PGHHEAD’S 2023 COMICS ODYSSEY, PART 13
This marks the third consecutive year that I will attempt to document my comics reading by writing at least a mini-review. The goal is 1200 books read and reviewed in 2023, although I missed the mark in 2022 by 88 books. Still, I like that number as it’s easy enough to track - - - 100 books per month on average. Wish me luck!
# GOAL FOR March 31, 2023. . . 300 comics documented
CURRENT COUNT . . . . . 282 comics documented
#273 - #276 PARASOMNIA #1 - #4 by Cullen Bunn and Andrea Mutti (Dark Horse Comics, 2021) The New Oxford Dictionary defines parasomnia as any of a group of sleep disorders characterized by the regular occurrence of abnormal movements, vocalizations, or experiences, such as sleepwalking, talking in one's sleep, or night terrors. Cullen Bunn's take on that term is creative and appealing. But, he messes things up with haphazard story-telling, ill-defined scenarios, and doesn't get about revealing his hand until it's too late.
Here’s the synopsis from the Goodreads website:
From Cullen Bunn (Harrow County) and Andrea Mutti (Prometheus, Starship Down), comes a new dark fantasy tale of two worlds split between dreams and reality. After his son disappears, a broken-down man braves a nightmarish dreamscape in order to find him--and battle the ruthless cult that seeks to rule the land of dreams as the barrier between realities starts to collapse.
Cullen Bunn comes up with a very interesting premise for what should be a compelling story, but drops the ball in execution. He leaves far too much for readers to discern and the vague, confusing story meanders along before finally revealing enough information to make sense of it in Issue #4, the final issue. Truth be told, it was the art that kept me going. I'm going to check out anything that Andrea Mutti is involved in, regardless of how bad the story might be. I can't get enough of his intriguing illustrations.
I read this in the single monthly issues, and have a feeling many readers bailed out before getting that far. To add insult to injury, the story does not conclude, to be continued in Volume Two. It still ends with many unanswered questions, and is not satisfying. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
From the publisher’s synopsis: Gene manipulation has always been solely for those who can afford the expensive prenatal treatments. Income determines status and, more importantly, survival. If your genes have not been optimized, the Order has no use for you. You are nonessential. Less than. To be eliminated. Everything is geared to keeping the ship of state sailing along smoothly, no matter the cost.?? But in every totalitarian system lies the seeds of rebellion, independence, and OUTRAGE.
While that sounds like a good template for a cosmic space opera detailing a class struggle against oppressive forces, Starlin adds more engaging touches. He’s still a solid storyteller in the classic style. There are enough layers to this story, and much is left to the reader to uncover as it should be in a generation-spanning epic that needs to make all it’s points within four issues.
What interests me the most is the hint of a complex character study of three strong independent women (who may have a connection/link) from three different time periods in this universe. The first of these is nameless so far and may actually be a god/immortal, awakening in an alien setting only to be confronted by forces of the Order. Alexis is a young woman fleeing the persecution of the Order (all non-exceptional genes get eliminated) who perhaps in tragedy finds a new mentor/savior in an alien species. Megan is a security officer within the Order, disappointed by not being promoted to a science team, and expressing her dissatisfaction to her superior officer. Later, she gets a dangerous hint at what dissension may bring. Lots of promise here, and I’ll probably follow this based on the Starlin/Morales connection. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
This is a cool blend of science fiction, fantasy, and crime drama. The art does remind me of the images from SAGA but it’s not exactly the same. Both artists make the most of what I consider a minimalist style. There are some very creative panels as well as different perspectives, even overhead-appearing visuals that a drone camera might have captured. However, some of the panels appear a bit too cartoonish for my tastes. Sometimes the close-ups are so close that it’s hard to tell exactly what is being shown.
Kiros is the last remaining city following a centuries-old battle with the “Great Evil”, and is inhabited by humans, elves, fairies, mermaids, and various fantasy creatures. Main character Paedra Essex is a black cloak detective investigating the murder of a Royal family member (who she has history with). As the story unfolds, we learn that she is an estranged member of royalty and has to communicate with the elite after twenty years of silence. She’s the most interesting character here, and hopefully will return after what happens to her as the first issue ends.
As much as I like what I”ve seen so far, I’m going to hold off on following BLACK CLOAK. There’s already more than enough that I’m picking up every month even if I read nothing but comics. FOUR STARS.
I was engaged in the story, but missed the absence of the original creative team. Anna Everts does a fine job with the script and enhances the character of Blackthorne, the Sheriff of Nottingham. The art by Serra is equally appealing, although not on the level of Volume One and Two (one of the highlights that made those series so delightful for me).
The story details the first encounter of Blackthorne with Monsieur Reynard, a totally despicable character with no morals - - a poacher, a thief, a rapist, a murderer. THREE STARS.
Pop Tate has been serving burgers and shakes to the teens of Riverdale for generations, and his Chock’lit Shoppe is “the beating heart of the city.” In this fun one-shot collection, he becomes a real ghoul as what goes on after dark at the shoppe is terrifying.
Don’t try to leave without paying your dinner bill. Pop stops teenage couple Nick and Sherry from exiting and employs them into gruesome clean-up service in “Die And Dash” by Amy Chase and Federico Sabbatini.
In Ryan Cady and Chris Panda’s “Night Shift” Kevin Keller starts working at the shoppe and learns just how different and difficult the late-night crowd of diners can be.
In my favorite story from Jordan Morris and Liana Kangas, Archie mainstay Bettie Cooper forgets her cell phone at the shoppe and returns after closing via the back door, only to interrupt a private dining event. The title, “Soylent Teen” is a dead giveaway for what’s on the menu. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
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