In 2021 I set a goal to post reviews here for 1,000 comics, and finished the year at 1,008 reviews. It was a stretch - - not to read that many comics, because I actually read quite a bit more. The challenge is to find and take the time to write a fair review of what I read - - but I made it. I’m up for a new year, and a new challenge. My goal for 2022 is to read and document 1,200 comics. That’s an average of 100 books per month, easy enough to check and update. Wish me luck!
# GOAL FOR April 20, 2022 . . . 367 comics documented
CURRENT COUNT . . . . . 343 comics documented
That premise is interesting and Issue #1 shows a lot of promise. However, my enjoyment was marred by some sloppy story-telling from the usually dependable Tim Seeley (no stranger to vampire fare).
Initially, I didn’t bookmark this issue but that main cover (a homage to grindhouse films) really pulled me in and resulted in my plucking this little gem off the comic shop new release shelf.
Manassas, Virginia 1861: Dooley, an Irish immigrant and Confederate soldier is digging new graves at a battlefield cemetery when an unusual wooden headstone with a ringing bell gets his attention. He unearths the body of classy Constance Der Abend, who mesmerizes Dooley and makes him her loyal assistant.
When her New York home is burned, Constance and Dooley must relocate to the West and a town in New Mexico and the earth where Constance was reborn (needed to revitalize her). Wait, wasn’t she dug up in Virginia? There’s also no explanation of who may be hunting her and burned her home. There’s a ten year gap in the storyline, the reason for which is not clear. These are the kind of things that pull me out of a story and interfere with my full involvement.
Looks like this Western town is a haven for all types of “monsters” who may or may not be willing to make room for Constance. The art is interesting and atmospheric, and I’ll probably come back for Issue #2 based on what I liked here. Issue #2 really needs to win me over,
THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
When WAR GUARD showed up on the new release shelf of a local comic shop I visit as an AfterShock Ambassador I decided to pick it up and give it a chance to win me over. It didn’t, although others may appreciate what’s being offered here more than I do.
It’s another super-hero comic. After reading decades of superhero tales I’m pretty jaded and need to be wowed by a new book. What’s different about this one is that the superheroes come from Heaven. There’s a page from the Advent Universe Handbook in the back of the book that does a good job of detailing what it’s all about:
“The War Guard is comprised of Heaven’s greatest warriors and heroes who were created by God to safeguard both the golden realm of Heaven and mankind. Led by the Archangel Michael . . . . . The War Guard came to Earth to stop a global takeover attempt by Lucifer and played an integral part in his defeat alongside mankind’s heroes.”
Not all the angels are 100% noble and wholesome goody two shoes. Uziel, one of the strongest angels, harbors a dislike for humans and Abaddon (Angel Of Death) is a powerful reaper of human souls. With a premise like that, it’s hard not to be considered a religious comic book - - although War Guard doesn’t advocate any specific church, group, or faith. However, there are plenty of quotes from the Old and New Testaments throughout. Why not, as was suggested to me, call it a biblical comic?
The art and colors are well done and much better than the cover art, The story-writing is solid but some of the dialogue is a bit lofty. THREE STARS.
I’ll skip the summary, as this is a spell-binding story that I wouldn’t want to spoil. Here are some reasons you may want to check this out:
- MIDNIGHT ROSE is a creepy, eerie story of one woman’s life from conception through the afterlife, told from alternate viewpoints (often her own narration). If you like twisty TWILIGHT ZONE-like stories and classic EC TALES FROM THE CRYPT this will satisfy.
- The triumphant return of legend Jim Starlin to writing. This is different in content from what he is best known for (Thanos, Captain Marvel, Adam Warlock, Dreadstar, etc) but has all the earmarks of his story-telling style. A mash-up of science fiction/horror/romance/revenge like no other.
- A showcase for the outstanding work of artist Nikkol Jelenic. Simply gorgeous images. She appears to have altered her style just enough to be mistaken for Starlin art, with exultant results.
- Incredible portrait-like, painterly bold swashes of color from DC Alonso, the best example of his coloring genius I have seen so far.
MIDNIGHT ROSE is “a journey through the life of singular, frightening and very human creature: Midnight Rose. A particularly bizarre tale of loneliness, love and what happens when you can’t help but give in to the vengeance growing deep within yourself.” FIVE STARS.
At the root of THE KAIJU SCORE was gang-leader Marco’s crazy idea to pull off a big heist under cover of a kaiju attack, which should command the full undivided attention of police forces. One of the operatives he hired was Gina, a stylish femme fatale with safe-cracking skills. In a plot twist Gina was offed by Michelle, who impersonated her until her true identity was revealed when things became gummed up.
Michelle is back in KAIJU SCORE: STEAL FROM THE GODS. She’s the gang leader now, and her operations are much more successful even when her crooked employer plans to kill her gang and take the loot. Michelle is coerced into working for Javier, a wealthy eccentric who contracts criminal crews to steal rare antiquities. Turns out that before the Kaiju monsters there were ancient ones, behemoths regarded as gods.Greatest was Prodathu, the great destroyer, thought to be dead but actually in a hibernation state. Many centuries ago, Prodathu attacked a Spanish fleet carrying treasure and swallowed one of those ships. The treasure now resides within his digestive tract. Whew!
Next Issue: “Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Michelle has no choice but to take another monster score. While it’s old hat for her, her new crew has no idea what they’re in for.”
I only know that I’m in for fun. FOUR STARS.
However, this new creative team for Red Sonja made me recall some beloved tales back in the Marvel Feature/Red Sonja days of Roy Thomas on respectful scripts and Frank Brunner on dynamic art.
Mircolo’s art here is gripping and reveals touches of Brunner influence. Abnett seems to be opening the door for Sonja to wander into the land of Arthurian mythos (but not specifically identified as such, a little alternation here - - for example - - Arthr.) Doesn’t matter. This was a great introductory issue.
Sonja, traveling on horseback and alone in a bad storm, seeks shelter at the only building she’s seen for days, occupied by a wizened old man called Lott the Keeper.
“This is . . . The Last House. The price is simply your story . . . . . but it must be true.” Sonja accepts the offer of food and warmth by the fire and begins her tale of the enchanted chainmail that she wears, wishing she was free of what has made her a she-devil. They swap stories. And soon, devilry ensues. FOUR STARS.
There’s an advanced civilization under the sea, and Aspen Matthews is a child of two worlds. Born amongst the underwater race of the Blue, she was raised by humans.
In this second volume the U.S. government launches a sneak attack on the blue city of Saba. The situation caused me to make some comparisons to the current Ukraine situation: Saba asks for help against the top-siders advanced hybrid fighters but the blue Capital City’s council has a “no protection policy” and the request fails. With destruction looming, Cannon Hawke and Kiani disobey the council and manage to coordinate a rescue/escape. That causes the council to apprehend and imprison Cannon for trial and sentencing.
Meanwhile Aspen has been abducted by the secretive underwater Black race and learns a big secret about her ancestry. Who knows what Volume # Fathom is up to now and what has happened since this. Someday when I’ve got more disposable income I’ll order a trade paperback and consume a chunk of story. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
I introduced my grandson to TINY TITANS a few years back and he loved the books. Now, he’s 6.75-years-old and reading at an advanced level. He enjoys the Teen Titans Go cartoons, so I’m sure he’s going to love this once I mail it to him (Indianapolis). I always read anything I”m sending his way first just to make sure there is no objectionable or inappropriate content for his age.
I”m surprised at the some of the vocabulary here (also impressed by it) as well as the maturity of some of the subject matter. However, I think he’s more than ready for this. I had a good time reading this big 100 page collection of eight stories.
I enjoyed all the stories, and two were favorites. In “The Hic You Say?!” Starfire’s hiccups are explosive and the Titans have to figure out creative ways to stop them or at least to utilize them in a beneficial way.
A “friendly” game of mini-golf gets ultra-competitive among the male members of the Titans (Beast Boy, Robin, Cyborg) in “Par For The Course”. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
“The award-winning series continues, as Rebecca makes a new friend and Coralie strikes out on her own. Rebecca is spending time in the country with her father, and Ernest of course, when things begin to change. Rebecca befriends a boy who is her age and sees her sister leave to return to the city on her own. Will Ernest & Rebecca’s friendship survive?”
This is my first introduction to the work of Guillaume Bianco and the Ernest & Rebecca series. I'm impressed by the considerate treatment of some delicate subject matter in a book labeled as suitable for all-ages.
I found this in a bargain bin a few years back and purchased it as a future gift for my book-loving grandson when he was the appropriate age to appreciate it. He's turning seven-years old in a few months, and while I think he'd laugh at most of this I'm going to hold off on giving it to him for a bit longer.
It raises questions about solitary parenting and death and teenage cheating/jealousy that I'm not sure I want to introduce to him quite yet. I could consult his parents but I prefer to wait. However, I do appreciate the way that it is handled here and feel this is a great book for middle schoolers and older. FOUR STARS.
Charles Soule adds enough new insights and depth to the character to help readers empathize more with Darth Vader and therein become more engaged in the story. It certainly worked for me.
The introduction of new character Jocasta Nu, the veteran Jedi and custodian of the Jedi Temple Library is excellent. She's an exciting character and surprisingly gives Vader a hard time, actually gaining the upper hand on him (although he is unaware of the duplicity).
The other story in this volume centers around the rise of a young Darth Vader in the Emperor's favor and the jealousy of other Imperial officers and politicians who are not above putting out a contract on his head. Good stuff here.
FOUR STARS.
I really enjoy the job that writer Kieron Gillen has done with this title. This has everything - - characterization, politics, war, action, manipulation . . . . in a comparison to our global battle for control of oil fields. The way the token monarchy is propped up and maneuvered by the Empire is so believable. It's the ore barons that control the planet.
FOUR STARS.
“The Dark Lord of the Sith's unstoppable march continues! The natives of Shu-Torun are revolting, and there's no way the Empire will stand for that. When Darth Vader is tasked with leading a military assault against the planet, could it be that his rise to glory has begun? But who will follow Vader into war? Would you? Then again, it's better to fight alongside Vader than against him. That's a lesson that the ore barons are about to learn.”
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