Special thanks to 4TH WALL COMICS in Lancaster, PA for providing some extra reading material during my home recovery from a leg injury. You are awesome!
#142 CEMETERY KIDS DON’T DIE #1 by Zac Thompson and Daniel Irizarri (Oni Press-Lion Forge, February 2024)
I love comics that mix different genres as well as this one does. CEMETERY KIDS DON’T DIE is a skillful blend of science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and role-play gaming. It’s all about a good premise, good story-telling, and eye-catching art. This hits all those marks. Bullseye!
SYNOPSIS: “The 21st century sucks hard, but it's made somewhat tolerable by the latest and greatest media innovations. Enter the Dreamwave: the first gaming console played entirely while you sleep. The obsession of millions around the globe, it's also the one point of solace for four friends known as the "Cemetery Kids," who spend their nights roaming the endless maps of the most brutal horror game ever created as they seek to dethrone the "King of Sleep.”
The story opens up with four nerdy friends playing a Dungeons & Dragons/Gauntlet type of game that seems a little too real, especially when the players die. They usually wake up when that happens. Except this time, Pik awakens with a nasty red scar across his neck where the monster in the game sliced his head off. His condition worsens, but to say more would spoil it for readers. It’s pretty horrific and frightening. This could be a good one. FOUR STARS.
#143 FACELESS AND THE FAMILY #1 written and illustrated by Matt Lesniewski (Oni Press-Lion Forge, November 2023)
Those of us who love the possibilities of comic art and those creators who push and test the boundaries will want to give this gorgeous black-and-white mini-series a try-out. The variations in shading and deep lines to indicate depth and perspective are really enhanced in black-and-white art, and often adding color mutes the effect. But, I would love to see what would look like with an equally creative colorist involved. Lesniewski’s art reminds me of classic underground comics, the wild imagination of Peter Max, and a dash of M.C. Esher.
The storyline is whimsical and adventurous, sort of like a scaled down version of the Canterbury Tales. Be prepared to have your mind blown organically, without need of chemical stimulus. FOUR STARS.
SYNOPSIS:
“From the magnificently distorted imagination of Eisner Award-nominated cartoonist Matt Lesniewski (Mind Mgmt Bootleg, Crimson Flower, The Freak) comes a new milestone in comic book storytelling that must be seen to be believed: Faceless & the Family!
On the broken and warped world known as the Hand Planet, the wanderer simply called Faceless ekes out existence on the margins to escape the shame that cost him his name and his identity. Exiled for his crimes, Faceless now calls the wastelands his home-until the good fortune of fate delivers him a mismatched band of fellow travelers who will soon become family . . . if they can survive.”
#144 THE INFERNALS #1 by Noah Gardner and Ryan Parrot with art by John J. Pearson with Lola Bonato (Image Comics, February 2024)
This debut issue shows a lot of promise, enough to make me want to see more. The story reminds me of the HBO series SUCCESSION, and to call this “succession within Satan’s family” is on point. The dark and intriguing art reminds me of the style featured in DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH. (No wonder there - it’s the same artist.)
SNYOPSIS:
Abraham "Abe" Morgenstern, the son of Satan, has one month to live. Before he dies, he must decide which of his three wayward children - - volatile narcissist Nero, conflicted field operative Jackal, or troubled schoolgirl Bee - - will inherit his shadowy empire. But will Abe ever be able to truly cede control of the Apocalypse? Or does the Antichrist have something else up his sleeve...
Writers Ryan Parrott (Rogue Sun, Power Rangers) and WGA Award nominee Noah Gardner are joined by Eisner Award-winning artist John Pearson (The Department of Truth, Blue In Green) for an epic tale about family.
The issue opens with a flashback to 1945, and the birth in a barn to Abe, the product of a demon’s genes and a human mother. He is immediately taken away by a group of horrific demons, servants of the new dark prince who continue to advise him in the present.
Seventy-nine years later and Abe has never met his father, and after getting his doctor’s latest prognosis, realizes he must decide on who to pass his legacy and holdings onto.
The rest of the issue introduces his heirs, all of them as far from normal and professional as you may suspect, and involved in some questionable enterprises. We also get a peek at the archangels and what counter-moves the opposition may be contemplating.
I like the dry, wry humor and want to know what happens next, Not completely sold, but I’m definitely interested. THREE AND THREE-QUARTER STARS.
#145 KILL MORE #1 by Scott Bryan Wilson and Max Alan Fuchs (IDW Publishing, September 2023) The fictional city of Colonia is in serious decline: the economy is tanking, unemployment is high, urban decay, and a shrinking police force due to lack of funds, followed by apathy among the troops. The only thing on the rise is the murder rate. Serial killers across the country are attracted to Colonia and move here to take advantage of ineffective and weakened law enforcement. Only two cops are dedicated enough to investigate the backlog of open cases, which will eventually make them targets of the killers.
This is dark, gritty, and gruesome. There are quite a few serial killers introduced in the first issue, all with wacky taglines and methods. By the end of the issue, I became a little numb to it. While Issue #1 attracted me since I like crime comics and the art is really gripping, I don’t see this holding my attention for its’ planned ten-issue run,
But, the criminals are so off-the-wall that I may want to check back to see what else the creators can come up with. This issue meet Ethel, the granny on the cover who likes to run over victims with her car; the Giraffe, the most interesting, as he won’t shut up and shares all his dirty deeds; Lady Facesmasher looking like a pro wrester; and The Sufferer who cries for his victims as he snaps their necks. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#146 UNDERHEIST #1 Written by Maria and David Lapham with art by David Lapham (Boom! Studios, December 2023) Synopsis:
“After his gambling addiction brings David to the lowest point in his life and decimates his personal life, he'd do anything for one last chance at setting things right but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
He may just be in luck-if he can call it that; the grapevine yields illicit fruit as he learns of a heist, one involving a tunnel system that no one knows better than former NYC subway veteran David...
In this brand new hardboiled heist series with a supernatural horror twist perfect for fans of Phantom Road and Newburn . . . . .”
Had I not missed the advance notices for this series, I might have subscribed to it solely based on the reputation of David Lapham. In my opinion, he’s a clever crime comics writer who dives deep into the psychological make-up of his characters and the consequences of their actions. His writing has always been several levels above his art, which is rather simplistic but often effective. After reading Issue #1, I’m glad I didn’t commit to this one.
While the next issue and beyond might lead to the kind of character introspection and angst I’ve come to appreciate from Latham, Issue #1 sticks to the set-up and introduces the conflict in the final pages, but just seems too familiar. Even that mention of a supernatural horror twist in the synopsis doesn’t heighten my curiosity. In fact, it seems out of place based on what happened so far, and would change the direction of the storyline in a way I don’t think will benefit it. Just like other writers, the name alone no longer guarantees an excellent read. Everybody has an off day now and then. THREE STARS.
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