TRASH IN MY EYE Reviews: Comics Review

Showing posts with label Comics Review. Show all posts

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Comics Review: "THE MAGIC ORDER V #5" Fights for Itself

THE MAGIC ORDER 5 #5 (OF 6)

DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Matteo Buffagni

COLORS: Giovanna Niro with Laura Ciondolini

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Matteo Buffagni with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Matteo Buffagni

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2025)

Rating: 18+

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix

“The Death of Cordelia Moonstone”

The Magic Order 5 is a six-issue miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Matteo Buffagni. This is the fifth installment of The Magic Order series, which began with the 2018-19 miniseries written by Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel. The Magic Order is a band of sorcerers, magicians, and wizards – with a focus on the Moonstone family and its leader, Cordelia Moonstone – that live ordinary lives by day, but protect humanity from darkness and monsters of impossible sizes by night. Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series creative team.

The Magic Order 5 finds Cordelia preparing for her death – the punishment for using black magic (back in Volume 1). However, a new case has dropped itself in front of her, but it all may be a front for some really bad people trying to collect the price on Cordelia's head. Cordelia Moonstone is going to die soon... and there's nothing she can do about it. The end is coming in a matter of days.

The Magic Order 5 #5 opens in The Magic Order's new headquarters in Chicago. There, Clyde Bailey (the wizard who ended up with three demons inside him) and ten other wizards will try to save Cordelia from an assassination attempt by the magical world's most attractive bounty hunter. She has been sent by her mother, Sister Moon, at the behest of “the Fellowship of the Bell.”

Led by Grandmaster Samuel Mott, this splinter group has finally come into possession of the “Bell” that will summon the Fellowship's ancient gods. And Mott does not want Cordelia in his way. Cordelia has escaped death countless times, but who is going to save the master escape artist this time? Or will she have to save herself?

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics. The latest received is The Magic Order V #5.

It is possible for each issue of The Magic Order 5 to be crazier than the previous issue, and I know that because issue #4 was nuttier than issue #3. Issue #5 decides that instead of being crazy, it's simply going to toss up a hook shot of a revelation. The Magic Order, which has always been slickly produced, offers fight comics fun, as writer Mark Millar prepares for the big finale next issue.

Line by line, artist Matteo Buffagni has created in The Magic Order V a world of such fearsome darkness, treacherous magic, and magical treachery that mesmerizes the reader. However, Buffagni can also make explosions that bring a kind of action movie mania to this series, which he does this time. The glorious hues of Giovanna Niro turn this chapter into a symphony of pyrotechnics and thrilling chases. As always, Clem Robins uses his lettering to create a soundtrack of destruction.

The Magic Order 5 is plotting something mind-bending; that I know, dear readers. Don't miss the twenty-first century's best American comic book about wizards and sorcerers. It's a shame that this is supposedly the final entry in the series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order 5.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://twitter.com/themagicorder

http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://www.darkhorse.com/

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Friday, February 28, 2025

Comics Review: "NIGHT CLUB II #6" and the Vampire Showdown

NIGHT CLUB II #6 (OF 6)

DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Juanan Ramírez

COLORS: Fabiana Mascolo

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

COVER: Juanan Ramírez with Fabiana Mascolo

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Juanan Ramirez

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2025)

Rating: 18+

Night Club created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Night Club II is a six-issue miniseries written and created by Mark Millar and drawn by Juanan Ramírez. A Dark Horse Comics publication and a Netflix production, Night Club II is a sequel to the 2023 miniseries, Night Club. Both series focus on a teen boy who is bitten by a vampire and decides to make the best of his new condition. Colorist Fabiana Mascolo and letterer Clem Robins complete Night Club II's creative team.

Night Club II focuses on 17-year-old Danny Garcia. After being turned into a vampire, he passed his new found powers unto his friends, DJ Sam Huxley and Amy Chen. Now, they're the superheroes: Starguard (Danny), Thundercloud (Sam), and Yellowbird (Amy). But jealousy has broken up this vampire-superhero trio and opened the door to a disaster of newer, more nihilistic and narcissistic vampires.

Night Club II #6 opens with the reconciliation of Danny, Sam, and Amy. But now, it's time for this trio to settle the war with Risso, Kendra, and their vampire gang. The problem is that the gang may be a wee bit larger than our heroes think it is.

In this shocking conclusion to the second volume, heroes are dead and villains are triumphant. One thing about vampire stories, however, is that even the coldest and most rotting corpses might not stay dead for long.

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics. The latest received is Night Club II #6.

Mark Millar closes out Night Club II with a bang, and though it is full of blood and gore, Issue #6 closes out the series with a sly grin. This issue may be the most humor-infused yet, or perhaps, I'm interpreting a sense of humor that really isn't there. Still, Millar says goodbye-for-now to the series with another surprise... because that is the way it should be.

Artist Juanan Ramírez has built this narrative on capturing the reckless nature of young people with too much power, regardless of whether this power is natural or supernatural and criminal or evil. Ramirez's storytelling depicts the joy of victory with a wink and smile from start to finish. Night Club jumps off the page thanks to colorist Fabiana Mascolo funky and flashy colors. Clem Robins' lettering, as always, is a perfect accompaniment – a musical interlude of fury and funny.

Night Club II does not disappoint, dear readers. Be on the lookout for the trade collection.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and of vampire comic books will want to be bitten by Night Club II.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://x.com/mrmarkmillar

https://x.com/netflix

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://www.darkhorse.com/

https://x.com/darkhorsecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/darkhorsecomics/

https://www.instagram.com/DarkHorseComics/

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Sunday, February 23, 2025

Comics Review: "SPACE GHOST #8" Puts Mustard on the Beat

SPACE GHOST VOL. 1 #8

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Pepose

ART: Jonathan Lau

COLORS: Andrew Dalhouse

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Francesco Mattina

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Bjorn Barends; Anthony Marques and Fran Crivelli with Nick Caponi; Francesco Mattina; Jae Lee; Jonathan Lau;

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2024)

Rated “Teen”

The Reckoning of Metallus!”

Space Ghost is a superhero character created by the American animation studio and production company, Hanna-Barbera Productions. The character first appeared in the Saturday morning cartoon series, “Space Ghost,” which was originally broadcast on CBS from September 1966 to September 1967 for 20 episodes.

In his original incarnation, Space Ghost was a superhero whose base of operations was a small world known as “Ghost Planet.” He fought super-villains in outer space with his teen sidekicks, Jan and Jace, and their monkey, Blip. His main weapons were power bands he wore around his wrists and lower arms; the bands fired off multiple energy beam-based attacks, including heat, cold, and force, to name a few. Space Ghost could also fly, survive in space, and turn invisible (his “Inviso Power”). He also had a space ship known as “the Phantom Cruiser.”

Space Ghost sporadically appeared in various comic book publications over a fifty year period. Dynamite Entertainment has just launched a new Space Ghost comic book as part of its licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Entitled Space Ghost Volume 1, it is written by David Pepose; drawn by Jonathan Lau; colored by Andrew Dalhouse; and lettered by Taylor Esposito. In the new series, twins Jan and Jace Keplar and their pet monkey, Blip, meet that legendary cosmic vigilante known as “the Space Ghost.”

Space Ghost Volume One #8 (The Reckoning of Metallus!”) opens in the past on the Planet Vector. Before there was the Space Ghost, there was the loving husband and father, Dax. Then, General Metallus destroyed it all.

Present day: Space Ghost and Jan and Jace answer a distress call from the “Starship Ulysses.” Much to Space Ghost's shock, the past has returned not only to haunt him, but also to destroy him. Can Jan and Jace rescue Space Ghost? Can they save themselves from the shocking secrets behind their mentor's tragic history?

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. Space Ghost #8, Volume One, however, is not the latest issue that I received because I bought my own copy this time.

Having bought my own personal copy, I am finally free to say what I really feel about Dynamite's new Space Ghost comic book. I don't have to feel obligated to say good things in order to show my appreciation to Dynamite for gifting me a complementary PDF copy of this comic book...

… But girl, I love the heck outta Space Ghost #8, just as much as I've loved the other issues of this fan-frickin-tastic series. Free PDF or paid copy: the quality is always high.

Writer David Pepose … I don't know what to say anymore. He is writing a really good comic book. People are always looking for good comics. If I told you that Space Ghost was titled Absolute Space Ghost or Ultimate Space Ghost or One World Under Space Ghost or Dark Metal Space Ghost or Crisis on Infinite Ghost Planets or Taylor Swift Presents Jan and Jace... would you then believe me that Pepose is writing one of the most entertaining comic book currently awaiting you in comics shops? I might be wrong, but you, dear readers wouldn't think that I was wrong if you tried even just one issue.

Artist Jonathan Lau continues to turn Pepose's story into powerful and effective comic book storytelling. Lau brings the pain to Space Ghost's conflict with Metallus. He presents it on a big canvas in a way that convinces the reader that our hero is deep in the shit when it comes to being in trouble. Nothing Lau does is regular; his art leaps off the page and is always in the reader's face.

Andrew Dalhouse's lovely colors burn up this story and has this entire chapter feeling like everything is falling apart, which it is... for our heroes. Letterer Taylor Esposito throws gasoline on the fire, as if he finally has an opportunity to create explosions like a mad bomber.

I'm having a blast reading Space Ghost Volume One, dear readers. I want this enjoyment for you, too. This Space Ghost is super, man.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series will want to read Space Ghost Volume One.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://x.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Saturday, February 22, 2025

Comics Review: "SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #132" Brings Disorder in the Court

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) #132

DC COMICS

STORY: Sholly Fisch

PENCILS: Randy Elliot; Robert Pope

INKS: Randy Elliot; Scott McRae

COLORS: Silvana Brys; Jason Lewis

LETTERS: Saida Temofonte

EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Alex Antone (reprint)

COVER: Randy Elliot with Silvana Brys

32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2025)

Ages 8+

“Trial and Error”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010. I continue to renew my subscription so that I can continue to review this series for you, dear readers.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #132 opens with “Trial and Error,” which is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Randy Elliot. The story finds Mystery Inc.: Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma at the county courthouse. Why are they there?

The gang are witnesses for the prosecution in the trial of the crooked real estate developer, “Ethical” Ed Morrissey, who pretended to be an “alien gorilla” as part of his real estate scams. The problem is that a trio ghosts: a judge, a prosecutor, and bailiff, has appeared, and these apparitions are determined to put our favorite ghost-hunting detectives on trial. And the punishment is being sent down the River Styx.

As usual, the second story, “Go for Broke,” is a reprint story. It is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Robert Pope (pencils) and Scott McRae (inks). [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You #31 (cover date: May 2013).] The story opens at Bunny's ski lodge where a ghost on skis is terrorizing and, in some cases, even hurting the lodge's guests. Now, it's time for Mystery Inc. to get involved, but the last time they tangled with that ghost, they all ended up with broken legs!

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #132 offers as a theme scheming ghosts. For me, however, the best part is that this issue offers the work of some of my favorite Scooby-Doo artists. Randy Elliot rocks the courtroom with some traditional Scooby-Doo antics, while the art team of Robert Pope and Scott McRae dazzle (as always) with a mystery that is staged in a traditional Scooby-Doo setting, the haunted ski lodge.

Writer Sholly Fisch anchors this issue with two imaginative tales. Stalwart Scooby-Doo comics colorist, Silvana Brys, delivers the goods, as usual, while colorist Jason Lewis dazzles in the reprint story, “Go for Broke.” Letterer Saida Temofonte is perfect for Scooby-Doo.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #132 is as enjoyable as Issue #131 was, so hopefully, this is the start of a good run in the series. So grab your “Scooby Snacks” and read this issue, and maybe watch a Scooby-Doo movie, later. And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the DC Comics original graphic novel, “Primer: Clashing Colors” by Jennifer Muro & Thomas Krajewski and Gretel Lusky.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.dccomics.com/

https://x.com/DCComics

https://www.facebook.com/dccomics

https://www.youtube.com/user/DCEntertainmentTV

https://www.pinterest.com/dccomics/

https://www.periscope.tv/DCComics/1ZkKzezXwZdxv

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Thursday, February 20, 2025

Comics Review: "JONNY QUEST #5" and the Cross-Temporal Boogie-Woogie

JONNY QUEST VOL. 1 #5

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Joe Casey

ART: Sebastián Piriz

COLORS: Lorenzo Scaramella

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Matt Idelson

COVER: Chad Hardin with Chuck Obach

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Richard Pace; Anthony Marques; Chad Hardin with Chuck Obach; Jae Lee; Chad Hardin

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2024)

Rated “Teen”

Jonny Quest created by Doug Wildey

“Zin Wins”

“Jonny Quest” (also known as “The Adventures of Jonny Quest”) was an animated science fiction-adventure television series. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for the television studio, Screen Gems, and was created and designed by comic book artist, Doug Wildey. The series ran for one season on ABC (September 1964 to March 1965), on prime time, for a total of 25 episodes

The series focused on a boy, Jonny Quest, who accompanied his scientist father, Dr. Benton Quest, on extraordinary adventures. The other members of what came to be known as “Team Quest” were Jonny's adopted brother, Hadji Singh; the Quest family bodyguard, Roger “Race” Bannon; and Jonny's pet bulldog, Bandit.

Over the decades, there have been comic books featuring Jonny Quest. The latest is Jonny Quest Volume 1, which is part of Dynamite Entertainment's recent licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery. The series is written by Joe Casey; drawn by Sebastian Piriz; colored by Lorenzo Scaramella; and lettered by Taylor Esposito. In the new adventure, Team Quest has been transported from the year 1964 to the present day where they meet 71 year-old Jonathan Quest and begin a... quest to return to their own time.

Jonny Quest Volume 1 #5 opens aboard Dr. Zin's airborne carrier craft. Jonny's boy-out-of-time adventure comes to an explosive end as he and Team Quest take on Dr. Zin one last time. If they can bring their old enemy down, how will they ever be able to return home? And even if they do find a way home, will they be able to resist the urge to use the “Quantum Counter” and their knowledge of what is to come to change history?

Do the Jonny Quests of two eras have an answer to these questions? Or will they have to rely on another octogenarian member of the Quest family... or another member of the Jade family?

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. Jonny Quest, Volume 1, Issue 5 is one of the titles that I received.

Writer Joe Casey wraps up his first Jonny Quest arc with a bang. The best thing about this story line is that its ending is ambiguous and filled with a sense of mystery and of the unknown. Casey offers this: anything can happen, or nothing can happen. Or it can all happen all over again.

Artist Sebastian Piriz's storytelling is true to the spirit of the original Jonny Quest TV series, in terms of art, storytelling, and aesthetic. Piriz's clean, modern style sets a mood that makes this entire arc seem lost in time and buried in ambiguity. The coloring by Scaramella sheds light on the sense of mystery without revealing it. Even the lettering by Taylor Esposito summons an old school cool vibe that also radiates a timeless sensibility.

Jonny Quest Volume 1 #5 is filled with as many surprises as prior issues were. I hope you get to read this, dear readers, even if you wait for the trade collection.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series and of Jonny Quest will want to read Jonny Quest, Volume 1.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://x.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Monday, February 17, 2025

Comics Review: Disney's "ZOOTOPIA #2" Finds Treasure in Trash

ZOOTOPIA: VOL. 1 #2

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Jeff Parker

ART: Alessandro Ranaldi

COLORS: Dearbhla Kelly

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Nate Cosby

COVER: Trish Forstner

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Alessandro Ranaldi; Craig Rousseau; Trish Forstner

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2025)

Rated “Teen”

“Dump-Da-Dump-Dump!”

Zootopia is a 2016 animated buddy-cop comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Zootopia is set in a world of anthropomorphic animals (animals that talk and act like humans). The film follows a rabbit named Judy Hopps, who is rookie police officer, and a fox named Nick Wilde, who is a con artist. Judy and Nick end up working together to uncover a conspiracy involving the disappearance of predators. At the end of the film, Nick graduates from the police academy and becomes Judy's partner.

Dynamite Entertainment has been producing licensed comic books based on Disney characters and IP since 2022. The latest is a Zootopia comic book series, entitled Zootopia: Volume 1. It is written by Jeff Parker; drawn by Alessandro Ranaldi; colored by Dearbhla Kelly; and lettered Jeff Eckleberry. The series continues the adventures of Judy and Nick and is set after the events of the original film.

Zootopia: Volume 1 #2 (“Dump-Da-Dump-Dump!”) opens in Zootopia Police Precinct 1, where Chief Bogo is handing out a refresher course. Soon, Officer Hopps and Officer Wilde are on their way to the city dump... err... Zootopia Recycling Depot. According to its manager, Skunk Flowers, someone is actually breaking into the dump and stealing only select garbage bags.

So exactly what kind of trash in those select garbage bags are raccoons and opossums hauling away? Hopps thinks she will find some connections to the PB&J phone explosions, but Wilde wonders what he and his sensitive nose is doing at the city dump.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. Zootopia: Volume 1, Issue #2 is the latest.

I passed on Walt Disney's 2016 computer-animated hit film, Zootopia, when it first played in theaters. Later, I started hearing good things about it, so I gave it a try on DVD (via Netflix). I loved it, and I'm excited about the sequel film, Zootopia 2, which is due November 2025.

My enjoyment of the film virtually assured that I was going to give Dynamite's new comic book adaptation a try. I can safely tell Zootopia fans that the fun first issue of this series was not a fluke, because Issue #2 is also a blast to read. Series writer Jeff Parker, who is quite adept at writing comic books that adapt other media, offers a surprisingly clever story that revolves around thefts from the city dump. Parker manages to keep intriguing his Zootopia readers with novel plots and conspiracies. He is giving us every reason to keep reading.

The series' artists, penciler-inker Alessandro Ranaldi and colorist Dearbhla Kelly, offer the most exciting storytelling that readers will find is also similar to the aesthetic the original film. Ranaldi's compositions hop and dash across the pages with fast-paced storytelling. Kelly's colors have the spark of Disney's animation magic and also make the story pop. As usual, Jeff Eckleberry's lettering gives this story a sense of fast motion and noisy action.

I look forward to more Zootopia Volume 1. Anyone who reads this second issue, dear readers, will feel the need to return for the third issue, at least.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Disney comic book series will want Zootopia: Volume 1.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://x.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Friday, February 14, 2025

Comics Review: "ARCHIE Valentine's Spectacular No. 1" is the Official Comic of Valentine's Day

ARCHIE VALENTINE'S SPECTACULAR #1 (2025)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Jamie Lee Rotante; Daniel Kibblesmith; Craig Boldman; George Gladir

PENCILS: Holly G!; Dan DeCarlo; Rex Lindsey

INKS: Jim Amash; Rex Lindsey; Rich Koslowski, Dan DeCarlo

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Barry Grossman

LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Rex Lindsey; Bill Yoshida; Vickie Williams

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2025) – On-sale February 5, 2025

Rating: All-Ages

“Riverdale is Where the Heart Is!”

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character. In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”

Archie Comics frequently publishes themed one-shot comic books featuring Archie's characters (sometimes referred to as “the Archie Gang”). One of them is the annual Archie Valentine's Spectacular No. 1. The 2025 edition of this comic book has one new story and three reprint stories, with one of the reprints being a two-parter. Entitled “Riverdale is Where the Heart Is!,” the new story is written by Jamie Lee Rotante; drawn by Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Archie and the Gang – featuring Hearts, Flowers, & Candy: “Riverdale is Where the Heart Is!”:

As the story opens, the Spirits of Valentine's Day: “Flowers, Hearts, & Candy,” have come to Riverdale, which they believe is “a place where love grows.” Their tour of this romance capital of the world will allow them to witness love in all its glory – from loving friends and to romantic couples. Their tour will take them from the brightest and most familiar spots to the gloomiest and most supernatural locales in Riverdale. But even in Riverdale, does everyone get a Valentine.

THE LOWDOWN: Archie Comics has been sending me PDF review copies of their titles for several years. Archie Valentine's Spectacular No.1 is the latest.

“Riverdale is Where the Heart Is!” isn't a great story so much as it is a nice story just in time for Valentine's Day. It is warm and sweet like cocoa, and its sentimental emphasis on everyone getting a treat for Valentine's Day can pull on the heartstrings. The creative team of Rotante, Holly G!, Amash, Whitmore, and Morelli deliver a charming love letter to readers.

As a bonus, one of the reprint stories is a “Betty and Veronica” tale drawn by Archie Comics' legend, the late Dan DeCarlo. Entitled, “The Trophy,” it offers a classic scenario Betty and Veronica fighting a girl (Cheryl Blossom) for Archie's attentions.

If you are like me and love classic-style Archie Comics, you will love these stories. And Archie Valentine's Spectacular is certainly for you, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want to find a copy of Archie Valentine's Spectacular No. 1.

[This comic book includes “Editor's Notebook” by Mike Pellerito, featuring art by Vincent Lavallo and Holly G!]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://archiecomics.com/

https://twitter.com/archiecomics

https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

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Monday, February 10, 2025

Comics Review: "SAVAGE TALES #1" Offers a Fab Four of Tales

SAVAGE TALES #1 (2025)

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone; Kurt Busiek

ART: Hamish Cook; Eman Casallos; Mariano Benitez Chapo; Benjamin Dewey

COLORS: Jorge Sutil

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry; Simon Bowland

COVER: Arthur Suydam

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Liam Sharp; Rafael Kayanan; Arthur Suydam

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (June 2022)

Rated Teen+

Savage Tales is the title of an anthology comic book series that has been used by both Dynamite Entertainment and Marvel Comics (twice). Dynamite recently brought its version back as a series of occasionally-published one-shots.

The 2025 edition of Savage Tales #1 has four short stories. Three of them are new stories written by David Avallone. These stories feature Gullivar of Mars (drawn by Hamish Cook); John Carter and Dejah Thoris of Mars (drawn by Eman Casallos); and Vampirella (drawn by Mariano Benitez Chapo). All of Avallone's stories are colored by Jorge Sutil and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.

The fourth entry is a Red Sonja story written by Kurt Busiek; drawn by Benjamin Dewey; and lettered by Simon Bowland. This story was originally published in Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #1 (July 2021).

I will summarize and review each story individually.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, the marketing department at Dynamite Entertainment has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. One of them is the 2025 edition of Savage Tales #1, but this is not the first time I have read a Dynamite Savage Tales comic book.

Gullivar of Mars: “His War Chapter Three” by Avallone and Cook:

Captain Gullivar Jones is based on the character, Lt. Gulllivar Jones, who first appeared in the novel, Lieut. Gullivar Jones: His Vacation, written by Edwin Lester Arnold and published in 1905. Writer David Avallone has been reworking the character over the past few years.

“His War” chronicles Jones' life since he first left Mars and eventually fought in “the Great War” (World War I). Now, Jones has returned to Mars twenty years after his original time on the planet. What he discovers is that he might be the reason for the once lush planet's sorry state, and his reunion with his beloved “Heru” (a princess of Mars) is also off to a sorry state.

Avallone has a deft touch with vintage and classic characters, and because of author Edwin Lester Arnold's influence on the science fiction sub-genre, “planetary romance,” Gullivar Jones is both vintage and classic. This may be the best chapter of Avallone's revival yet, primarily because he immediately puts Jones in a life or death situation. Hamish Cook's art and storytelling captures the edgy mood and tense action of the story's first person narration. Cook makes me wish that this story could be published as a graphic novel.

John Carter and Dejah Thoris of Mars: “A Mutiny on Mars” by Avallone and Casallos:

“A Mutiny on Mars” opens in the distant past on the planet of “Barsoom” (Mars”) and finds royal couple, John Carter and Dejah Thoris, on a scientific expedition. Instead of science, they find betrayal and a plot to kidnap John.

Avallone weaves a nice tale that will entertain those familiar with the world of Edgar Rice Burroughs' “Barsoom” series. Eman Casallos and Jorge Sutil's art and colors give this story the kind of exotic and esoteric aesthetic that at least I expect of comic book stories set in the world of Barsoom.

Vampirella: “The Real Thing” by Avallone and Chapo:

Avallone weaves a rather surprising and delightful tale featuring Vampirella, a truly classic character that often suffers from overexposure. Vampirella is working as a lowly assistant on the television series, “Draculette.” Among the production crew, there are some real doubters who are about to discover the truth about vampires. The question is whether or not Vampirella will step in to save the day or let the blood flow.

Mariano Benitez Chapo proves to be perfectly capable of turning Avallone's humorous scripts into a fun comics story that pops on the page. Avallone is really good at blending supernatural horror comics with humor comics, and Chapo's art captures the snappiness of Avallone's banter here. They'd make a good pairing on an Elvira series. As he does in the other two original stories, Jeff Eckleberry adds a stylish flair with his lettering for this story.

Red Sonja: “Seeing Red” by Busiek and Dewey:

“Seeing Red” opens in a place called the “Mountains of Night” where Red Sonja will enter a crypt as part of a deal she made with an ambitious wannabe ruler. What she's finds is certain death at the hands or claws of a creature that moves too fast for her to see. And that's got the “She-Devil with a Sword” seeing red.

I did read the 2021 Red Sonja: Black, White, Red series – every issue except the first, so “Seeing Red” is new to me. Kurt Busiek delivers a tale that reads as if it is a Conan the Barbarian tale from Marvel Comics' classic black and white magazine, The Savage Sword of Conan. Benjamin Dewey's art certainly sells this story's classic Marvel vibe with rock-solid compositions that are perfect for Red Sonja's comic book brand of sword and sorcery. As always I love the pounding vibe Simon Bowland's lettering gives this story.

If I had to reluctantly pick a favorite comics story in Savage Tales #1 (2025), it would be a difficult choice. So, I will instead suggest you get this comic book, dear readers, and decide for yourself.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of anthology comic books will want to read Savage Tales #1.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://x.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Thursday, February 6, 2025

Comics Review: "CONAN THE BARBARIAN #10" - Sails the Seas of Fate

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #10 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: Diego Rodriguez

LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Tyler of Comicraft

EDITOR: Chris Butera

COVER: Alan Quah

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: E.M. Gist; Roberto de la Torre; David Aja; Alan Quah

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2024)

Suggested for mature readers

“The Age Unconquered” Part II: “Far Shores & Fearless Men”

Conan the Cimmerian was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932). In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books via the title, Conan the Barbarian. With only a few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they launched a new Conan the Barbarian series in 2023. The current story arc is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by Dean White and Diego Rodriguez; and lettered by Richard Starkings and Comicraft. Entitled “The Age Unconquered,” this arc finds Conan's body and/or soul transported 80,000 years into the past

Conan the Barbarian #10 (“Far Shores & Fearless Men”) opens in the dreams of Kull of Atlantis (also known as “Kull the Conqueror”). Once awakened, Kull must confront the blind rage and mania that caused him to turn on his his loyal Pict fighter, Brule the Spear-slayer, and also caused him to engage Conan in fierce battle.

Conan! Kull! Brule the Spear-slayer! How can this be when tens of thousands of years separate the time of Conan from the time of Kull and Brule? Well, the result of Conan's encounter with a shard of the “Black Stone” has thrown him thousands of years into the past and has him currently located in Kull's capital, Valusia, “the City of Wonders.”

Now, Conan finds himself swept up in Kull's journey to find the source of the darkness that threatens his kingdom. Kull believes the source of the darkness is in Atlantis, the land of his birth. It will be a hard journey, however, and Conan, Kull, and Brule may find death before they reach their destination.

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #10 is one of them.

Writer Jim Zub has moved the Conan the Barbarian comic book series in a new direction. Zub has transported Conan out of “the Hyborean Age,” the age in which Conan's creator, Robert E. Howard, set his adventures. Zub has moved Conan into the past to “the Thurian Age,” the time in which Howard sets the adventures of Conan's precursor, Kull of Atlantis, another of his creations.

It is a big change, but it allows Zub to make Conan a stranger in a strange land, and that itself presents new opportunities for conflict and tension. This tenth issue quickly resolves the conflicts of issue #9 and Zub begins to hypnotize his readers with an alluring journey into darkness. Great action, great mystery, and great darkness and sorcery: Zub makes it hard to stop reading.

I must admit that artist Roberto de la Torre, with his haunted storytelling, is the big star on this creative team. Mixing elements and graphical styles of Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, and John Buscema, de la Torre guides this second chapter from the mists of lost time and gleam of shining cities into darkness, death, and sorcery. It is nice to see de la Torre recall the Conan comic books of yesteryear in telling this fantastic story, and it is nice that Diego Rodriguez's colors enrich the shadows and gloom. Richard Starking's stark lettering is the pounding audio track to this fine opening chapter.

“The Age Unconquered” may end up conquering us, dear readers, as it carries us to a new direction for Conan the Barbarian.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Kull of Atlantis: Barbarian King of an Antediluvian Empire” the tenth installment of Conan/Howard essays by Jeffrey Shanks. It also includes a Q&A with Roberto de la Torre.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://titan-comics.com/

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https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Saturday, February 1, 2025

Comics Review: "SPACE GHOST #7" Offers Meat for the Beast

SPACE GHOST VOL. 1 #7

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Pepose

ART: Jonathan Lau

COLORS: Andrew Dalhouse

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Francesco Mattina

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Bjorn Barends; Anthony Marques and Fran Crivelli with Nick Caponi; Francesco Mattina; Jae Lee; Jonathan Lau;

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2024)

Rated “Teen”

“Blip Versus the Creature King!”

Space Ghost sporadically appeared in various comic book publications over a fifty year period. Dynamite Entertainment has just launched a new Space Ghost comic book as part of its licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Entitled Space Ghost Volume One, it is written by David Pepose; drawn by Jonathan Lau; colored by Andrew Dalhouse; and lettered by Taylor Esposito. In the new series, twins Jan and Jace Keplar and their pet monkey, Blip, meet that legendary cosmic vigilante known as “the Space Ghost.”

Space Ghost Volume One #7 (“Blip Versus the Creature King!”) opens on the Planet Halcyon... and everything is in chaos. Space Ghost and Jan have been taken prisoner. Something is very wrong with Jace's mind. Our human heroes find themselves trapped on a mysterious jungle planet where they face The Creature King, who commands a host of beasts to do his nefarious bidding. Using his “Telepathic Crown,” the Creature King and his beasts will tear down the human civilization.

In our heroes' most desperate hour of need, there is only one member who can save them – Blip! And it's Blip as you've never seen him... or heard him before now.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. Space Ghost #7, Volume One, however, is not the latest issue that I received because I bought my own copy this time.

… But girl, I still love the heck outta this new Space Ghost comic book.

Writer David Pepose offers a great one-off tale with “Blip Versus the Creature King!” It is riveting to say the least, with every page making me believe that this is it – the end of our heroes. I read it like a man whose imagination has been starving for great comic books stories and finally found a great one to satisfy him. Well, me and old Mister Mind got one of the best standalone issues we've read in a long time. Cheers to Pepose.

Jonathan Lau takes Pepose's story and turns it into powerful and effective comic book storytelling. By the end of his run, Lau may end up being one of the very best Space Ghost comic book artists. Blending moody EC Comics-like atmosphere with an outer space aesthetic, Lau has created a kind of sci-fi Film-Noir that gives futuristic adventure a dark turn to a place where hope struggles to survive. Lau clearly understands that conflict still drives the drama even in the most fantastic of narrative settings and environments.

Andrew Dalhouse's lovely colors give the haunting tones of “Blip Versus the Creature King!” a rich resonance. Letterer Taylor Esposito throws gasoline on the fire to make this story burn, baby, burn, using classic comics cool to heighten the heated action.

I'm having a blast reading Space Ghost Volume One, dear readers. I want this enjoyment for you, too. This Space Ghost is super, man.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series will want to read Space Ghost Volume One.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://x.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Friday, January 31, 2025

Comics Review: "JONNY QUEST #4" is Great Free or Purchased

JONNY QUEST VOL. 1 #4

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Joe Casey

ART: Sebastián Piriz

COLORS: Lorenzo Scaramella

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Matt Idelson

COVER: Chad Hardin with Chuck Obach

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Tom Raney with Gina Going; Richard Pace; Chad Hardin with Chuck Obach; Jae Lee; Chad Hardin

28pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2024)

Rated “Teen”

Jonny Quest created by Doug Wildey

“Zin Wins”

Jonny Quest Volume 1 #4 opens in Japan at the Fukunaga Corporation. There, Jonathan Quest prepares for a bio-scan that will help him find his younger self, Jonny Quest. He has been kidnapped along with Hadji by Dr. Zin, the arch-nemesis of Team Quest. What the older half of Team Quest doesn't know is that the younger half has met Jasmine Jade, the granddaughter of the infamous “Jezebel Jade,” the mercenary-for-hire and sometimes ally of Team Quest?

Meanwhile, Dr. Zin prepares to make war.

Having bought my own personal copy, I am finally free to say what I really feel about Dynamite's new Jonny Quest comic book. I don't have to feel obligated to say good things in order to show my appreciation to Dynamite for gifting me a free PDF copy of the comic book...

...And I enjoyed reading this issue from a personal copy as much as I enjoyed reading the first three issues of this series as complimentary PDFs from Dynamite. Writer Joe Casey continues to wage war on bad comic books by creating a truly great comic book in this new Jonny Quest that always delivers the good stuff. Casey offers the most intense action yet, and while there are connections to the past, the story really emphasizes the present dangers.

Piriz's art and storytelling are true to the original Jonny Quests TV series, but both art and storytelling have a clean, modern mood that is like other recent science fiction and adventure comic books. Piriz also makes this new Jonny Quest seem fresh and alive, as if this concept really belongs in modern times. The coloring by Scaramella adds the finishing modern touch. Even the lettering by Taylor Esposito summons an old school cool vibe that also radiates a modern sensibility.

Jonny Quest Volume 1 #4 is filled with as many surprises as prior issues. So why aren't you reading this, dear readers?

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series and of Jonny Quest will want to read Jonny Quest, Volume 1.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://x.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Advanced Comics Review: "NIGHT CLUB II #5" Wakes the Dead

NIGHT CLUB II #5 (OF 6)

DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Juanan Ramírez

COLORS: Fabiana Mascolo

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

COVER: Juanan Ramírez with Fabiana Mascolo

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Juanan Ramirez

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2025)

Rating: 18+

Night Club created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Night Club II is a six-issue miniseries written and created by Mark Millar and drawn by Juanan Ramírez. A Dark Horse Comics publication and a Netflix production, Night Club II is a sequel to the 2023 miniseries, Night Club. Both series focus on a teen boy who is bitten by a vampire and decides to make the best of his new condition. Colorist Fabiana Mascolo and letterer Clem Robins complete Night Club II's creative team.

Night Club II focuses on 17-year-old Danny Garcia. After being turned into a vampire, he passed his new found powers unto his friends, DJ Sam Huxley and Amy Chen. Now, they're the superheroes: Starguard (Danny), Thundercloud (Sam), Yellowbird (Amy). But jealousy has broken up this vampire-superhero trio and opened the door to a disaster of newer, more nihilistic and narcissistic vampires.

Night Club II #5 opens in Philadelphia, specifically at St. Luke's Hospital. Amy is there to steal blood. In fact, she has been stealing from blood banks all over the city. Why is Amy a blood thief?

Risso, Kendra, and their vampire gang killed Danny and Sam. Amy believes that if vampires are real, then, some of the stories and myths about them must be real, also. Relying mostly on old horror movies, Amy has concocted an idea of how to bring her friends back from... the wherever.

Meanwhile, Risso pays a visit to someone to whom he believes he owes a flex. Plus, the Philly police are deep into an investigation of all these missing teens.

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics. The latest received is Night Club II #5.

Night Club II is full of surprises, and writer Mark Millar always drops surprises in his comic books. The unexpected is to be expected, and this fifth issue of Night Club II does not disappoint. The Hammer Film Productions vampire movies are clearly a point of reference here. Christopher Lee first plays Count Dracula in Hammer's 1958 film, Dracula (known as Horror of Dracula in the U.S.). In later Hammer-Lee Dracula films, the Count is revived via methods that are similar to the process Amy is using to revive her partners in superhero/vampire crime.

Artist Juanan Ramírez has built this narrative on capturing the reckless nature of young people with too much power, regardless of whether this power is natural or supernatural and criminal or evil. Ramirez's storytelling has made Night Club II a vampire comic book like no other. He brings Millar's unique concept to life with a style that is both gaudy and earthy. Night Club jumps off the page with Ramirez's incomparable graphics, and colorist Fabiana Mascolo brings the funk and flash to Ramirez's art. Clem Robins' lettering, as always, is a perfect accompaniment.

Night Club II does not disappoint, dear readers. It's vampire+.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and of vampire comic books will want to be bitten by Night Club II.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://x.com/mrmarkmillar

https://x.com/netflix

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://www.darkhorse.com/

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Monday, January 27, 2025

Advanced Comics Review: "SILVERHAWKS #1" is Fully in Flight

SILVERHAWKS, VOL. 1 #1

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Ed Brisson

ART: George Kambadais

COLORS: Ellie Wright

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Nate Cosby

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Lucio Parrillo

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Bjorn Barends; James Stokoe; Geraldo Borges; Declan Shalvey; Leirix; Manix; Mark Spears; Mark Bagley

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2025)

Rated “Teen”

“SilverHawks” was an American animated television series developed by Rankin/Bass Productions. Lorimar-Telepictures provided the distribution for TV syndication and the Japanese studio, Pacific Animation Corporation, produced the animation. Rankin/Bass created “SilverHawks” as a space-based equivalent of its earlier animated series, ThunderCats (1985-86).

“SilverHawks” was set in the galaxy of “Limbo.” It focused on the bionic space enforcer, Commander Stargazer, and his recruits, “the SilverHawks,” heroes who were “partly metal, partly real.” They fought the evil Mon*Star, an escaped alien crime boss. He could transform into an enormous armor-plated creature with the help of Moonstar, a “solid star” in Limbo.

The “SilverHawks” property now belongs to Warner Bros. Discovery, and Dynamite Entertainment has a license to produce comic books based on many WBD properties. Dynamite is launching a SilverHawks comic book series, SilverHawks, Volume One. It is written by Ed Brisson; drawn by George Kambadais; colored by Ellie Wright; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.

SilverHawks Volume 1 #1 opens in the year 2839 in Bedlama City on the planet of Bedlama. Lt. Quick of the Interplanetary Force B is leading a unit to take down the notorious smuggler, Hardware. What Quick and his men don't know is that this is bigger than Hardware, bigger than Interplanetary Force B.

Mon*Star, the deadly mob boss taken down by Commander Stargazer and the SilverHawks, is about to break free of Penal Planet 10, where he has been imprisoned for one hundred years. Now, he plans to take revenge on everyone who tried to take his territory and anyone who tried to make moves on his criminal enterprise.

And his old enemies, Commander Stargazer and the SilverHawks, are too old to fight him again.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. SilverHawks, Volume One: Issue One is the first SilverHawks comic book that I've read.

I only vaguely remember the “SilverHawks” TV series, and I never watched it. I am more familiar with writer Ed Brisson, having enjoyed his AWA Studios work, including the excellent Sins of the Salton Sea #1. I enjoy the output of artist George Kambadais, having reviewed John Carter of Mars #1 and Disney's Gargoyles #1.

Together, Brisson and Kambadais offer a riveting first issue of the new SilverHawks series. Brisson deftly brings together the past and present, expertly tying them together to create what is likely the series' central conflict.

Kambadais, who seems gifted when it comes to science fiction-fantasy comic books, makes the story crackle from page to page with exciting action. Still, he leaves plenty of space to introduce the characters and their attitudes, if not their personalities. Ellie Wright's colors make the art shimmer and shake with the energy of a new beginning. Jeff Eckleberry's lettering is reliable in creating a rhythm for the narrative, and it does here.

I expected very little from Silverhawks #1, but I'm pleasantly surprised. This could be a really good series that is in for a long run.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series and of “SilverHawks” will want to give SilverHawks, Volume One a try.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://x.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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Saturday, January 25, 2025

Comics Review: "ARCHIE IS MR.JUSTICE #2" vs. Visionary

ARCHIE IS MR. JUSTICE, NO. 2 (OF 4)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Amanda Deibert

ART: Brent Schoonover

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITOR: Jamie Lee Rotante

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Reiko Murakami

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jamal Igle; Matt Talbot

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2025); on sale in comic book shops January 22, 2025

Rating: Teen+

Archie Comics has also published superhero comic books featuring offbeat characters. The latest is a new four-issue comic book series, entitled Archie is Mr. Justice. The second issue is written by Amanda Deibert; drawn by Brent Schoonover; colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli. Archie is Mr. Justice focuses on teenager Archie Andrews and his superhero persona, “Mr. Justice.” Mr. Justice may be the superhero that all of Riverdale is talking about, but now, he's not the only one. His activities have brought forth a rival – Visionary.

Archie is Mr. Justice #2 opens as Hiram Lodge, a greedy developer and real estate tycoon, plans to change the face of Riverdale through his company, Lodge Industries. No longer will it be small town, but instead will be state-of-the-art and exclusive. That also means a lot of people will be displaced from their neighborhoods and homes, and those people cannot afford the new luxury estates.

Hiram's daughter, Veronica Lodge, believes that she can mitigate the damage her father does by starting a charity that will help people find jobs. She also thinks that a charity fashion show is appropriate, and she wants her dear friend, Archie, to help her. However, some people want no part of her charity, and when the protesters show up at a Lodge Industries worksite, there is violence. And much to Veronica's disappointment, Mr. Justice takes the protesters' side.

Now, with the help of Lodge Tech, Veronica is about to become Riverdale's newest superhero, “Visionary.” Veronica does not know that her rival, Mr. Justice, is actually her precious Archie Andrews! Now, things are going to go from bad to worse.

THE LOWDOWN: I have been reading comic books, on and off, for decades. I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time. For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review. Archie is Mr. Justice No. 2 is the latest.

Archie Comics has been reviving some of the old M.L.J. “Golden Age” superheroes for several years now. The latest to rise from the grave is “Mr. Justice,” also known as “the Royal Wraith.” Created by writer Joe Blair and artist Sam Cooper, Mr. Justice was an 18th century English prince who was murdered by rebels. Chance and circumstance brought about his return to the mortal world in the 1940s in the form of Mr. Justice. Mr. Justice first appeared in Blue Ribbon Comics #9 (cover dated: February 1941; M.L.J. Magazines), which, in a bit of meta-fiction, is the comic book that appears in Archie is Mr. Justice #1 as one of Jughead's comic books. From this particular comic book, Archie takes inspiration for his “Mr. Justice” identity.

For this second issue, writer Amanda Deibert and artist Brent Schoonover delve into the complications that come from having both a superhero identity and a personal life. Deibert's script captures the ambivalence, unruly emotions, spurned feelings, and anger, all with an aura of relentlessness that can be called both smooth and constant.

Schoonover's art and storytelling present a story that is not so black-and-white in its conflict. He offers not so much heroes and villains as he does imperfect people. Glenn Whitmore's colors capture the nuance and shifting moods of this story, and Jack Morelli's lettering provides a steady beat for a story that finds the messiness of relationships with each page.

I am surprised by Archie is Mr. Justice #2. This is a melancholy chapter in this series, and it is not as aggressive nor as powerful as the first issue's story. Still, I wish that what is presented in this second issue was developed as a graphic novel. The story has the potential to decompress.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Archie Comics' superhero titles will want to try Archie is Mr. Justice No. 2.

[This comic book includes a two-page section on the making of Archie is Mr. Justice No. 2. There is also a Q&A featuring Amanda Deibert and Brent Schoonover.]

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://archiecomics.com/

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https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

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Thursday, January 23, 2025

Comics Review: "THE MAGIC ORDER 5 #4" Breaks the Hell Outta Hell

THE MAGIC ORDER 5 #4 (OF 6)

DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Matteo Buffagni

COLORS: Giovanna Niro with Laura Ciondolini

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Matteo Buffagni with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Matteo Buffagni

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2025)

Rating: 18+

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix

“The Death of Cordelia Moonstone”

The Magic Order 5 is a six-issue miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Matteo Buffagni. This is the fifth installment of The Magic Order series, which began with the 2018-19 miniseries written by Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel. The Magic Order is a band of sorcerers, magicians, and wizards – with a focus on the Moonstone family and its leader, Cordelia Moonstone – that live ordinary lives by day, but protect humanity from darkness and monsters of impossible sizes by night. Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series creative team.

The Magic Order 5 finds Cordelia preparing for her death – the punishment for using black magic (back in Volume 1). However, a new case has dropped itself in front of her, but it all may be a front for some really bad people trying to collect the price on Cordelia's head. Cordelia Moonstone is going to die soon... and there's nothing she can do about it. The end is coming in a matter of days.

The Magic Order 5 #4 opens on a lonely, rural Texas road in 1978. This is the story of how Clyde Bailey ended up with three demons inside him. He eventually tamed the demons and tried to make up for the wrong he did because they controlled him. Now, doing good means saving Cordelia. But there are so many magical denizens after her – from “Skin-Walker Sam” the magical hit-man to the magical world's most attractive bounty hunter, who has been sent by Sister Moon.

Meanwhile, after kidnapping and killing boys for years, Grandmaster Samuel Mott and his splinter group, “the Fellowship of the Bell,” believe that they have finally found the boy with the “bell” inside his small body. It is the bell that will summon the Fellowship's ancient gods.

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics. The latest received is The Magic Order 5 #4.

It is possible for each issue of The Magic Order 5 to be crazier than the previous issue, and I know that because issue #4 is nuttier than issue #3. And that's a good thing. However, The Magic Order has always been slickly produced, no matter how dark the narrative became, but now, the darkness seems paramount to drama, which scares me as much as it attracts me.

Millar certainly benefits from an artist who uses his favorite drawing implements to transform his scripts into glorious graphical storytelling (comic book storytelling). Line by line, artist Matteo Buffagni creates a world of such fearsome darkness, treacherous magic, and magical treachery that mesmerizes the reader. In the end, Buffagni makes The Magic Order 5 one of the best comic book series about magic ever published in North America.

The glorious hues of Giovanna Niro are a symphony of colors of light that accentuate the spellbinding aura of this narrative. Finally, there is Clem Robins – reliable Clem Robins, and his lettering is the soundtrack of this deadly game of thrones and bones.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order 5.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

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http://www.millarworld.tv/

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Monday, January 20, 2025

Comics Review: "PRODIGY: Slaves of Mars #5" is a Family Affair

PRODIGY: SLAVES OF MARS #5 (OF 5)

DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Stefano Landini

COLORS: Michele Assarasakorn

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Stefano Landini with Michele Assarasakorn

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Stefano Landini

40pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (January 2025)

Rated M / Mature

Prodigy created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Prodigy: Slaves of Mars is a five-issue comic book miniseries produced by writer Mark Millar. It is the third entry in the Prodigy series, following the original 2018-19 six-issue miniseries, Prodigy, and the 2022 miniseries, Prodigy: The Icarus Society. This new series' creative team is comprised of artist Stefano Landini; colorist Michele Assarasakorn; and letterer Clem Robins. Prodigy focuses on the adventures of the world's smartest man, Edison Crane.

In Prodigy: Slaves of Mars, Edison returns to New York City from an adventure in the Himalayas to find his company, Crane Solutions, in disarray. He also learns that his father, the former Senator Whitney Crane, is dead on Mars after discovering some shocking secret. Now, a wanted man, Edison only has one person left to whom he can turn. That would be his older, smarter brother, Elijah Crane.

Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #5 opens on Mars. Elijah ascertains that he and Edison's father, Whitney, discovered a series of “star gates” on Earth. So Edison and Elijah head to the most consequential star gate, the one in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, and that's how they got to Mars.

Now, it is time to get down to three mysteries: First, who murdered their father? What is the full story behind the secret mission to Mars? And what is the terrible fate of the human race is facing sooner than it thinks? The answers are shockers.

THE LOWDOWN: This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics. The latest title to mark my return is Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #5.

While the fourth issue was a blast to read, Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #5 offers the reader a chance at a variety of emotions. The issue is at once humorous and then, scary. It contemplative and talkative by measures before moving onto weird conspiracies and threatening futures. Millar goes full “Ancient Aliens,” secret space programs, and the Anunnaki. You already know about Millar's love of secrets and conspiracies if you have read Prodigy: The Icarus Society #1 or read Prodigy: The Evil Earth, the trade collection of the first miniseries.

The art team of illustrator Stefano Landini and colorist Michele Assarasakorn, as in the earlier issues, unveil the surprises in a steady stream of straightforward storytelling. Landini's storytelling here is more cautious, and does not race across the pages. Now, Landini wants us to savor doom, and Assarasakorn colors it all in the red hues of bad dreams. As always, Clem Robins provides the perfect soundtrack to this chapter with his classic lettering – this time more muted and ominous.

Without spoiling things, I can say that Millar's script is the kind that a father would write, with its resolutions and redemption. It is more about legacy than inheritance, and more about pointing the way than making the way. That makes Prodigy: Slaves of Mars a unique entry in a idiosyncratic franchise.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and of his comic book, Prodigy, will want to read Prodigy: Slaves of Mars.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://www.netflix.com/

https://twitter.com/netflix

https://www.darkhorse.com/

https://x.com/darkhorsecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/darkhorsecomics/

https://www.instagram.com/DarkHorseComics/

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