#IReadsYou Review: RUMPUS ROOM #1

RUMPUS ROOM #1 (OF 5)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: Mark Russell

ART: Ramon Rosanas

COLORS: Ive Svorcina

LETTERS: Andworld Design

COVER: Tony Harris

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike and Laura Allred; Mark Russell; Tony Harris

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2023)

Rated: “Mature”

Rumpus Room is a new five-issue miniseries from AWA Studios.  It is written by Mark Russell; drawn by Ramon Rosanas; colored by Ive Svorcina; and lettered by Andworld Design.  The series pits a group of prisoners against their jailer, a billionaire who needs their organs and fluids.

Rumpus Room #1 introduces Bob Schrunk.  He is a tech billionaire, collector of bad art, and sufferer of a terrible skin condition.  That condition can only be treated by a special face cream that comes from deep in the bowels of his Rumpus Room.  Enter Erica Hernandez.  She is looking for her missing sister, Olivia, who apparently worked for Schrunk's company – not that he'd care.  Erica is about to discover the awful truth.

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios' marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  Rumpus Room #1 is the latest.

I was a huge fan of writer Mark Russell's 2015 reboot of DC Comics' decades old weird comic book series, Prez (1973-74).  Luckily, Rumpus Room is in the vein of the cleverly satirical Prez, only darker, as well as being uncomfortably plausible.  It has an accent that recalls the meanness of Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971), but elements of Rumpus Room seem more Clive Barker than Anthony Burgess.

I love the work of the late English comic book artist, Steve Dillon (1962-2016).  In Rumpus Room, artist Ramon Rosanas captures the concise layouts and simplicity of composition that Dillon used to create conflict, tension, and intensity with substance rather than with sound and fury.  I find Rosanas' storytelling mesmerizing, so much so that by the end of this series, Rosanas may have me back on that crack pipe.

Recently, I found another celebrity comics creator whining about the horrid state of the American comics industry.  Maybe, if more readers stopped dry-humping the dead horse that is the Marvel/DC Comics slab of the market and focused on what a publisher like AWA Studios is doing, they'd be happy comic book readers.  So, dear readers, let's enjoy the good stuff, like Rumpus Room #1.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Russell's unique brand of comic books will want Rumpus Room.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #136

WORLD OF ARCHIE (JUMBO COMICS) DOUBLE DIGEST #136

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ian Flynn; Daniel Kibblesmith; with Mike Pellowski; Bill Golliher; Frank Doyle; and various

PENCILS: Holly G!; Steven Butler; with Stan Goldberg; Bill Golliher; Dan DeCarlo, Jr.; and various

INKS: Jim Amash; Lily Butler; with Bob Smith; Rudy Lapick; James DeCarlo; and various

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; with Barry Grossman and various

LETTERS: Jack Morelli; with Bill Yoshida

COVER: Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña

192pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. (March 2024); on-sale January 10, 2024

Rating: All-Ages

“One Shot Worth a Million,” “The Perfect Specimen”

World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Debuting in late 2010, World of Archie Double Digest is a mini-trade paperback-like series that features stories reprinted from across the publishing history of Archie Comics.  Sometimes, however, these digests offer original stories.

World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #132 reintroduces three characters from the “Golden Age” of Archie Comics (when it was known as M.L.J. Magazines, Inc.).  These characters return in two new stories.

The first new story is “One Shot Worth a Million.”  It is written by Ian Flynn; drawn by Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.  It introduces modern versions of two characters.

The first is “Fran Frazer,” who first appeared in MLJ'S Top Notch Comics #9 (cover dated: October 1940).  She was one of those female “roving-reporters” characters, and she roamed the world as a photo journalist.  She had a miniature camera, which she disguised as various fashion accessories, and Fran used it to collect evidence against the wicked and the corrupt.  Fran was usually accompanied by the second reintroduced character, Hal Davis.  The modernized Fran Frazer is a freelance photographer and journalist for “Strife Media.”  The modernized Hal Davis is her romantic rival and is also now an African-American character.

Fran Frazer in “One Shot Worth a Million”:

Why is Archie Andrews skulking around the docks in the dead of night?  Veronica Lodge wants to know.  Well, Archie is assisting freelance photographer and journalist, Fran Frazer, in her investigation of criminal syndicate activity at the docks.  And it involves Lodge Industry, which Veronica's father, Hiram Lodge, owns.

By the way, why is Veronica skulking around the docks?  Well, she is assisting Hal Davis, Fran's (romantic) rival.  Can Archie and Veronica stop bickering in time to help Fran and Hal unmask corruption at the docks?

The second new story is “The Perfect Specimen.”  It is written by Daniel Kibblesmith; drawn by Steven Butler (pencils) and Lily Butler (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

The story reintroduces “Young Dr. Masters,” a physician who engages in dangerous adventures and misadventures to help patients.  The character had his own comic book, The Adventures of Young Dr. Masters, which ran for two issues (cover dated: August and November 1964).  The series was apparently an adaptation of the 1962 novel, Young Doctor Masters (Belmont Books), written by Frank Haskell.  That Frank Haskell is not to be confused with Frank A. Haskell (1828-1864), the author and Union Army officer who served during the American Civil War.  The modernized Dr. Masters is a television doctor and author.

Young Dr. Masters in “The Perfect Specimen”:

During his television show, Dr. Masters announces that he is about to embark on a six-city book tour for his upcoming book, “The Perfect Specimen! Health, Beauty, and You!”  The tour will kick off in Riverdale, where Masters hopes to find the one “local teen” who “truly embodies the spirit of health and beauty.”  That person would be the “perfect specimen” to appear on the book cover and to accompany Dr. Masters on his book tour.

Betty and Veronica each believes that she is the “perfect specimen.”  Thus, begins their latest battle of the beauties, but can these two friends and rivals survive a health and beauty war of attrition?

THE LOWDOWN:  For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #132 is the latest.

“One Shot Worth a Million” and the “The Perfect Specimen” exemplify how Archie Comics has perfected the six-page humor story over the last several years.  Archie Comics has always been good at humor short stories and stand-alone tales, as they've been doing it for decades.  However, these new, tight, six-page tales that pepper Archie digests and single-issue anniversary specials are concise in their delivery of a beginning, middle, and end with a substantial plot.  But there is a problem...

Often, I come across six-page stories that would be better served by being at least twice their length.  That is the case with both these stories, but especially with “One Shot Worth a Million.”  Writer Ian Flynn mixes espionage, teen humor, and comic romance with flair in this story, a hybrid with potential that demands to expanded into a longer story.  The art team of Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks) certainly have the storytelling chops to keep the humor and comic action humming along for longer than six pages.  Alas, it was not to be.

The rest of World of Archie Double Digest #132 is a mixture of winter-themed tales and high school hijinks, which Archie fans will always welcome.  I should warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want World of Archie Double Digest.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://archiecomics.com/

https://twitter.com/archiecomics

https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: KONI WAVES

KONI WAVES

HAUNTED PIZZA LLC/ARCANA STUDIOS

STORY: Mark Poulton

SCRIPT: Mandy Summers

ART: Renzo Rodriguez

COLORS: Dexter Weeks

LETTERS: Dexter Weeks

COVER: Renzo Rodriguez with Ink Spots

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Irene Strychalski; Chris Graves

ISBN: 979-8-987-45314-8; paperback (November 2023)

56pp, Color, $25.00 U.S.

Koni Waves created by Mark Poulton, Stephen Sistilli, and Dexter Weeks

Koni Waves is an independent supernatural horror comic book that was published as a series of miniseries and one-shots from 2006 to 2010 by Arcana Studio.  Created by Mark Poulton, Stephen Sistilli, and Dexter Weeks, Koni Waves focused on Koni Kanawai, a female detective in Honolulu, Hawaii, who specialized in supernatural cases.

Koni Kanawai returns in a new original graphic novel, entitled Koni Waves, that was crowdfunded on Indiegogo last year and was published late last year (2023). The new graphic novel is written by Mark Poulton (story) and Mandy Summers (script); drawn by Renzo Rodriguez; and colored and lettered by Dexter Weeks.  In this new story, Koni becomes involved in a complicated murder case that involves supernatural scheme and conspiracy.

Koni Waves opens with Koni Kanawai rescuing her pal, Pete, from the vampires(!) of Black Bear Cove, but that adventure is easy compared to what is coming.  Koni's father, James Kanawai, a detective with the HPD, wants Koni to try to get back on the force.  Koni, who was suspended apparently after running afoul of Internal Affairs, is willing to give that a try.

Later, at her favorite watering hole, Koni learns that District Attorney Choi believes that he has convicted the wrong man, Danny Snyder, of the murder of Felicity Andrews, an exotic dancer and former associate of Koni's.  Taking on the case, Koni contacts Krystal, another dancer and former associate of Felicity's.  After snooping around, Koni comes to believe that a local power broker, Prince Hopohopo, is connected to the Felicity Andrews case.  However, Koni will discover that this case involves Hawaii's darkest secrets and its edgiest supernatural and spiritual past.

THE LOWDOWN:  A few years ago, I came across the Twitter feed of a Mexican comic book artist named Renzo Rodriguez.  From the first of examples of his art I saw, I thought he was very talented, but because I had never heard of him previously, I assumed Renzo was a new talent.  I would later learn that Renzo was a veteran talent who had been drawing professionally for a long time, including for Zenescope Entertainment.

Last year, I learned that Renzo would be the artist for a crowdfunded project, entitled Koni Waves, so I quickly contributed.  I did not know that Koni Waves was a comics property with a history, so I did not know what to expect.  Now, having read and received this original graphic novel, I am glad that I contributed to the campaign.

Renzo is obviously influenced by legendary comic book artist Art Adams.  Some artists who were influenced by Adams (such as J. Scott Campbell and Rob Liefeld) picked up on Adams' stylish flourishes.  However, what Renzo seems to have taken from Adams is the ability to compose complex, multi-panel pages that allows a story to be told in detail without going into overdrive with decompression.  Most of Renzo's pages have at least seven panels of varying size, and Renzo composes detailed backgrounds and environments in a way that compares to the work of set decorators for film and television.  Renzo makes the world of Koni Waves feel lived-in, like a real place.

All those panels on each page allows scripter Mandy Summers to flesh out Mark Poulton's character-rich story in a way that conveys motivation and personality, plot and mythology, and action and drama.  Summers makes Koni Waves read like an actual graphic novel in a way that so-called graphic novels (trade paperbacks) three times its size do not.

Dexter Weeks' precise, rich colors capture the curves, shapes, and contours of Renzo's figure drawing.  Those colors make every character seem alive and, in the case of some, seem quite sexy, and they also make the art pop on the page.  In addition, Weeks' lettering finds plenty of space for Summers' dialogue, so that nothing is crowded out.

I like Koni Waves, and I'd like to see more of Koni and her closest allies and most dangerous adversaries.  This comic book scratches the surface of Koni Waves' supernatural skin, but the freaks want to come out.  So I say let them out with more Koni Waves.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of supernatural and occult detective comics will want Koni Waves.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.hauntedpizzallc.com/

https://twitter.com/hauntedpizzallc

https://twitter.com/KoniWaves

https://twitter.com/renzo_rocomic

https://twitter.com/WartTheWizard

https://www.instagram.com/hauntedpizzallc/

https://www.youtube.com/c/PrimetimePoulton

The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: Disney's GARGOYLES #1

DISNEY'S GARGOYLES #1

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Greg Weisman

ARTIST: George Kambadais

COLORS: George Kambadais

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Nate Cosby

COVER: David Nakayama

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2022)

Rated “Teen”

“Here in Manhattan” – Chapter One: “A Little Crazy”

“Gargoyles” was an animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation that ran for a total of 78 episodes over three seasons, from October 24, 1994, to February 15, 1997.  The series focused on “gargoyles,” a species of nocturnal creatures that had spent a thousand years in an enchanted petrified state.  Reawakened in modern New York City, they are stone by day, but when day falls, they are warriors, the city's night-time protectors.

“Gargoyles” has been adapted into comic books by both Marvel Comics (1995) and Slave Labor Graphics (2006-09).  Dynamite Entertainment is the new license holder and begins its publication with Gargoyles Volume 1.  The series is written by “Gargoyles” creator Greg Weisman; drawn and colored by George Kambadais; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  The series will act as a “Season 4” of the original television series, following Weisman's preferred story line.

Gargoyles Volume 1, #1 (“A Little Crazy”) opens at night in Manhattan.  Elisa Maza, an NYPD detective from the twenty-third precinct, is in on the action as the Gargoyles do what they always do – at night.  However, a gang war is brewing, and it may be worse than the previous one.  Meanwhile, deep underground in the “Labyrinth,” something momentous is about to happen.

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Gargoyles #1, the first Gargoyles comic book that I have read.

Although I was aware of the “Gargoyles” animated series, I never got around to watching it, but I do remember that it had a substantial fandom.  I was aware of Slave Labor Graphics' comic book series, but unaware of Marvel's series – neither of which I read.

I am aware of Greg Weisman's work in animation.  I have really enjoyed some of the comic books that he has written.  He wrote the majority of comic book series that adapted the first “Young Justice” (2010-13) animated series.  I also really enjoyed his Star Wars comic book, Star Wars: Kanan (2010) for Marvel Comics, which focused on one of the main characters from the Disney animated series, “Star Wars Rebels (2010-2014).

I like Weisman's set-up for this first issue of Gargoyles.  Weisman uses this first issue to acquaint readers with the franchise's characters, although many people reading this first issue are already in the know.  He ends this first issue with a last act filled with intriguing sub-plots.

I also immensely enjoyed artist George Kambadais' art on Dynamite's recent John Carter of Mars miniseries.  The dynamic illustrations and shimmering colors he brought to John Carter, Kambadais transports to Gargoyles.  Gargoyles #1 looks good, and the lettering by Jeff Eckleberry makes the story pop and gives the dialogue some edginess.

I think the second issue of Gargoyles is where the story will really kick into gear, but Gargoyles #1 is a good start.  Hopefully, this series, which will act as a Season Four (I think) of the original animated TV series, will please fans, new and old.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the Gargoyles franchise will want to try Dynamite's new Gargoyles comic book series.

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: THE MAGIC ORDER 4 #1

THE MAGIC ORDER 4 #1 (OF 6)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Dike Ruan

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Dike Ruan with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Rafael Albuquerque

36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2023)

Rated M / Mature

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix

The Magic Order was a six-issue comic book miniseries written by Mark Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel.  Published in 2018-19, the series focuses on The Magic Order, a band of sorcerers, magicians, and wizards – with a focus on the Moonstone family.  They live ordinary lives by day, but protect humanity from darkness and monsters of impossible sizes by night.  Two more six-issue miniseries, The Magic Order 2 (2021-22) and The Magic Order 3 (2022), were recently published.

The Magic Order 4 finds the Order in turmoil.  A six-issue miniseries, this fourth installment is written by Millar; drawn by Dike Ruan; colored by Giovanna Niro; and lettered by Clem Robins.

The Magic Order 4 #1 opens immediately following the revelations of The Magic Order 3's finale.  The Magic Order is in turmoil because Cordelia Moonstone was forced to expel her brother, Regan, and strip him of his powers because of his crimes.  Now, whispers of discontent persist among the other wizards, and a coup is brewing

Some are tired of the rules under which they have all been living.  They want to enjoy having magical powers – really enjoy those powers.  An old enemy has returned in a shocking new guise, and she may be able to help the discontented become contented.

THE LOWDOWN:  My favorite Mark Millar Netflix creation is The Magic Order.  It always surprises me, and before I read each issue I wonder not if, but how I will be surprised.  Every time I think I might creep away and choose a new Millarworld favorite to love, The Magic Order drags me back.

Dike Ruan, the artist for The Magic Order, has a drawing style that is similar to The Magic Order's earlier artists, Olivier Coipel and Stuart Immonen.  This fourth series is dark and filled with explicit violence and brutal murders, as was the first two series, so it is appropriate that Ruan is the artist here.  The Magic Order 4 is different in tone from The Magic Order 3, which hopped around dimensions, realities, and time zones, which the third series' artist, Gigi Cavenago, captured with an kinetic style that crackled around the shifts in space-time-magic.

I am determined to spoil as little as possible, but I can say that Millar goes for the readers' nuts and the jugulars in this first issue.  As great as Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is, its sequels, which have their good points, lack the intensity of the original.  The Magic Order sequels are different because Millar never lets up.  He allows each installment to stand on its own as a shocking, but substantial narrative.  Each sequel of The Magic Order is complete as a plot, even as it receives elements from previous installments and also sends out elements to what follows it.

So, here we are with the start of The Magic Order 4.  It seems to say that power corrupts and the absolute power of reality-altering magic will absolutely corrupt everyone that it touches.  Millar and Dike Ruan are a determined pair; they want us to feel the pain this time.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order 4.

A+

10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

www.imagecomics.com

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: THE MADNESS #1

THE MADNESS #1 (OF 6)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: J. Michael Straczynski

PENCILS: ACO

INKS: David Lorenzo

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

COVER: ACO

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Brandon Peterson with Marcelo Maiolo; Dalibor Talajic

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2023)

Rated: “Mature”

The Madness is a new six-issue miniseries from AWA Studios.  It is written by J. Michael Straczynski; drawn by ACO (pencils) and David Lorenzo (inks); colored by Marcelo Maiolo; and lettered by Sal Cipriano.  The series follows a woman who uses her super-powers as a thief and her quest for revenge against a group of superheroes.

The Madness #1 introduces Sarah Ross a.k.a. “The Raven.”  She has super-powers:  flight, super speed, super strength, and invulnerability, but she can only use one at a time.  Sarah has been using her powers as a thief, stealing from the rich and giving it to herself.  She plans one more big score – the proverbial big score from which one can retire to a life of luxury for good.

However, Sarah's score means she has to steal from the wrong person.  And this man is the “wrong person” because Sarah's true mark is a highly-placed and powerful official.  Now, Sarah is a target, and the brutal consequences may drive her to utter madness.

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  The Madness #1 is the latest.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski is best known for his Hollywood work.  He has written for the screen for such films as Ninja Assassin (2009), Thor (2011), and World War Z (2013).  His best known television work is the TV series, “Babylon 5” (1993-98), which he created.  He also wrote for such TV series as CBS' mid-1980s' revival of “The Twilight Zone” and for “Murder, She Wrote,” to name two.

ACO is the pen name of Spanish comic book artist, Alex Cal Oliveira.  He has drawn Iron Man and Uncanny X-Men for Marvel Comics, to name a few, and he had a long stint on Wonder Woman for DC Comics.  I really liked ACO's inspired work on Marvel's 2017 Nick Fury comic book series.

Straczynski and ACO come together for The Madness, and I can call the first issue a shockingly good debut issue.  It is filled with a sense of mystery, a murderous conspiracy, shadowy government cabals, secretive and conniving superheroes, and the anticipation of death and destruction.  Straczynski lures in the readers and then, holds them hostage with high tension, from beginning to end.  ACO catches the script at its electric edges, creating the right angles with a captivating sense of graphic design.  ACO certainly creates the sense that something big is going to happen every page.

For what it presents, The Madness #1 is one of the few debut issues that reminds me of certain elements of Eclipse Comics' Miracleman #1 (cover dated: August 1985) and DC Comics' Watchmen #1 (cover dated: September 1986).  For me, those particular comic books seemed new and groundbreaking and also utterly familiar at the same time.  Am I comparing Straczynski and ACO to Alan Moore and Gary Leach and Alan David?  To Moore and Dave Gibbons?  Well, am I? 

I'm on Twitter a lot, and I always come across fans, commentators, creators, etc. complaining that DC Comics and (especially) Marvel are not producing great comic books.  Comic book publishers not named Marvel or DC, such as AWA Studios, are producing exceptional and entertaining comic books.  If you pass up The Madness #1, you really don't want to read great comic books.  

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans looking for excellence in superhero comic books will want to try The Madness.

A+

10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

THE MADNESS PAGE: https://awastudios.net/series/the-madness/

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: RED ZONE #4

RED ZONE #4 (OF 4)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: Cullen Bunn

ART: Mike Deodato, Jr.

COLORS: Lee Loughridge

LETTERS: Steve Wands

COVER: Rahzzah

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Michael Cho

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2023)

Rated: “Teen+”

Red Zone is a four-issue comic book miniseries from writer Cullen Bunn and artist Mike Deodato, Jr.  Published by AWA Studios, the series focuses on an American professor who must fight his way out of Russia where he lived a former life full of long-buried secrets.  Colorist Lee Loughridge and letterer Steve Wands complete the series creative team.

Red Zone introduces Randall Crane, an unassuming professor of Russian and Slavic Studies at NYU.  By request, he becomes part of U. S. Army Special Forces secret extraction mission into Russia.  The target is Elena Sidorov, once a very close friend of the professor's.  What she knows makes her a high priority asset to the U.S.  When the mission goes wrong, however, Randall is alone and forced to summon the secrets of his past to save himself and Elena daughter, Nika.

As Red Zone #4 opens, Randall and Nika have sought shelter in the home of Novel Abramov, an old acquaintance of Randall's.  He lives on the outskirts of an abandoned city turned ghost town, which is the perfect place for a showdown.  Andreiko Volkov, the man who wants Crane dead, has called in the cowboy-cosplay killer, Maxim.  But hey, why not have just about everyone after Randall show up for a throw-down in a ghost town?

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  One of them is Red Zone #4, the fourth issue of the series that I've read.

Writer Cullen Bunn created an edge-of-your-seat thriller in Red Zone – right to the end.  It offers both a satisfying conclusion and a kick-ass last stand.  Bunn creates more exhilarating set pieces in each single issue than most comic books can offer in four issues.  He has given us enough insight into Randall Crane, enough to make him become someone who really intrigues readers.  Who is he?  What did he do in the past?  And what is the thing that his past has become in the present day?

In Red Zone, artist Mike Deodato, Jr. has created a page design and graphic design that presents a tapestry of thrills.  Deodato's art suggests that Crane and Nika are trapped at every turn – and they practically are.  Around each page, on the borders and edges, however, are slivers of panels that anticipate the coming drama and action.  That makes the art seem active rather than static.  Deodato throws his tapestry of static and kinetic energy at us to the end of this narrative.  If there is follow-up series, there will hopefully be more Deodato.

Red Zone #4 finishes this series with a bang, as it should.  Here, the villains do the damn thing.  They should come back, also, but, for now, their fates will make Red Zone's trade paperback collection a damn good read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of action and espionage in comic books will want to read Red Zone.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: ELVIRA Meets Vincent Price #2

ELVIRA MEETS VINCENT PRICE #2
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone
ART: Juan Samu
COLORS: Walter Pereya
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito with Elizabeth Sharland
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Dave Acosta
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dave Acosta; Juan Samu; Anthony Marques and J. Bone
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2021)

Rated Teen+

Chapter Two: “Ankhs for the Mammaries”

In 1981, actress and model Cassandra Peterson created the “horror hostess character,” known as “Elvira.”  Elvira gradually grew in popularity and eventually became a brand name.  As Elvira, Peterson endorsed many products and became a pitch-woman, appearing in numerous television commercials throughout the 1980s.

Elvira also appeared in comic books, beginning in 1986 with the short-lived series from DC Comics, Elvira's House of Mystery, which ran for eleven issues and one special issue (1987).  Eclipse Comics and Claypool Comics began the long-running Elvira: Mistress of the Dark from 1993 to 2007.  In 2018, Elvira returned to comic books via Dynamite Entertainment in the four-issue comic book miniseries, Elvira Mistress of the Dark, that actually ran for 12 issues.

Vincent Price (1911–1993) was an American actor and a legendary movie star.  Price was and still is best known for his performances in horror films, although his career spanned other genres.  Price appeared in more than 100 films, but he also performed on television, the stage, and on radio.  Thus, he has two stars on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame,” one for motion pictures and one for television.

Elvira and Vincent Price team up for the first time in the comic book miniseries, Elvira Meets Vincent Price.  The series is written by David Avallone; drawn by Juan Samu; colored by Walter Pereyra; and lettered by Taylor Esposito with Elizabeth Sharland.  The series finds Elvira and Price searching for a long-lost cult movie in order to save the world from the wrath of an awakened Egyptian god.

As Elvira Meets Vincent Price #2 opens, Vincent uses his ghostly wiles to save Elvira from a violent servant of Amun-Ra.  That's right.  That is just a taste of the Armageddon to come if Elvira and Vincent don't find the only surviving copy of the lost cult film, “Rise of the Ram.”  Price starred in the doomed, never-seen film, and now, it is time to start finding the rest of his collaborators on the film, who may know something about the whereabouts of Rise of the Ram.

So our heroic duo flies to England to find Richard “Rick” Rogue, the director of “Rise of the Ram,” and his wife, Claudia Antonelli, the Italian starlet who was Vincent's costar in the film.  But Rick and Claudia have their own problems, and Elvira is about to be the unwilling solution.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been a fan of writer David Avallone's Elvira comic books for a few years now.  Elvira Meets Vincent Price reminds me, if I need a reminder (which I don't), why I love these comic books so much.

After a cool first issue, Avallone delivers a script for the second issue that is so witty and sparkling that I wish I had a 100 pages more of it.  It's like “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” blended with the team of Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard in The Ghost Breakers (1940).

Talented Spanish artist, Juan Samu, who has drawn Marvel Action Black Panther and Transformers comics for IDW Publishing, creates storytelling that practically bleeds charm and coolness.  Samu may be creating the first graphical presentation of supernatural comedy and screwball antics every presented in comic book form.

Walter Pereya's colors capture the sparkle and ghostly chemistry in Avallone's script, while the lettering by Taylor Esposito and Elizabeth Sharland conveys the breezy pace of the story.  I'm having a blast reading Elvira Meets Vincent Price.  It is almost too good to be true how well this crossover works.  And yes, I already want a sequel.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Elvira and of Vincent Price and of David Avallone's Elvira comic books will want to read Elvira Meets Vincent Price.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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#IReadsYou Review: NEMESIS RELOADED #5

NEMESIS RELOADED #5 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Jorge Jiménez

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Jorge Jiménez with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Javier Fernandez with Belén Ortega; Jorge Jiménez

36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2023)

Rated M / Mature

Nemesis created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

Nemesis Reloaded is a five-issue comic book series from writer Mark Millar.  It is a soft reboot of Nemesis, Millar's 2010-11 four-issue comic book miniseries that he created with artist Steve McNiven.  Nemesis: Reloaded is drawn by Jorge Jiménez; colored by Giovanna Niro; and lettered by Clem Robins.

In the new series, Nemesis has plans for Los Angeles and its ruling class.  By the time he is done, the city won't be the same, nor will its top politicians.  And maybe the secrets of Nemesis will be revealed.

Nemesis Reloaded #5 opens in Eastern Europe, at “the Castle of Reflection.”  It is there, Matthew Anderson a.k.a. Nemesis must win the game of death that will lead him to discovering all the big-ass secrets.  But before we get into that big game...

Mayor-elect Joe Costello must come face to face with his connection to Nemesis' past.  There is payback galore, and the wealthy and the power-elite won't get their way.  Is this the grand finale or just the beginning?

THE LOWDOWN:  In my earlier reviews of Nemesis Reloaded, I talked about how those issues fit into the tradition of the groundbreaking and daring comic books of the 1980s, especially of the early to mid-1980s.

The final issue retains the series' connection to a gleefully and enjoyably insane time.  Still, I have to be careful with Nemesis Reloaded #5.  In a way, it is like the recent Killadelaphia #30, which ended things so that it could begin even bigger, more surprising and lunatic things.

Here, writer Mark Millar and artist Jorge Jiménez add their craziness to something like the bigness of Millar and Matteo Scalera's King of Spies.  They don't minimize the craziness of Nemesis Reloaded, the kind that recalls Frank Miller's Daredevil and Ronin, but they welcome the massive storytelling that is similar to Millar's work at Marvel, such as The Ultimates and Civil War.

Recently, dear readers, my car was stolen (still not recovered) and the thieves ransacked my home for my book and comic book collection.  With the arrival of the final issue, I needed Nemesis: Reloaded to stroke my hard-on for vengeance.  Oh, it was so good, and I'm so crazy about the title character.  I wanna blow Nemesis; I'm not sure I've ever felt that way about a comic book character, but it is Mark Millar and artist Jorge Jiménez's fault, of course.

They have created a comic book that pops off the page, and the story pelvic thrusts its way into readers' imaginations … again and again.  I have to believe that they wanted it this way; they wanted such reactions as mine.  If that is not the case, they certainly could have rebooted Green Lantern for the umpteenth time instead of creating this glory hole of violence and retribution.  If you have been waiting for comic books to be crazy and fun again, recharge your imagination with Nemesis Reloaded.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of comic books that make readers beg for more will desire Nemesis Reloaded.

A+

10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

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www.imagecomics.com

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: NITA HAWES' NIGHTMARE BLOG #12

NITA HAWES' NIGHTMARE BLOG #12

IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Rodney Barnes

ART: Szymon Kudranski

COLORS: Luis Nct with mar and Silvestre Galotto

LETTERS: Marshall Dillon

EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello

COVER: Szymon Kudranski

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Davi Go

28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (February 2023)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

“Murder By Another Name” Part VI: “Acceptance”

Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog is a comic book series created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander.  Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog is written by Barnes.  The current artist is Szymon Kudranski.  Colorist Luis Nct and letterer by Marshall Dillon complete the creative team.  The series focuses on a woman who is on a quest to root out evil by helping the people who contact her blog.

In Baltimore, Maryland, which some call “Bodymore, Murderland,” there is a woman named Dawnita “Nita” Hawes.  She is the owner of “Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog” where citizens can contact Nita when they have a problem of a supernatural or paranormal nature.  Nita has just begun her quest to root the evil out of her city – with the help of her dead brother, Jason.

Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog #12 (“Acceptance”) opens outside the empty plantation manor that is the base of operations of “Jackie the Ripper,” scourge of Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland.  Police Detective Harden is ready to pop some caps in Jackie, but her erstwhile partner, Nita Hawes, knows that she must follow Jackie into the bowels of the old mansion.

Jackie the Ripper's reign of vengeance comes to a head as she faces off against Nita Hawes, the one woman who might be able to stop her.  Or is Nita the one human who can help Jackie end her painful immortality?  The winner of this battle will learn that victories don't come without a cost … if she didn't know that already.  Plus, Anasi the Spider-God referees.

THE LOWDOWN:  Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog is a spin-off of Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander's hit vampire comic book, Killadelphia.  The current story arc, “Murder By Another Name,” has come to an end, but not before making several direct connections to recent and ongoing events in Killadelphia.

I find that Barnes has used “Murder By Another Name” emancipate Nita Hawes, in a way.  She seems liberated from the pain and suffering of her pain and suffering – so to speak.  To me, this is how Barnes has evolved the series.  In the beginning, Nita was like a victim helping other victims.  I am assuming that going forward, when someone reaches out via the Nightmare Blog, that person will receive help from a warrior whose weapon is her empathy, which has been forged by trials and tribulations.

Szymon Kudranski's ghostly art is the perfect storytelling vehicle for this series, capturing the ethereal and murky natures of this series' action and drama.  And Kudranki's art allows Luis Nct's signature shadowy and haunting colors to find their most perfect companion.  Not to forget: Marshall Dillon's lettering also gives Barnes' script the sounds from beyond that it deserves.

So it seems that Nita is now headed to Philadelphia for a bit.  So, this can be a break for  you, dear readers; do catch up via the trades.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Killadelphia and of DC Comics' original Hellblazer will want Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog.

A+

You can buy the NITA HAWES' NIGHTMARE BLOG VOL. 2 trade paperback here at AMAZON.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://twitter.com/TheRodneyBarnes

https://twitter.com/jasonshawnalex

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https://imagecomics.com/

http://rodneybarnes.com/

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https://www.twitch.tv/imagecomics

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#IReadsYou Review: DARKLING #1

DARKLING #1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Sarah Kuhn

ART: Carola Borelli

COLORS: Ellie Wright

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITOR: Jamie Lee Rotante

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Maria Laura Sanapo

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: David Mack

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2024); on sale in comic book shops November 22, 2023

Rating: Teen+

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character.  In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”

Archie Comics has also published superhero comic books.  Its most well-known superhero title followed the superhero team, “The Mighty Crusaders.”  The Mighty Crusaders title that was launched in the 1980s (cover dated: March 1983 to September 1985) ran for thirteen issues.  The Mighty Crusaders #4 (cover dated: November 1983) saw the debut of the new superhero character “Darla Lang/Darkling.”  The character was killed off in The Mighty Crusaders #11 (cover dated March 1985).

Darkling No. 1 brings Darla Lang/Darkling to modern comics.  This one-shot comic book is written by Sarah Kuhn; drawn by Carola Borelli; colored by Ellie Wright; and lettered by Jack Morelli.

Darkling #1 opens at Ivy Hollow University, which has a reputation for being haunted.  It is the witching hour, and Ivy Hollow student, Darla Lang, wants to connect with the supernatural world.  Darla hopes to find a way to free herself of the peculiar voluminous black cloak that has been attached to her since she was a baby.

During a stealthy, middle-of-the-night trip to Ivy Hollow Library, Darla meets fellow outcast student, Phoebe Hayashi.  A podcaster, Phoebe believes that she is on the trail of a creepy conspiracy involving missing students.  Will Darla find within the hallowed halls Ivy Hollow the answers to the questions about herself and her powers that she’s been seeking

THE LOWDOWN:   I have been reading comic books, on and off, for decades.  I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time.  For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  Darkling No. 1 is the latest.

After reading Darkling No. 1, I wish it were an ongoing series.  Writer Sarah Kuhn (Shadow of the Batgirl; Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story) offers a delightful mystery tale set in the “dark academia” genre (or immersed in the “dark academia” aesthetic, if you choose).  Kuhn offers a breezy story that is both a highly-entertaining stand alone tale and also the beginning of something beautiful in YA comic books if Archie decides to continue it.  It's a world in which many readers will want their imaginations to live, at least part time.

Carola Borelli's art and storytelling are engaging, even gripping at times.  Borelli captures the thrills, chills, and clique-ish ills of Kuhn's script in a way that brings the world of Ivy Hollow University to life with variety and vividness.  Ellie Wright's colors and color effects are the finishing touches to the magical beats of Darkling No. 1, with the great Jack Morelli's lettering giving this story the vibe of a comic book that is perfect for all readers.

Darkling No. 1 will probably be a delightful surprise to everyone, except the creative and editorial teams of this work.  Dear readers, let's make this new Darkling a regular comic book thing.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Archie Comics' superhero titles will want to try Darkling No. 1.

[This comic book includes a two-page section on the making of Darkling No. 1.]

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://archiecomics.com/

https://twitter.com/archiecomics

https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: THE AMBASSADORS #5

THE AMBASSADORS #5 (OF 6)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Matteo Buffagni

COLORS: Michele Assarasakorn

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Matteo Buffagni

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Leinil Francis Yu

28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2023)

Rated M / Mature

The Ambassadors created by Mark Millar at Netflix

The Ambassadors is a comic book miniseries written and created by Mark Millar.  The series focuses on the six people out of eight billion humans who will receive super-powers.  Each person will become a member of  the international rescue squad, The Ambassadors.  Each issue of The Ambassadors will be drawn by a different superstar comic book artist.  The fifth issue is drawn by Matteo Buffagni; colored by Michele Assarasakorn; and lettered by Clem Robins.

The Ambassadors focuses on the efforts of Doctor Choon-He Chung.  The technology of her company, Chung Solutions (the world leader in bio-engineering and artificial intelligence), built her a new body.  Now, she wants to share super-powers with the world.  From her “Base-Control” which is in Antarctica, Choon-He is building “The Ambassadors.”

The Ambassadors #5 opens in Siberia.  There, we meet "Codename Australia."  He is Bob Taylor.  Six weeks ago, he was a 72-year-old man whose body was failing him.  Now, he is the superhero who is Australia's “Ambassador.”  Once upon a time, however, he was a anti-progressive man who specialized in racist and homophobic attacks.  Can Bob change?

Meanwhile, Jin-Sung Chung, Choon-He's former husband, makes his most startling moves in the superhero arena.  Plus, Jamie McPhail returns.  Remember him from the first issue?

THE LOWDOWN:  Thanks to a review copy provided by the Mark Millar division of Netflix, I have been able to read the first five issues of The Ambassadors.  This is a treat for which I have been awaiting since the announcement of the series last year.

Writer Mark Millar does penultimate issues (the second-to-last issue) of miniseries quite well, and The Ambassadors #5 promises a hell of sixth and final issue of the first arc of this franchise.  Meanwhile, Millar and artist Matteo Buffagni make sure that this fifth issue is an excellent read all on its own, and it is.  The Ambassadors #5 is a nice follow-up to the surprising fourth issue because (at least for me) it offers an old man as a superhero.  This fifth issue, with many surprises on its own, keeps the series undeniable and unmatched.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of big concept superhero comic books will want to read The Ambassadors.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/ImageComics

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

http://www.millarworld.tv/

www.imagecomics.com

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: GEEK-GIRL #10

GEEK-GIRL, VOL. 2 #10

MARKOSIA ENTERPRISES, LTD.

STORY: Sam Johnson

ART: Carlos Granda

COLORS: Chunlin Zhao

LETTERS: Paul McLaren

COVER: Fernando Melek with Chunlin Zhao; Carlos Villas

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Narcelio Sousa with Chunlin Zhao

24pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2023)

Rated T+ / 12+ only

Geek-Girl created by Sam Johnson

“Identity Crisis Prelude”

Created by Sam Johnson, Geek-Girl is a comic book character that debuted in the 2016 Geek-Girl miniseries,  She returned in a second miniseries, 2018's Geek-Girl Vol. 2, which became an ongoing series.  Geek-Girl Vol. 2 is written by Sam Johnson; drawn by Carlos Granda; colored by Chunlin Zhao; and lettered by Paul McLaren.

Geek-Girl focuses on Ruby Kaye of Acorn Ridge, Maine, a sexy and popular college coed who inadvertently becomes a superhero.  Ruby dons a pair of super-tech pair of eye glasses that gives her super-powers.  Ruby's BFF, Summer James, then talks her into trying to be a superhero, even providing her with a moniker.  Now, Ruby is Maine's newest superhero, “Geek-Girl.”

Geek-Girl Vol. 2 #10 (“Identity Crisis Prelude”) opens in the wake of the battle with Mean Girl, which saw The Whupper seriously injured.  Meanwhile, Geek-Girl is still fronting a “super-team,” but the team has already lost a member.  Now, Ruby is enjoying some girlfriend-drinking time with “The Minger.”  But team training is supposed to start tomorrow, and the team is slightly in disarray.

Meanwhile, Pit Bull gets himself involved in an unexpected battle.  Will he end up needing help?

THE LOWDOWN:  Geek-Girl creator-writer Sam Johnson sends me PDF review copies of the latest issues of Geek-Girl, and has been doing so for several years.  I enjoy reading about Geek-Girl and her (mis)adventures.  I like this comic book enough to believe that encouraging you to give this series a try, dear readers, is something I must do.

Sam is an imaginative writer and his stories, in a deceptively quiet way, are riveting.  I am always disappointed when I reach the end of an issue.  I wish he could publish more frequently, because issue #10 has a great cliffhanger.  He can make the reader feel comfortable with his characters, but he is always introducing a new element.  I find myself always wondering about what Ruby Kaye is going to do next.  Everything is new to her, and we get to experience that newness.  So what is she going to do about that training session?

Artist Carlos Granda is a more polished artist with each issue.  His clear and emotive storytelling, which really shows under Chunlin Zhao's excellent colors, is inviting to readers.  Paul McLaren's lettering is sharper than ever and makes Sam's story pop.

I thoroughly enjoyed and heartily recommend Geek-Girl #10.  I am also recommending the three trade paperbacks that currently collect most of the series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of lovable superheroes will find an all-around winner in Geek-Girl.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

Geek-Girl #10 is Out Now and available in Regular, Digital and Variant editions. Readers can buy a digital edition at comiXology or at https://www.amazon.com/Geek-Girl-Vol-10-Sam-Johnson-ebook/dp/B0BWSJ4P9C or a print edition at Indy Planet or at https://www.indyplanet.com/geek-girl-10.

https://twitter.com/daSamJohnson

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https://twitter.com/Markosia_News

https://markosia.com/

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: GEEK-GIRL #11

GEEK-GIRL, VOL. 2 #11

MARKOSIA ENTERPRISES, LTD.

STORY: Sam Johnson

ART: Carlos Granda

COLORS: Chunlin Zhao

LETTERS: Paul McLaren

24pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2023)

Rated T+ / 12+ only

Geek-Girl created by Sam Johnson

“Identity Crisis” Part 1: “I Want to Be You.”

Created by Sam Johnson, Geek-Girl is a comic book character that debuted in the 2016 Geek-Girl miniseries,  She returned in a second miniseries, 2018's Geek-Girl Vol. 2, which subsequently became an ongoing series.  Geek-Girl Vol. 2 is written by Sam Johnson; drawn by Carlos Granda; colored by Chunlin Zhao; and lettered by Paul McLaren.

Geek-Girl focuses on Ruby Kaye of Acorn Ridge, Maine, a sexy and popular college coed who inadvertently becomes a superhero.  Ruby dons a pair of super-tech eye glasses that give her super-powers.  Ruby's BFF, Summer James, then talks her into trying to be a superhero, even providing her with a moniker.  Now, Ruby is Maine's newest superhero, “Geek-Girl.”

Geek-Girl Vol. 2 #11 (“I Want to Be You.”) opens with Geek-Girl and The Minger headed to a local mall where “Pit Bull,” also known as “Maine's premier super-hero,” is getting his butt kicked.  Geek-Girl does not realize that the beat-down is being delivered by a new villain, “Identity Thief,” and she wants Geek-Girl's powers.  As they engage in a chase, Geek-Girl discovers that something very strange is happening to her – and it may mean her life.

Meanwhile, Summer is still trying to get super-powers of her own.  And what is Digger Mensch up to?

THE LOWDOWN:  Geek-Girl creator-writer Sam Johnson regularly sends me PDF review copies of the latest issues of Geek-Girl, and has been doing so for several years.  I enjoy reading about Geek-Girl and her (mis)adventures.  I like this comic book enough to believe that encouraging you to give this series a try, dear readers, is one way I can contribute something good to the comic book industry.

As I have said before, Sam is an imaginative writer and his stories, in a deceptively quiet way, are riveting.  In the mighty Marvel Comics tradition, Sam is good at creating characters that are as interesting as civilians as they are as superheroes and super-villains.  I would say that Ruby Kaye and Geek-Girl are closer to a Marvel characters such as Peter Parker/Spider-Man than she is to a Wonder Woman/Diana Prince.

Artist Carlos Granda is a more polished artist with each issue.  He brings out the nuances in Sam's character writing and captures the overall humorous tone and bent of Geek-Girl.  His clear and emotive storytelling, which really shows under Chunlin Zhao's excellent colors, welcomes the readers into this series.  Paul McLaren's lettering is sharper than ever and makes Sam's story pop.

Geek-Girl #11 epitomizes this series' charm and humanity, which are so strong that they could make shojo manga sparkles pop out around this comic book.  It's also time to kick start Geek-Girl #12 and the Fake Geek-Girl #1-Shot at “Kickstarter,” so see below for more information.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of lovable superheroes will find an all-around winner in Geek-Girl.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

Geek-Girl #11 is order via Indy Planet at https://www.indyplanet.com/geek-girl-11 or Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Geek-Girl-Vol-11-Sam-Johnson-ebook/dp/B0C6B8MTRN/ or for the deluxe issue, go to Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/geekgirlcomics/geek-girl-jump-on-issue-deluxe-plus-new-and-previous-issues

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#IReadsYou Movie Review: MADAME WEB

Madame Web (2024)

Running time:  117 minutes (1 hour, 57 minutes)

MPA – PG-13 for violence/action and language

DIRECTOR:  S.J. Clarkson

WRITERS:  Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless and Claire Parker & S.J. Clarkson; from a story by Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless and Kerem Sanga (based on the Marvel Comics)

PRODUCER:  Lorenzo di Bonaventura

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Mauro Fiore (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Leigh Folsom Boyd

COMPOSER:  Johan Soderqvist

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/HORROR/ACTION

Starring:  Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O'Connor, Tahar Rahim, Adam Scott, Emma Roberts, Kerry Bishé, Zosia Mamet, José María Yazpik, and Mike Epps

Madame Web is a 2024 superhero fantasy, horror, and action film directed by S.J. Clarkson.  The movie is based on the Marvel Comics character, Madame Webb/Cassandra Webb, that was created by writer Denny O'Neil and artist John Romita Jr. and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #210 (cover dated: November 1980).  This is also the fourth film in “Sony's Spider-Man Universe” (SSU) series.  Madame Web the movie focuses on a NYC paramedic who starts having visions of a shadowy figure hunting three young women.

Madame Web opens in 1973 in the jungles of Peru.  There, scientist Constance Webb (Kerry Bishe) searches for a rare spider deep in the Amazon.  At her side is her assistant, Ezekiel Sims (Tahar Rahim), who has plans of his own.  They are also surrounded by legends and rumors of “Las Arañas,” a secret Peruvian tribe in which its members have spider powers.  In the end, discovery leads to betrayal, death, and birth.

Thirty years later, New York City, 2003, Constance's daughter, Cassandra “Cassie” Webb (Dakota Johnson) is a paramedic.  An accident causes Cassie to start having strange visions, which she comes to believe are clairvoyant.  These visions of the future feature three young women:  Julia Cornwall (Sydney Sweeney), Anya Corazon (Isabela Merced), and Mattie Franklin (Celeste O'Connor) being hunted by a mysterious figure.  This man wears a costume; he has enhanced strength and speed; and he can crawl on walls and ceilings like a spider.  Forced to confront her past and her psychic abilities, Cassie must safeguard these three young women before this deadly adversary murders them.

Madame Web is fourth film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe following Venom (2018), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), and Morbius (2022).  In my estimation, dear readers, Madame Webb is the second best of the quartet behind only the original Venom.

In fact, Madame Webb isn't the “worst film ever,” “absolutely horrible,” or any of the over-the-top things haters and trolls are saying on social media.  It isn't a great film, but Madame Web is quite entertaining.  However, I have ideas about why this new film is getting so much hate.  One reason is that there is a corner of social media that is dedicated to dissing films that are largely led by women characters.  We saw this in the vitriol and invective directed at the 2016 Ghostbusters film and Marvel Studios' recent target, The Marvels.  There are also some structural and narrative reasons that might irritate some viewers, and in order to talk about them, I will have to give you, dear readers, a...

SPOILERS WARNING:  Madame Web is a hybrid of superheroes, dark fantasy, horror, action, and mysticism.  On the superhero end, only the adversary trying to kill the three young women wears a costume.  Sometime in the future of Madame Web's timeline, Julia Cornwall, Anya Corazon, and Mattie Franklin will each be a version of the hero, Spider-Woman, but now they are not.  We only see them in their respective costumes in Cassie's visions of the future.  Still, in the main body of the story, each actress plays her respective character as if she takes her role seriously.  The trio is fun and rebellious, and their energy makes this film hop when it starts to drag.

On the action end, Madame Web has car chases and crashes and eye-crossing fights.  The film's mystical angle comes across as a bit hokey, especially when Cassie talks about her powers.  However, when Cassie's visions kick-in, they are trippy, confusing, and disorienting; they come and go in so many alternate versions with horror movie intensity.

Madame Web certainly could have been a better film had the main male characters had more development.  Screen time isn't the issue.  Adam Scott's Ben Parker, to whom you should pay attention, is more errand boy than friend, and the bad guy often comes across as a stock villain.

That said Madame Web is an entertaining film, and Dakota Johnson is good as Cassie Webb, considering neither her character nor this film in general has the benefit of a strong screenplay.  Madame Webb is a slightly above-average comic book movie, and it should entertain most fans of superhero movies... except those with culture war agendas.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: KILLADELPHIA #28

KILLADELPHIA #28

IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Rodney Barnes

LAYOUTS: Jason Shawn Alexander

PENCILS: Germán Erramouspe

INKS: Jason Shawn Alexander with Robert Melendrez

COLORS: Lee Loughridge

LETTERS: Marshall Dillon

EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello

COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Chris Anthony

32pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (February 2023)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Killadelphia created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

“There's No Place Like Home” Part IV: “Death of the Dream”

Killadelphia is an apocalyptic vampire and dark fantasy comic book series from writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jason Shawn Alexander.  Published by Image Comics, it centers on a conspiracy in which vampires attempt to rule Philadelphia.  The series is currently written by Barnes and drawn by Alexander and Germán Erramouspe.  Colorist Lee Loughridge and letterer Marshall Dillon complete Killadelphia's creative team.

Killadelphia focuses on James “Jim” Sangster, Jr., a ragtag team of fighters, and a menagerie of gods and monsters on one side or the other or both in the vampire invasion of Philadelphia.  Of note are a special young vampire (Tevin Thompkins a.k.a. “See Saw”), Anansi the Spider-God, and the infamous rebel leader turned monster hunter, Toussaint Louverture, and his army of killers.

As Killadelphia #28 (“Death of the Dream”) opens, immortal (vampire) Thomas Jefferson mourns the destruction of his compatriot-turned-immortal, George Washington.  But why can't eternally young old Tom Jefferson show real love to the man who has loved him like he was blood, his slave turned vampire, Jupiter?

Plus, See Saw suffers an existential crisis.  What has really changed in Philly since the vampire infestation, he wonders?  Is shit the same in Killadelphia?  Meanwhile, Anansi, a trickster god, tries to trick the great deceiver himself.

THE LOWDOWN:  We are at the middle point of Killadelphia's fifth story arc, “There's No Place Like Home.”  Before this arc debuted, creators Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander warned readers that they were not prepared for what was coming in the arc – which has proven to be true, very true.

I'm not sure what to say about Killadelphia #28, although I can say that love it … to death.  Some of it reads like an enthralling, fiery Black Panther Party tract that throws jet fuel on a gasoline fire.  Other parts read like a hypnotic revenge fantasy inspired by “The 1619 Project.”

In my recent reviews of comic books written by Mark Millar (such as Nemesis Reloaded), I talked about how they recall the craziness and rebellion of 1980s comic books.  Killadelphia is beautifully crazy.  If Fox News and other conservative, right wing, reactionary, KKK media organizations knew about Killadelphia, they would dog Rodney Barnes' name they do Nikole Hannah-Jones.

If such criticism and negativity were to become a reality, however, they would ask you a simple question, dear readers.  If you aren't reading Killadelphia, then, why isn't your dumb ass reading Killadelphia?

NOTE: Killadelphia #28 is also available in a “Noir Edition,” featuring black-and-white line art interiors.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of vampire comic books and of exceptional dark fantasy will want Killadelphia.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can buy KILLADELPHIA VOL. 5 at Amazon.

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