into keeping the story moving forward while constantly keeping the interest and intrigue factor incredibly high.

     The story & plot development that we see here as the information it reveals has a very natural flow to it. We get bits and pieces here so that while we get a few answers they mostly lead to new questions and the cycle is something that keeps the reader coming back for more. The character development here is sensational and it continues to grow and evolve not only with each new person that Cecelia meets but anyone she interacts with them. Add in the pacing and we see just how amazing a character Cecelia is because it almost feels as if she's dictating the pace of the story. Though with everything together we see the revelations along with the twists and turns coming at us in some of the best and most unexpected of ways that just keep piling up the questions.

     The interior artwork here is something to see. While the opening by Chris is a great thing to see the way that Alitha and Meredith work the interiors so that they make seem like one person did them and yet find a way to keep them in their style as well. It is quite the feat actually and the linework is sensational and works in ways that really bring the attention to detail to life. The way backgrounds are utilised not only enhance the moments but bring a great size and scope to the book. There's also some nice depth perception and scale as well. The colour work is nice to see and how the lights of the police car are done and the strobe effect it brings. The greens of the grass or blues in the sky have some absolutely lovely utilisation of the various hues and tones to within them.
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     There is a fantastic story happening here and while I' would love see Cecelia travel with more than just Mae the two have a wondrous working arrangement with each other. The dynamic as it stands is utterly marvellous and why mess with what works right? Still what Devin is doing here is almost like a living and breathing thing that is taking on a life of it's own. This is why humanoids is one of the new companies that is striving to make an impact on the industry and is making one hell of a statement while doing it. I love seeing them building this new universe from the ground up it has this excitement and freshness to it that excites the hell out of me.  ​

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Psycho List #2

9/29/2019

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Psycho List #2
BlackBox Comics 2019
Written by Kevin Grevioux
Illustrated by Jonathan Lau
Coloured by Adriano Augusto
Lettered by Dezi Sienty


     Against his better judgement, Donovan gets further into the FBI case, but will he be able to help?

     So there are a number of reasons to really like this book. Kevin is an amazing storyteller and he has this smart, intelligent way of approaching the stories he writes. So the layers that we see here is sensational and how many there are of them how any one of them can lead to diverting arc of it's own. Also we are treated to this weird family dynamic which is only emphasised as a father figure can. Add into this the way we see the story & plot development reveal information and show a few revelations and we begin to see the bits and pieces of what is going to make this as eerie as it needs to be.

     The character development here is fantastic and it's really because Kevin understands that communication and dynamic is what truly gets that across. So the dialogue is superb and it doesn't who is speaking what we get from it is this nice understanding of their base personality. That starting point we need that has those gaps in it and allow that room for growth and evolution as the story moves forward. When you add the pacing to the book it not only gives this great ebb & flow from everything but it also highlights the twists and turns that story takes and are thrown at the characters. So overall everything we see is so well thought out that it makes the reader really want to see and know more.

     How is it that no one in this book mentions who his name is? His partner Agent Ledeux or their boss no one mentions him by name and I find that fascinating and frustrating as all get out. I will say I like how we see the whole Psycho List as the series title come into play here though. All in all how we see the folks we are introduced to here is really rather well done. They fit into that specific moment of the story and have this very natural feel to it. When you read this you feel the angst and conflict within the characters and how the nature of the story is going to push those to the breaking point and beyond.

     I love Jonathan's work I think man is amazing at what he does. The way that he is able to utilise the varying weights within the linework while showing a strong and steady hand when he's bringing out his amazing attention to detail. The composition within the panels is mindbogglingly good and how he manages to create the angles, depth perception, scope and perspective in the panels shows why he has such a stupendous eye for storytelling. The desktop scene was one of those intense moments that seems to sum up his work in one shot. When you add Adriano's colour work to the mix he is able to take the linework to the next level. To be able to take a white button down dress shirt and be able to utilise the various hues and tones to create shading and shadows that's just another incredible wow moment. We have to add Dezi into this as well you'll notice why and how what he does to enhance this in his own ways.

     With the interiors adding an extra level of characterisation that the words cannot do, while also working in the moment with the writing just keeps showing how professional and astounding the book is at only issue #2. There is a smouldering intensity lying just beneath the surface here and it's waiting for the right time to burst through. With a lot of different factors at play here Kevin manages to engage the reader taking them off-script and become incredibly invested in the book. This is how a new line should be launching books, slowly and with good, hard, solid work that leaves such an impression upon the reader.  ​

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Mall #2

9/28/2019

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Mall #2
Vault Comics 2019
Written by Michael Moreci & Gary Dauberman
Illustrated by Zak Hartong
Coloured by Addison Duke
Lettered by Jim Campbell


     Andre and his mysterious companion dig deeper into Andre’s frame-up—and deeper into the Mall’s nefarious history. Meanwhile, on the surface, factions collide. All-out war is on the horizon. But maybe that’s what someone is hoping for?

     I am still wondering where these folks are getting their food from. I dunno why I am stuck on this point but for this many people to still be alive and these various groups there's got to be some farming done somewhere. Also when are we going to see a map of the mall? It feels like this place is huge considering how many factions there are. The guys have a great solid premise there is no denying that. It is just the practical side of my brain wants some answers to some simple seeming innocent questions.

     My personal cravings aside, the way that this is being is pretty marvellous. The opening this issue introduces us to Andre's Pop and it's rather something to see. It certainly took me by surprise and I have to say that bringing us something we never expect to see is and constantly keeping the reader on their toes is what keeps us coming back time and time again. At least here in this place they take time to actually dress in normal clothing it's really nice to see. Speaking of Andre, his travelling companion still remaining a mystery is one aspect that I don't think should change.

     The way we see the story & plot development and how the information and revelations are brought to the readers attention is so well done. With the character development and the dialogue fleshing the characters out like it does we really do start getting a better sense of who they are. When the pacing picks this all up and moves the story forward and reveals all the twists and turns including the introduction to new characters is incredibly well done. The ebb & flow that is created by all this really takes the reader on quite the journey. I like it and the feeling of being both closed in and claustrophobic as well as feeling as if there is all the room in the world if you know where to go makes for and interesting dichotomy.

     The interior artwork here has this really great style to it as the linework and colour work together in such a way that find this way to really accentuate the story. We have to include the lettering at this point as well since I feel it's a big part of this with all the noises we see being made so that the tension of the unknown that they run from or end up fighting is heightened. The creativity and imagination that we see here is friggin amazing and I especially like the new underground humans that we see emerge this issue as well. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show off a stellar eye for storytelling. While I would like to see more backgrounds being utilised we get what we get. The colour work is nice though a bit more solid and packed in than I expected but again it all works, it's just me that wished we see the red lights and the tones and hues that could've been.
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     All my wishes aside the way this is being told is really well done. It has this creepy vibe to it and while the clans are being pitted against other, manipulated but by whom?, and Andre is running through parts unknown of the Mall things keep getting more and more dangerous and interesting. I'm dying to see what's next and who and how this whole thing is going to continue to play out. Vault continues to put out some of today's most unexpectedly interesting books.
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Bad Reception #2

9/28/2019

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Picture
Bad Reception #2
Aftershock Comics 2019
By Juan Doe


     The toast has been made and the cake has been cut.
     The most intimate wedding reception of the century has started, and all the guests are suffering a bad case of nomophobia (a.k.a. "no-mobile-phone phobia"). But things get real in a hurry when the mysterious killer sets off a frenzy that drives the re-maining guests into a world of unknown primal fear. Now they must learn to de-pend on each other if they are to survive the hunt.

     This is extremely now in terms of how Juan has set this premise up. Well aside from the whole killer angle that's pure horror film stuff, which this would make a nice one. In a world where people are glued to their phones and more concerned with the amount of likes they have then in the actual people they know an off-the-grid wedding is the ultimate in device free dinner. Last issue set up the whole thing and this issue is where we see thing start and take effect, that they've had their phones taken from them. This is impressing me a lot more than I was expecting it to.

     I like the way that this is being told. The way that we see the story & plot development and the character development work together, separately and weaving through each other is extremely well done. The way that information is revealed and how we see the revelations cross our paths not only add to the lightness of a party but the way the guests interact with one another and the foreboding of things to come. Just the way that I am seeing this being told shows a maturity in the writing that you may or may not be expecting to see. There is a lot going on and it has that slice of real life about as the wedding takes place and the guests who do not know each other have no other choice to talk with each other.

     I don't want to see the killer not anytime soon. I want him, his reasons and all that jazz to remain unknown for now it adds to the whole atmosphere of the book. It also ups that creepy factor to levels we never expect to see and it engages the reader by taking them off-script and into their own minds and that just keeps people coming back to see if they were right which is ultimately what you really to have happen.

     The interiors here are really not the style I gravitate towards. Okay so pages 2 & 3 were pretty damn I will say that and the way we see the house on the bottom is sensational! I have idea what that thing on his head is, it looks like it's sprouting broccoli. I do like the utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels as they show a really nice eye for storytelling. That we see backgrounds utilised like they are enhance the moments and bring a beautiful sense of size and scope to the book. The colour work matches the linework nicely and how we see the light sources is well done in casting highlights and shading.
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     There is just something about this that captivates you as a reader and it draws you into the story and engages your mind while sneaking you into being invested. I find myself continually looking at the pages and reading and re-reading this from the first of the guests to find themselves separated from the pack to that roasted for dinner and the joints being passed around. There isn't anything about this that doesn't fascinate the reader and that's an accomplishment in and of itself.   ​

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