In 2021 I’d like to cross over the 1,000 comics review barrier, meaning reviews that I (Mike Clarke a.k.a. pghhead) contribute to the blog. That’s what this odyssey is about, beginning January 01, 2021. Wish me luck. . . .
# GOAL FOR JULY 31 . . . 583 comics documented
CURRENT COUNT . . . . . 540 comics documented
#526 - #531 THE LIFE AND DEATH OF TOYO HARADA #1 - #6 (Valiant, 2019) My favorite of all the Valiant series is Harbinger as written by Joshua Dysart, with Toyo Harada being one of the most complex and interesting good/bad characters. A true schemer with bold visions of a future society with him at the helm and even bolder plans to infiltrate, manipulate and control whole countries in order to make that happen. His ambitions sound worthy until you dig beneath the surface. He uses allies like disposable tools.
Potentially the most powerful of all the psiots, he builds a space elevator to reach the alien technology debris ring orbiting Earth. His enemies are many, and an alliance with a alien consciousness brings him both new tech and scientific knowledge as well as sabotage that may be his undoing.
Mixed in with the present story of the downfall of Harada and the dismantling of his empire are several flashbacks including his origin story and early years. This is a complex, well-thought out story with dynamic art that engages on several levels. I"m so glad to read more of Dysart's work with this character. Life . . . . Death . . . . . New Beginnings. FOUR STARS.
Consider THE ELECTRIC BLACK PRESENTS as Volume Two of Joseph Schmalke and Rich Woodall’s creation. Based on the three issues so far, it appears that some of these stories will be exploring members of that supporting cast as well as the Black mythology itself. Every curio in the shop seems to have an interesting story behind it.
“The Yellow Mask” takes us back to France 1348 in the days of the Black Plague. Louis, a member of the medical inquisition seeks to obtain the mask from the Yellow Stranger, who reveals the long and mysterious history of the yellow mask. A timely tale with parallels to our current pandemic.
The next tale takes us to the 1964 jungles of Vietnam where “Roy” a bloody, Hulk-like killing machine began as a captive of the Vietcong, subjected to toxic experimental injections that produced a berserker rage. Now released, Father Tesso and the Inquisition persuade the solder to channel his power and energy to aid U.S. Army forces.
Much mention is made throughout this issue of both “The Light” and “The Void”, not to mention those inquisitions. Make a note, please. This may become more important later. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#533 THE ELECTRIC BLACK PRESENTS #2 (Scout/Black Caravan, December 2020) The first story, “Erebus”, harkens back to early man and links Biblical events to the Black itself. Mankind are the champions of The Light, and jealous of the powers of the Djinn, the offspring of Darkness.
Writer Joseph Schmalke puts his own spin of the story of Cain and Abel, where Cain kills his brother over love of a Djinn. From their pairing is born Erebus, child of Light and Darkness and the keeper of the Black Ledger.
The origins of “Julius Black” are revealed in the second story, written by Rich Woodall. Things aren’t going well for Luric, the last Druidic King of Britain as the Roman invaders of Julius Caesar conquer and then persecute Luric, tying him to a tree (which has a dramatic part to play in his release). From the ashes of Luric’s revenge is born Julius Black, the current keeper of The Black Ledger and proprietor of The Electric Black. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#534 NOTTINGHAM #5 of 5 (Mad Cave, July 2021)
Sheriff Blackthorne versus The Hood with Maid Marian right in the middle. But she’s not helpless - - she’s fighting them both and holding them off.
The final issue. If you haven’t been able to find this sold-out creative spin on the Robin Hood legend with some amazing angular art - - the mini-series will be collected in trade paperback, coming in September 2021.
The best overall quality book I”ve seen from relatively new indie publisher Mad Cave.
FOUR STARS.
#535 SPACE PILOT CAPTAIN HARLOCK #2 (Ablaze, July 2021)
This book is giving me eye strain. The panels are just too small. That’s a shame because the anime-inspired art is interesting.
Decent story, as well. Too bad I’ve got to drop this one from my pulls.
THREE STARS.
#536 JAMES BOND AGENT OF SPECTRE #5 of 5 (Dynamite, July 2021)
A neat wrap-up to this engaging mini-series.
Bond’s plan was to set Spectre head rivals Blofeld and Ms. Jones against each other, hoping they would kill each other. But he didn’t plan on being right in the middle, in the thick of it.
A satisfactory but soft ending to the saga.
FOUR STARS.
#537 THE ELECTRIC BLACK PRESENTS #3 (Scout/Black Caravan, March 2021)
If you’re curious about this title and want to pick up an issue I recommend #3. It’s my favorite so far. This issue shines the spotlight on some more of the characters who reside inside The Electric Black curio shop.
“Hazel and June” details how June and little sister Hazel came to The Electric Black. Captives of a creepy family right out of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, they manage to gain release due to their unique genealogy. The reason why readers have never seen little Hazel before is because of a quick transference that Julius Black had to invoke.
“Jack” transports us to 1868 Dublin Ireland where a group of prominent gentlemen gather round a table in an exclusive club (where depravity and carnal delights rule) for a twisted version of Spin the Bottle - - Spin the Scapel. Bloody good. FOUR STARS.
#538 GODS OF BRUTALITY #1 (Scout/Black Caravan, July 2021) I’ve been sampling the offerings from new Black Caravan imprint, and this one may turn out to be my absolute favorite (knocking THE ELECTRIC BLACK off the pedestal).
Some of my favorite mythological hero-based comics have an element of humor mixed in with the seriousness. (Take Fred Van Lente’s THE INCREDIBLE HERCULES for example.) Both Zeus and Odin are troubled by the brash personalities of their sons, so when a recently deceased heavy metal god (rock star) send a plea for rescue from Hell - - they decide to dispatch Hercules and Thor. Much mayhem, cursing, spilled blood and humor results - - and its only Issue #1. There are many layers of Hell to navigate through before Nick Dillon of The Murder Bats hard rock band can get back to Earth.
The story is told in flashback as an older Nick reveals what happened to him to a jaded music reporter. Some mystery is introduced as Nick is planning to retire and seems to fear something unspoken.
A fun story which I read twice. Great art, especially some of the monsters and scenes from Hell. Gotta love the demonic Girl Scouts. And, was that eyepatch Nick Fury hiding in the crowd? FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#539 M*F*K*Z #1 (Behemoth, 2021) I heard some hype about this one, so when I saw this on the shelf during my comic shop visits I quickly scanned it and decided to take a chance on it. The art intrigued me. Just found out this was a Netflix animated movie, which is probably what the buzz is about.
This is one odd book, the sole creation of Guillaume “Run” Renard. He was raised in France and visited Los Angeles. The city made an impression on him, and this is his alternate twisted version of it. In the text back matter Renard says: “I learned to love Los Angeles for what it truly is, leaving behind the idealized image that Hollywood fed me while I grew up, and despite the fact that it is also a concentration of everything wrong with postmodern cities: horrendous traffic, pollution, lack of pedestrian areas, division among communities, from the richest jet setters to the most intimidating gangs.” Yep, the L.A. of M*F*K*Z is just like that.
Main character Angelino (Blackhead - small, childish, with a jet black oval of a head with big oversize eyes and small pupils, a slit for a mouth)
is having a hard time holding down a pizza delivery job in the rough Montebello Quarter of Dark Meat City. He shares a squalid, cockroach infested apartment with Vinz, also small in stature with a flaming skull/Ghost Rider head.
Various groups (Men In Black garbed agents, various street gangs, government S.W.A.T. team) are after them in several choppy episodes interspersed with a Mexican tag team wrestling match. That’s as much plot as you get. The expressive and intriguing art is what kept me reading this over-sized first issue, although it’s done in that compressed format that transfers the larger-sized European comics to fit American comic pages.
It will be interesting to see if Issue #2 establishes more of a plot now that the introductions are out of the way. If I see it, I’ll give a quick scan and then determine whether to buy it.THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#540 NIGHTWING #82 (DC, July 2021)
Fans of Nightwing who have endured more than their share of meh plot lines and creative teams should be excited by what writer Tom Taylor is doing with the character. I picked this up around Issue #79 on a whim, and now I’m keeping a close eye on this title.
The connection between Dick Grayson and Melinda Zucco is revealed. I won’t spoil it but there is a heart-warming Good Samaritan vibe to the story, which flashes back to the circus days of the Flying Grayson family.
Big villain Blockbuster feels too much like DC’s version of Marvel’s Kingpin to my liking, as I prefer my villains not to be cardboard cut-outs. Still, I like everything else about this book.
FOUR STARS.
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