MY WEEK IN COMICS - - - for the week ending July 20 . . . . .
#441 = SISTERHOOD (A HYDE STREET STORY) #1 by Maytal Zchut and Leila Leiz (Image Comics/Ghost Machine, July 2025)
The revenge theme is a familiar one in story-telling, whether in print or visual or audio. I’ve read and viewed and heard enough of them that I don’t feel it necessary for more. Yet, I’m going to stay with this one a little longer because I’ve really enjoyed the HYDE STREET stories, and I also admire the simple yet evocative art style of Leila Leiz.
From the credits page: “Sometimes, a friend is the one who helps you hide the body. But on Hyde Street, that kind of loyalty can dig a grave too deep to climb out of. This is a tale of secrets kept, lines crossed, and the things we do in the name of . . . . Sisterhood.”
Sophie and Violet were middle-school friends when a tragic accident brought them even closer together, establishing a bond that would be hard to break. Until, they both enrolled in the same college and became room-mates. Violet (of the undeclared major) became involved in a sorority while Sophie (double major) became dedicated to her studies.
When Violet dies mysteriously during pledge night, Sophie suspects a cover-up. She visits a psychic (on Hyde Street, where else?) and unwittingly enters into a covenant with the Sister-Hood sooth-sayer. THREE AND THREE-QUARTER STARS.
#442 = CRITICAL ROLE: THE MIGHTY NEIN / BLACK HAMMER FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2025 (Dark Horse Comics, May 2025) Two popular long-running Dark Horse series get a spotlight here, with a mini-summary of sorts on both titles. Those unfamiliar and interested in checking out either series should seek this out. In addition to the original short stories here, there are full-page checklists of the essential trade paperbacks and reading order.
CRITICIAL ROLE began as a streaming web series with American voice actors playing a Dungeons and Dragon campaign. That first campaign, which lasted two years, spun off into an Amazon Prime animated series, The Legend of Vox Machina (of which I am familiar, and enjoy it). Dark Horse started publishing Critical Role comics in 2017, with the first series based on a Vox Machina prequel. The Mighty Nein was the second campaign of the web series, and has also spawned a comics series (and an animated version in the works).
In “The Mighty Nein: Acquired Taste” by Sam Maggs and Leonardo Cinco, two unidentified members of the Nein attend a dinner theater presentation in order to get vital map directions from a member of the cast. The stage presentation is a singing version of “The Tale of Vox Machinight!” (sic). Amusing.
BLACK HAMMER was a Jeff Lemire-created series launched in 2017 with seven super-heroes trapped in a Twilight Zone-like town trying to recover their memories. It has gone on through multiple iterations, spawning a super-hero universe that rivals Marvel and DC.
In “Black Hammer: To Tomorrow!” by Jeff Lemire and Letizia Cadonici - Colonel Weird is tasked with cataloging the past of Black Hammer and (perhaps for the first time) putting events in chronological order, beginning with the Pulp Age to The Lost Age (where the 2017 title began). It all leads up to more stories and a new era, hinting at another series to come. For the curious, you only need to pick up 19 trade paperbacks or 4 omnibus to catch up to all this.Admittedly, that’s a lot less than trying to cover the entire Marvel or DC universes. THREE STARS total.
#445-#448 = CALAVERA, P.I. #1-#4 of 4 written, illustrated and colored by Marco Finnegan (Oni Press, November 2024-February 2025)
Calavera is a resurrected former private investigator in 1930 Los Angeles, a skeleton in a trench coat and wearing a hat.
He befriends a female crime reporter for the local newspaper, who witnesses his eventual demise while trying to break up a suicide attempt. She is blackmailed into performing the ritual that allows him to rise from the grave.
This is atmospheric, evoking memories of Raymond Chandler’s 1920’s-1930’s Hollywood as observed by his detective Phillip Marlowe. Colors, shading, and images all work together to create the mood. It’s a one person show - - written, illustrated and colored by Marco Finnegan.
The overall feel of the story and art is classic noir, with pulpy aspects. Finnegan manages to insert some Los Angeles history into the proceedings, specifically the 1930's treatment of immigrants and abusive deportation efforts - - a bit reflective of current events.
The story takes a definite supernatural turn as it develops, and that helps keep this from being a typical pulp detective pastiche. A noble effort, with the door left open for more. THREE AND ONE-QUARTER STARS.
#449-#453 = PHANTOM ROAD #1-#5 by Jeff Lemire and Gabriel H. Walta (Image Comics, March-July 2023) Check out this wild elevator pitch/synopsis:
Mad Max: Fury Road meets The Sandman in this high-octane adventure wrapped in a dark fantasy aesthetic.
Dom is a long-haul truck driver attempting to stay ahead of his tragic past. When he stops one night to assist Birdie, who has been in a massive car crash, they pull an artifact from the wreckage that throws their lives into fifth gear. Suddenly, a typical midnight run has become a frantic journey through a surreal world where Dom and Birdie find themselves the quarry of strange and impossible monsters.
It's grindhouse horror meets high-concept supernatural fantasy . . .
PHANTOM ROAD might have been just another spooky book, but Lemire’s story and Walta’s expressive art elevate it to another level. Lemire builds on the foundation of the first issue and layers on additional quirky and strange elements to keep readers guessing. This is the kind of weirdness that gets my attention and engages me. I have to know more. I get the feeling this first story arc is just the tip of the iceberg.
This is just as much about the loneliness and isolation of long haul truck drivers and the effect on their personalities and family relationships as it is about some weird alien beings messing with any travelers who find themselves on a strange weather-beaten and ravaged desert highway. Symbolic? Perhaps. The truck driver’s resolution at the end of the debut issue is a bit disturbing.
Before the first book concludes we've seen roadside diners that serve as gateways to other desolate worlds (highways and desert mostly), a weird artifact that looks like driftwood but conceals something vitally important and sought after, those weird alien beings (just begging to get their faces smashed in), an FBI agent in over her head, a government conspiracy, a strange man in a Hawaiian shirt playing both sides against each other, and a diner mascot suddenly coming to life.
There's a lot to hold your attention here. Plus the art is revealing and makes maximum use of panel size and point-of-view.
I have to know what comes next. It won't be long before I crack open Volume Two. FOUR STARS.
#454-#459 = THE MAGIC ORDER 3, #1-#6 of 6 by Mark Millar and Gigi Cavenago (Image Comics, July-December 2022)
The back cover advertisement on Issue #1 of MAGIC ORDER, VOLUME 3 states: "There's a reason you've never seen a ghost . . . . . it's called THE MAGIC ORDER.
Five families of wizards from all around the world, living among us as teachers and paramedics, cab drivers and checkout assistants. By day they hold down regular jobs. By night they secretly protect us from what's lurking under our beds."
That, in a nutshell, is the premise behind this series - - and what attracted me to the first volume: a secret order of select families that protect Earth from various threats through the utilization of magical abilities and spells. Their lifelong mission is to keep a dangerous spell book from getting into the wrong hands and ending the world.
Volume One was about the internal battles between several family members to gain possession of the book. The fascinating characters and compelling story were enhanced by the amazing art of Olivier Copiel, whose ability to convey various emotions through facial expressions and body language is brilliant, as well as his high-powered action scenes.
Stuart Immonen took over on art for Volume Two, and did an equally great job. Volume Two introduced new characters and new settings, with the main conflict being an Eastern European family of magicians/warlocks/wizards intent on stealing artifacts from The Magic Order and using them to resurrect a Lovecraftian behemoth. Cordelia (my favorite character) and the London chapter were successful in beating down the threat.
Volume Three has not received as many favorable reviews as the other chapters, perhaps because of its' differences. Gigi Cavenago is the new artist, and the work is not equal to Copiel and Immonen. It's a different style that has its merits and moments, but seems more suited to science-fiction fare. The color choices and shading are also odd for some of the scenes.
There's also not a central plot or conflict in Volume Three and no world-wide threats that the family has to suppress. It's much more episodic with side stories, all focused on internal conflicts within the family, discovery, and then discipline. In many places, it feels like a set-up for Volume Four.
Talk about a dysfunctional family! The storylines involve deception, theft, back-stabbing, misuse of magic for personal gain, politics, manipulation, betrayal, and a budding internal threat that promises to reach bloom in the next volume. Cordelia is still my favorite, although we see how cruelly impartial and decisive she can be when it involves family members breaking the rules.
I actually enjoyed all the conflicts. I had put off reading Volume Three, wondering if it would just be a rehash of Volumes One and Two, with similar threats/conflicts - just in new dressings. Now, I'll need to grab my issues of Volume Four and get to this much sooner. I've decided to see this one through. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
NEVER FLINCH by Stephen King (Scribner, May 27, 2025) Hardcover, 448 pages. ISBN # 9781668089330 Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . . .
From master storyteller Stephen King comes an extraordinary new novel with intertwining storylines—one about a killer on a diabolical revenge mission, and another about a vigilante targeting a feminist celebrity speaker—featuring the beloved Holly Gibney and a dynamic new cast of characters.
When the Buckeye City Police Department receives a disturbing letter from a person threatening to “kill thirteen innocents and one guilty” in “an act of atonement for the needless death of an innocent man,” Detective Izzy Jaynes has no idea what to think. Are fourteen citizens about to be slaughtered in an unhinged act of retribution? As the investigation unfolds, Izzy realizes that the letter writer is deadly serious, and she turns to her friend Holly Gibney for help.
Meanwhile, controversial and outspoken women’s rights activist Kate McKay is embarking on a multi-state lecture tour, drawing packed venues of both fans and detractors. Someone who vehemently opposes Kate’s message of female empowerment is targeting her and disrupting her events. At first, no one is hurt, but the stalker is growing bolder, and Holly is hired to be Kate’s bodyguard—a challenging task with a headstrong employer and a determined adversary driven by wrath and his belief in his own righteousness.
Featuring a riveting cast of characters both old and new, including world-famous gospel singer Sista Bessie and an unforgettable villain addicted to murder, these twinned narratives converge in a chilling and spectacular conclusion—a feat of storytelling only Stephen King could pull off.
Thrilling, wildly fun, and outrageously engrossing, Never Flinch is one of King’s richest and most propulsive novels.
My Four-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .
While I did not enjoy this as much as HOLLY, the previous Holly Gibney novel, this is another great example of King's ability to write crime fiction almost equal to his horror fiction as well as his ability to create memorable characters. Since King is such an accomplished story-teller, it's nearly impossible not to find something to like in his novels.
There are several new characters to appreciate here, as well as some well-defined and disturbing antagonists. NEVER FLINCH has overlapping storylines and it's a blast to see how King links everything together. The conclusion is not as dramatic as some might expect but is very satisfying nonetheless. Here's hoping there are more Holly Gibney stories in the future.
I started reading this with the Nightmares & Dreamscapes group on the Goodreads website.
NOTES
JULY 02
Started reading yesterday. Now at Page 79.
Like most King novels, it didn't take me long at all to become immersed in the story.
King is always great at characterization, and these are familiar characters so it happened even faster for me. I love Holly, and it sure feels like King does too.
One of the things I have noted about his books is that even though NEVER FLINCH is told in third person - it always feels like a narrator is speaking directly to me. A master storyteller.
JULY 03
Now at Page 115:
With the exception of THE OUTSIDER, I don't really consider the Holly Gibney novels to be horror (MR. MERCEDES, HOLLY- haven't read the other ones). Same with NEVER FLINCH, at least so far.
To me, they are riveting crime novels, another genre that King is really good at because of his incredible way with depicting characters.
I like that NEVER FLINCH contains two different crimes/perpetrators to be solved/apprehended. That reminds me of many of Michael Connelly's Bosch novels. These keep me reading for the same reasons.
JULY 15
There are numerous and clever little hints and foreshadowing throughout this novel. I won't share them and spoil it; but I'm having fun detecting them.
There's an ironic twist on Page 318 that destroys any possible endings that I can guess/imagine. I'm excited to see how King wraps this up. Loving so many of these characters, and beginning to worry for several of them.
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New Bedford, MA – July 16, 2025) The Sweetest Comic Con on Earth, the Hershey Comic Con, will host the annual Inkwell Awards ceremony, set to take place on July 19th, 2025. This will be their second hosted show for the non-profit organization following the pandemic. In advance of that, Inkwell founder & director Bob Almond is announcing three new ambassadors as the 17th season comes to a close: fan-favorite writer Gail Simone, modern master Dan Panosian and the multi-talented Bill Morrison. “We try to invite the high profile, all around great talents in our community to join our prestigious roster“, Bob stated. “Many think this role would include all ink artists or artists in general when in fact that’s not the case. We want to display solidarity for the mission of promoting and educating about the artform and its artists, from all talents and skill sets, not just the converted. Their recognition, reputation and endorsement help the Inkwell with exposure, credibility and, ultimately, fundraising, their lifeblood.”
Dan Panosian is a comic book artist with extensive credits as both a penciller and an inker as well as additional credits as an advertising and storyboard artist. Circa 1990, he was working for Continuity Studios and Marvel Comics and became a prolific inker on the X-Men line of titles, among others. He was offered and took on work from Image Comics after they established themselves. Since then, he has focused on more solo interior rendering with his pencils, inks and colors, including as a cover artist and has expanded to more concept developing and writing. Panosian has also done work for Dark Horse Comics, Boom! Studios, and Dynamite Entertainment. He illustrated a series of graphic novels for Le Lombard called John Tiffany. For the Inkwells, he designed their treasured logo in late 2007 and has acted as Keynote Speaker for their first live awards ceremony at Heroes Con 2011 and was brought back to act as Presenter for their last hosted ceremony there in 2018.
Bill Morrison has spent his career as an artist and writer working with the most iconic characters in popular culture, including Mickey Mouse, The Simpsons, Alfred E. Neuman, and The Beatles. Morrison began his career painting movie posters, including many for Walt Disney, such as The Little Mermaid, Bambi, Cinderella, and The Jungle Book. Bill has also spent several years drawing The Simpsons for all kinds of merchandise, and writing, drawing and editing The Simpsons and Futurama comics and books for Bongo Entertainment. He was also Art Director on the Futurama TV series and character artist on the Netflix series Disenchantment. In recent years, Morrison wrote and drew a graphic novel adaptation of The Beatles Yellow Submarine, and was Editor-in-Chief of MAD Magazine. Morrison currently operates a bustling freelance studio and teaches classes in various aspects of animation and comic book art at his alma mater, the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.
These new ambassador creators are the first to be added to the lineup since Dan DiDio in 2022. Their full full statements can be found at the Inkwell Awards site’s Ambassadors page. (At press time, Dan was in Greece and not able to turn in his statement.) Public voting took place last spring March 23 until April 6. The awards ceremony at Hershey Comic Con will take place Saturday, July 19 from 6-8pm at the Great American Grill with various show guests in attendance. Hosted by promoter Joe Figured, it will be MC’d by Almond with the multi-award-winning artist/teacher Scott Hanna acting as Presenter of the ballot award categories and Mark Sinnott acting as Presenter of the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Awards after his late father, Joltin’ Joe Sinnott. There will also be a live, surprise guest to speak on one of the Hall of Fame recipients and a surprise, honorary award announced for a living legend as well as a 15th anniversary celebration of the non-profit’s spokesmodel character, Ms. Inkwell, with all three active spokesmodels in attendance.
The Inkwell Awards is the only official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and educate regarding the art form of comic-book inking, as well as annually recognize the best ink artists and their work. Established in 2008, the Inkwells are overseen by a volunteer committee of industry professionals and assisted by various professional ambassadors and contributors. They sponsor the Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Kubert School and host the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award. Their annual awards ceremony host is the Hershey Comic Con since 2024.
THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey (Orbit Books, January 2014) Paperback, 405 pages.
Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .
NOT EVERY GIFT IS A BLESSING.
Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her "our little genius."
Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.
Melanie loves school. She loves learning about spelling and sums and the world outside the classroom and the children's cells. She tells her favorite teacher all the things she'll do when she grows up. Melanie doesn't know why this makes Miss Justineau look sad.
The Girl With All the Gifts is a groundbreaking thriller, emotionally charged and gripping from beginning to end.
My Four-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .
If you crave zombie-flavored horror fiction, there are numerous choices out there. However, when you start looking for those with a different feel, or a different take on the genre - - the choices narrow, and rightly so. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS is right up there with the best zombie novels of all time.
Also, I'm only calling this a zombie novel for easy summary. That one word conveys a lot and avoids unnecessary description. At no point does Carey use the word zombie - - the victims of the plague (another convenient word) are "hungries" (very apt).
Beyond the science-fiction, beyond the horror, beyond the classic road/journey theme, is a heart-warming and tender story about the familial bond between teacher and student - - and that is what sets this apart and makes the story work so well for me.
It's also heart-breaking because of what occurs during that journey as well as the way things conclude - - somewhat open-ended and subject to interpretation (optimistic versus pessimistic). Nevertheless, it's a journey worth taking.
In Carey's version of an invasion that creates an apocalypse he turns to a mutant variety of the Cordyceps fungus, whose spores invade the systems of foraging ants in the South American rainforests. This form of the fungus, dubbed Ophiocordyceps invades the human body and turns it cannabalistic. Coincidentally, THE LAST OF US video game also used a fungus invasion as the cause of their zombie plague. The game preceded the novel by one year, although I'm not certain that either creator was aware of what the other was working on.
The way Carey narrates the story, you can pick this up from various perspectives. Read a little at a time and immerse yourself in the featured character's point of view. Sometimes I put it down after finishing a particular character arc or chapter. It leaves a deeper impression. I'm often placing myself in various character's heads, and wondering what I might do or react in similar situations
Chillling. Suspenseful. Frightening. Thought-provoking. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS is tense and absorbing.
