TRASH IN MY EYE Reviews: Comics Review

Showing posts with label Comics Review. Show all posts

Monday, April 21, 2025

Comics Review: "UNCANNY X-MEN #1" Rises from the Ashes

UNCANNY X-MEN #1 (2024)

MARVEL COMICS

STORY: Gail Simone

ART: David Marquez

COLORS: Matthew Wilson

LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles

COVER: David Marquez with Matthew Wilson

EDITOR: Tom Brevoort

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Andy Kubert with Brad Anderson; David Marquez with Matthew Wilson; Jim Lee with Alex Sinclair; John Tyler Christopher; Leinil Francis Yu with Sunny Gho; Luciano Vecchio; Pablo Villalobos; Scott Koblish with Rachelle Rosenberg; Stephen Segovia with Jay David Ramos

40pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (October 2024)

Rated T+

X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“Red Wave”

The X-Men are a Marvel Comics superhero team. The team was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1 (cover dated: September 1963). The X-Men are “mutants,” and Marvel's mutants are humans born with a genetic trait called the “X-gene,” which naturally grants them superhuman abilities. Being different from normal humans makes mutants the subject of prejudice, discrimination, and violence from humans. Founded by Professor Charles Xavier a.k.a. “Professor X,” the X-Men fight to protect Earth for both humans and mutants, often battling various “evil mutants” and otherworldly threats.

Over the decades, especially over the last four, there have been countless comic book publications featuring the X-Men. The X-Men flagship comic book was entitled “The X-Men” beginning with Issue #1 lasting through Issue #141. With Issue #142, the title official became “Uncanny X-Men.? Over the last decade Uncanny X-Men has been relaunched a few times, each news series beginning with a new Issue #1.

The latest relaunch began last year (2024) during the late summer. The 2024 iteration of Uncanny X-Men is written by Gail Simone; drawn by David Marquez; colored by Matthew Wilson; and lettered by VC's Clayton Cowles. The new series takes place in the wake of the “From the Ashes” crossover publishing event and finds the X-Men without a home and without Professor X.

Uncanny X-Men #1 opens in Westchester County, New York, specifically at the former “Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.” Diabolical forces have taken over the campus and are making plans to transform it from a school into some kind of detention center or prison.

Since the fall of the island-nation slash mutant paradise of Krakoa, mutants have been left adrift across the globe. Rogue, Gambit, and Wolverine are in Mexico, specifically Teotihuacan, where they will face a dragon. Next up is “the University of Mississippi Medical Center,” where they engage in a mission of mercy for Nightcrawler and a low-level, dying mutant boy named “Harvey X.” Before long, the quartet will encounter what may be some new mutants, but is Rogue willing to become the new leader of the X-Men? Should the X-Men even continue to be a thing?

THE LOWDOWN: I am not on any kind of comp list that provides me with review copies – PDF or otherwise – of Marvel Comics publications. That leaves me free to say what I want without feeling that a bad review could get me excommunicated. [Despite what the marketing people at publishers say, a slip-up of any kind can get a reviewer removed from a comp list.]

By the time I read this new Uncanny X-Men #1 and began to write the review, this series' first trade collection, Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1: Red Wave, had been in stores for a week and a half. I am still not going to post detailed spoilers, and I suspect there is a lot to spoil over the entire arc. I like the vibe that Gail Simone brings to the series. It is part traditional X-Men, but with an offbeat wild vibe that is similar to what readers found in New X-Men #114 (cover dated: July 2001). I don't know how new and original the new mutants presented in this issue are, but Simone seems to be aiming for a new direction in this first issue of her run on this venerable series. I think she is the first woman to be the regular series writer on Uncanny X-Men, which is disgraceful that it took decades for that to happen.

As for the art by David Marquez: his work has looked better and the storytelling has been much more potent. His graphical style was simpler and cleaner in the classic Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (cover dated: July 2014). Now, Marquez is more stylish and impressionistic that he has ever been, but the storytelling here substitutes flash action for meaningful drama. The great Matthew Wilson makes the art pop off the page with his rich, earthy hues. As usual, letterer Clayton Cowles is solid, but his lettering does not get in the way of the way of the story's action.

So I don't know if I will seek out the trade for this first arc of the new Uncanny X-Men. This first chapter of “Red Wave” is somewhat intriguing, but I feel like Simone put off too much of the narrative in order to focus on Rogue's melodrama. I assume the best is yet to come, so I will recommend that X-Men fans give this series a try.

Yes. You can describe me as ambivalent about this first issue. I am still curious about X-Men comic books, but my passion for them has cooled over the years.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of X-Men comic books will always want to see what's going on with the Uncanny X-Men.

[By Marvel's legacy numbering, Uncanny X-Men #1 (2024) is also Issue No. 701.]

B+

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

The first trade collection, "Uncanny X-Men by Gail Simone Vol. 1: Red Wave" is now available at Amazon.

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Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Comics Review: "ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1" Struts and Frets Its Hour Upon the Stage

ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1

DC COMICS

STORY: Jason Aaron

ART: Rafa Sandoval

COLORS: Ulises Arreola

LETTERS: Becca Carey

EDITOR: Chris Conroy

COVER: Rafa Sandoval & Ulises Arreola

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair; Wes Craig with Mike Spicer; Clayton Crain; Matteo Scalera

36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2025)

Superman created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

“Last Dust of Krypton” Part One: “Down in the Dirt”

Superman is a DC Comics superhero that was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and that first appeared in Action Comics #1 (first published on April 18, 1938). Superman was born “Kal-El” on the fictional planet Krypton. As a baby, his parents, “Jor-El” and “Lara” sent him to Earth in a small spaceship shortly before Krypton was destroyed in a natural cataclysm.

The space ship landed in outside of the fictional town of “Smallville,” Kansas, USA. Farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent found baby Kal-El, adopted him, and named him “Clark Kent.” Clark began developing superhuman abilities, such as incredible strength and impervious skin, and the Kents advised him to use his powers to benefit humanity. As an adult, Clark moved to the fictional American city of “Metropolis.” Clark works as a reporter for “The Daily Planet,” but he fights crime as the superhero, “Superman.”

The origin story of Superman has been its own “Goldberg variations” for decades. Now, comes a new line of DC Comics, “Absolute Comics,” which is similar to Marvel's “Ultimate Comics” line, in that Absolute Comics presents alternate versions and the changed narratives of familiar DC Comics characters and their back stories. Welcome to “Earth-Alpha” and the “Absolute Universe.”

Absolute Batman was the first entry in the Absolute Comics line. The second entry is the recently launched comic book series, Absolute Superman. It is written by Jason Aaron; drawn by Rafa Sandoval; colored by Ulises Arreola; and lettered by Becca Carey. In the new series, Superman/Clark Kent is without the fortress...without the family... and without a home. So what is left is the Absolute Man of Steel?

Absolute Superman #1 (“Down in the Dirt”) shifts in time. First, it opens in the past on the planet, Krypton, which is nine million light-years from Earth. It is a world of haves, have-nots, and have-mores. Jor-El, an engineer, has discovered that something terrible is about to happen to his world.

In the present day, Kal-El, a strange young man who is not of this world, has been helping the have-nots, much to the chagrin of the have-everthings. Against the advice of his “companion,” “Sol,” Kal-El has been working below in mineral mines, doing deeds that favor of the poor, especially the abused miners, much to the chagrin of Lazarus Corp. Now, these conflicting values are all coming to a head.

THE LOWDOWN: I do not receive PDF review copies from DC Comics. I bought a copy of Absolute Superman #1 from Lone Star Comics' eBay shop.

The art by Rafa Sandoval is pretty, but it is overly detailed. Most of the panels are so crowded with elements and content that it creates a murkiness between the storytelling and the readers – at least as far as I am concerned. The colors by Ulises Arreola are also pretty, but sometimes, the colors look like a soupy mess of bright, vivid, heavy, and thick coloring that is not necessary. Less is indeed more, sometimes. I find that it is Becca Carey's lettering, of all the elements, that serves to make the story clear.

Superman's origin has undergone major renovation in the past, everything from John Byrne's 1986 comic book miniseries, The Man of Steel, to J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis' Superman: Earth One Volume One. Even director Zack Snyder's 2013 film, The Man of Steel, takes a radical view of Superman's origin.

Without offering spoilers, I can say that Jason Aaron's re-ordering of Superman's origin is radical on two fronts. First, his new look at Krypton borrows from Byrne and goes even darker. Secondly, Aaron takes Superman/Clark Kent's life on Earth and makes it unrecognizable, but familiar in that it recognizes Superman's place as a man of the people rather than as being nothing more than a superhero brand and lucrative IP.

When DC Comics' marketing copy says, “Without the fortress...without the family...without a home...what's left is the Absolute Man of Steel!,” Aaron means it. Still, I wonder if Aaron is not stripping away a lot of familiar, but worn elements merely to replace them with new elements that will quickly become worn.

Absolute Superman #1 has high production values and a lot of interesting narrative concepts around it. In a way, I like what Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval are doing... but I'm not really that interested. I don't want to pay the price of admission, nor do I want to spend the time to engage with Absolute Superman. Still, I recommend that curious comic book readers at least give this first issue, Absolute Superman #1, a try. It is high-quality, professionally executed commercial fiction.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Superman comic books will want to at least try Absolute Superman.

[This comic book features a back-up story, “AEW Presents Darby All In” from writer Steve Orlando; artist Pop Mhan; colorist Hi-Fi; letterer Josh Reed; and editor Michael McCalister.]

B+

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

https://www.dccomics.com/

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Monday, April 14, 2025

Comics Review: "SPACE GHOST #11" Gets Caught Up

SPACE GHOST VOL. 1 #11

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

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

Rated “Teen”

“Beware... The Council of Doom!”

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 #11 (“Beware... The Council of Doom!”) opens on Planet Orkon, where a familiar foe is back in action. That works perfectly for Doctor Xander Ibal, the CEO OF Robo Corp. He placed a 5 million credits bounty on Space Ghost, and now he wants something that the vigilante hero has in his possession on Ghost Planet.

This time, however, Ibal does not want to hire just one super-villain that will likely fall before Space Ghost; he wants an entire gang of them. Enter the “Council of Doom.” Can Zorak, Moltar, General Metallus, the Creature King, the Widow, and Brak do together what they could not do separately?

Meanwhile, on the home front, Space Ghost has reached a crisis point, and Jan isn't taking it anymore. Will family drama be the thing that brings down the Space Ghost?

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 #11, Volume One is a recent issue that I have received.

Oops, David Pepose did it again, but he's not that innocent. He knows how to hold his readers, thrill his readers, and kill his readers softly with his song. Having Space Ghost face his greatest adversaries, while facing his biggest domestic drama since the death of his family is a genius move that keeps this Space Ghost comic book in nova mode.

Artist Jonathan Lau, as always, turns Pepose's story into muscular comic book storytelling. This time Lau puts both the action and drama in full explosive mode. Lau has the knack to set the right tone for every scene and indeed, every panel. It is a winning formula for gripping storytelling. Andrew Dalhouse's lovely colors are still a raging inferno. He deserves some award notice for his work here. Letterer Taylor Esposito brings the sounds of battle and domestic disharmony to life with more of his strong lettering.

I'm having a blast reading Space Ghost Volume One, dear readers. I want you to enjoy this, too. Come on over; come on over, baby!

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, April 12, 2025

Comics Review: "CONAN THE BARBARIAN #11" Spells Doom

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #11 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: Diego Rodriguez

LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith of Comicraft

EDITOR: Chris Butera

COVER: Alex Horley

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Richard Pace; Sean Galloway; Alex Horley

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

Suggested for mature readers

“The Age Unconquered” Part III: “Call From the Depths”

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 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 #11 (“Call From the Depths”) opens in the dreams and reveries of Conan, where he converses with Yag-kosha. The wise alien, worshiped by some as a god, has a lot to say about Conan's fate. It is a fate that has found Conan tens of thousands of years in the past – back to the time of Kull of Atlantis (also known as “Kull the Conqueror”) and Brule the Spear-slayer, a time know as the “Thurian Age.”

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, but upon arrival, Conan and Kull found an abyss into which they now travel. Unexpected terrors await, including one of Kull's most infamous adversaries.

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #11 is one of them.

I am so far behind in my reviews of Titan and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian comic book series that some of you, dear readers, already know what fate awaits Conan, Kull, and Brule. However, I am enjoying my slow roll through the narrative wonders of writer Jim Zub. The confab he fashions between Conan and Yag-kosha is one of the best sequences in a Conan comic book that I have read in years. Patience and conversation can be a good thing even in a violent fight comic book such as Conan the Barbarian.

Artist Roberto de la Torre, with his haunted illustrations, makes this series hum with his storytelling that recalls the vintage wonders of weird fiction. Mixing the aesthetic elements and graphical styles of Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, and John Buscema, de la Torre has made “The Age Unconquered” seem as if it is a story arc that has really been called from the depths of time. Diego Rodriguez's colors enhance the Stygian and infernal wonders of this third chapter of the arc, and I love that Richard Starking's stark lettering completes the classic comic book vibe.

“The Age Unconquered” may end up conquering us, dear readers, as it carries us to a new direction for Conan the Barbarian. I believe that I should be begging you, dear readers, to read this series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books absolutely must read Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “The Real Thulsa Doom: Skull-Faced Sorcerer of the Thurian Age” the eleventh installment of Conan/Howard essays by Jeffrey Shanks. The second text piece is “Know, O... Er... Oh Prince...” by Shanks.]

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

This story arc is collected in the trade paperback, CONAN THE BARBARIAN: THE AGE UNCONQUERED VOL. 3, which you can obtain at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/

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Friday, April 11, 2025

Comics Review: "SWORD & THIMBLE #1" Draws First Blood

SWORD & THIMBLE #1

FANTASY ENVISIONING & CREATIONS, LLC

PLOT: Carmen Raye and Austin Darby

SCRIPT: Carmen Raye

ART: Austin Darby

COLORS: Austin Darby

LETTERS: Austin Darby

COVER: Austin Darby

24pp, Color, $9.99 U.S.

Sword & Thimble created by Carmen Raye and Austin Darby

Sword & Thimble is a new high fantasy comic book series from writer Carmen Raye and artist Austin Darby. Raye co-plots and scripts the series and Darby co-plots, draws, colors, and letters the series. Published via Darby's Fantasy Envisioning & Creations, LLC, Sword & Thimble is set on a continent and island metropolis known as “Sabise Shahar.” A first issue of the series is currently available.

Sword & Thimble #1 opens in Gravel Valley where Maira Rodan, a disgraced knight, arrives at a tavern. There, she meets her friend, a thief named “Thimble.” A run-in with a thug named Clod Ilbert provides entertainment for the two friends, but this confrontation is not the end of things. The troubles are just beginning.

THE LOWDOWN: I met Austin Darby at his booth at the recent Louisiana Comic Con 2025 (March 8-9) in Lafayette, Louisiana. That is where I bought a copy of Sword & Thimble #1.

Sword & Thimble #1 is clearly the work of people just beginning their creative journey into the medium of comic books. However, any opening night jitters or even awkwardness in the storytelling is easily overcome by a sense of confidence on the part of the creators. The world of Sword & Thimble is well put together, as well as believable, and the leads are characters that I like and that I want to follow on the high road to adventure.

Darby's art looks like the work of someone still feeling his way around the graphical confines and graphic possibilities of comics. However, Darby understands what the depiction of power and of strength and what dynamic storytelling can do for his storytelling. Like his visually striking cover art, Darby's interior art welcomes readers to a world of mystery and to the threat of danger, his way of capturing readers' imaginations from the beginning.

I must admit that I am surprised. I find myself engaged with what Sword & Thimble #1 presents more than I thought I would. Hopefully, Carmen Raye and Austin Darby can produce this series on a regular basis because I believe the more they give, the more readers will take.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of high fantasy comic books will want to give Sword & Thimble a try.

A-

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

https://www.fantasyenvisioning.com/

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Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Comics Review: "VATICAN CITY #1" Breaks Hell Loose

VATICAN CITY #1 (OF 3)

DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Per Berg

COLORS: Per Berg

LETTERS: Per Berg

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Per Berg

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Per Berg; John McCrea

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

Rating: 18+

Vatican City created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Vatican City is a new Millarworld miniseries from Dark Horse Comics. It is created and written by Mark Millar and drawn, colored, and lettered by Per Berg. Vatican City is set in a world overrun by vampires, except for Vatican City, which is the main target of the vampires.

Vatican City #1 opens in Princeton, New Jersey. There, Professor Derrida is about to discover that he is to play a key role in a vampire plot that is steadily taking over the world.

A few hours later, Guido Cavelti, recently of the Swiss Air Force, is in Vatican City, the independent city-state within Rome, Italy that is the government of the “Holy See” (the Pope and the Papacy). Cavelti is there to be interviewed about a position with the Swiss Guard, the security that protects the Pope and the Apostolic Palace.

Before he knows it, however, Cavelti is in the middle of a rescue operation, trying to save everyone inside Vatican City. There is an invasion of monsters just outside its borders.

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 Vatican City #1.

While reading this, I thought of a few apocalyptic and vampire films to which Vatican City #1 has at least a passing resemblance – in one way or another. That includes 28 Days Later (2002), I Am Legend (2007), Daybreakers (2009), to name a few. Of course, Vatican City's writer, Mark Millar, has dealt with vampires before, as he has did when he launched his wonderful vampire-as-superheroes franchise with Night Club #1.

Millar throws the readers right into the action, and as always, Millar action is bracing action – filled with equal parts thrills and chills. I don't want to spoil anything, but, of course, there is a shocking surprise to close out this first issue.

The art, colors, and letters by Per Berg (also known as Per Darwin Berg or by the pen name, “Narwhal”) are both representational and impressionistic, possibly because Berg is depicting a world that is rapidly shifting from the natural to the supernatural. One thing that Berg's storytelling certainly does is create the sense of rapid breakdown and hopelessness, which are perfect modes for apocalyptic fiction. Berg wants the reader to guess at what is happening more than know what is happening.

Well, Millar and Berg have certainly given readers a reason to come back for the second issue. I suggest that you do so, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar, of vampire comic books, and of horror apocalypse will want to read Vatican City.

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

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http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://www.darkhorse.com/

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Comics Review: "ARCHIE & FRIENDS LEVEL UP! #1" Levels Up on "Minecraft"

ARCHIE & FRIENDS LEVEL UP! #1 (#19)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ian Flynn; Hal Smith; George Gladir; Bill Golliher

PENCILS: Steve Butler; Doug Crane; Dan DeCarlo; Sam Schwartz;

INKS: Lily Butler; Scott McRae; Mike Esposito; Rudy Lapick; Samm Schwartz; Dan DeCarlo

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Barry Grossman

LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Bill Yoshida

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peňa

VARIANT COVER: Dan DeCarlo

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (June 2025); on sale in comic book shops April 2, 2025

Rating: All-Ages

“Servers You Right”

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 published the series, Archie & Friends, from 1992 to 2012 for 159 issues. Since 2019, Archie has been publishing a new iteration of Archie & Friends as a series of themed one-shot comic books. The latest is Archie & Friends (Level Up!) No.1, the nineteenth issue in the series. It features one new five-page story and five reprint stories. Entitled “Servers You Right,” the new story is written by Ian Flynn; drawn by Steve Butler (pencils) and Lily Butler (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Archie and Friends in Level Up! in “Servers You Right”:

Archie and the Gang (Betty, Veronica, and Jughead) come together to play the video game, “Crafty Miners,” an open world video game where you can do anything. The fun and games turn a little edgier when Veronica decides to be her normal self, and Reggie shows up to do some damage. Can Dilton, the server administrator, save the day?

THE LOWDOWN: For several years, Archie's marketing department has been sending me PDF copies of some of their titles for review. One of the most recent is Archie & Friends Level Up! (which is titled Archie and Friends, No. 1 (#19), in the indicia).

The Archie & Friends series has previously offered movie-themed editions in the past, such as Archie and Friends Hot Summer Movies (cover dated: July 2023), which included the story, “Riverdale Jones and the Burger of Destiny,” a parody of the then upcoming film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). The target for parody this time is the recent smash hit, Warner Bros. film, A Minecraft Movie, which is based on the video game, Minecraft, which debuted in 2011.

I don't have much interest in the movie, but I will likely watch it when it arrives on the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming service, Max, in a few months. Surprisingly, the script by Ian Flynn offers a rather nice scenario, which could have become a rather nice full-size, standalone story instead of this good five-page story. I wish Archie would have let Flynn fly on this one.

The art team of Steve Butler (pencils) and Lily Butler (inks) deliver some standout work. As far as my experience with their Archie Comics work, this is the best looking that I have seen in terms of composition and aesthetics. And I say this as a fan of their Archie work. “Servers You Right” has captured my imagination in a way I did not expect. Glenn Whitmore's colors really serve the art quite well, and, as always, Jack Morelli's lettering hits it hard.

In addition to the main stories, there are five reprint stories. Two with Archie as the star, and one each with Betty, Jughead, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch as the star. I grew up on classic-style Archie Comics. So, there is something comforting about seeing Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead in both all-new and classic adventures. I will always recommend classic-style Archie titles, so I am giving Archie and Friends Level Up! a heartier recommendation than usual because of the Butlers' art.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want to find a copy of Archie & Friends Level Up!.

B+

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

https://archiecomics.com/

https://twitter.com/archiecomics

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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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Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Comics Review: "ARCHIE IS MR.JUSTICE #3" vs. Betty Cooper?!

ARCHIE IS MR. JUSTICE, NO. 3 (OF 4)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Kenny Porter

ART: Maria Sanapo

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITOR: Jamie Lee Rotante

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Reiko Murakami

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Soo Lee; Matt Talbot

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (May 2025); on sale in comic book shops March 19, 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 third issue is written by Kenny Porter; drawn by Maria Sanapo; 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.” Now, Archie has to choose between two loves – Betty Cooper and Riverdale.

Archie is Mr. Justice #3 opens in Pickens Park, Riverdale. There, Betty Cooper meets with Harper, a reporter. Betty has arranged this meeting in order to tell the story of how Mr. Justice changed her life, how he made her brave. This is also a story, however, of love and heartbreak.

With great powers comes great sacrifice, but when Archie is faced with having to choose between his responsibilities and his first love, Betty Cooper, will his duties to Riverdale win out over his heart? And what choices will Betty make? Plus, there are appearances by Kid Wicked, Mad Flame, and the rise of the “Defendo-Bots.”

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. 3 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 third issue, writer Kenny Porter and artist Maria Sanapo delve into the complications that come from having both a superhero identity and a personal life, which the prior issue also did. Porter's script captures the birth of young love – in full bloom – and then, it captures the arrival of complications. I can say that the emotions and romance that Porter depicts resonate in the story. The coming on of romantic troubles and later, the hope of reconciliation and maturation engaged me; I was surprised to find myself investing, as a reader, in Archie and Betty's relationship.

Sanapo's art and storytelling offer a feeling of nostalgia and a sense of now. Her line work is classic comics cool, but the storytelling is a storm of complications and subtle conflicts of interests that readers were unlikely to find in comic book romance six or seven decades ago. Sanapo's art is a blending of eye-pleasing graphics and rich storytelling. Honestly, I think Sanapo's work here makes an argument that this story should have been a graphic novel instead of only being a single issue.

Glenn Whitmore's colors capture the nuance and shifting moods of this story, and I think he is perfect for Sanapo's art. Jack Morelli's lettering provides a steady beat for a story that finds the messiness of relationships with each page and also the fun of the explosive destruction of superhero fight comics

I am surprised by Archie is Mr. Justice #3. It is as strong as prior issues, but is also different. It stands out in a way that will hopefully attract readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Archie Comics' superhero titles will want to try Archie is Mr. Justice No. 3.

[This comic book includes a two-page section on the making of Archie is Mr. Justice No. 3. There is also a Q&A featuring Kenny Porter and Maria Sanapo.]

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

https://archiecomics.com/

https://x.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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Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Comics Review: "THE HERCULOIDS #2" Comes Out Swinging

THE HERCULOIDS VOL. 1 #2

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Tom Sniegoski

ART: Craig Rousseau

COLORS: Omi Remalante, Jr.

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Francesco Mattina

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Bjorn Barends; Felipe Massafera; Eric Powell; Francesco Mattina

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

Rated “Teen”

“The Herculoids” created and designed by Alex Toth

“The Herculoids” was an American Saturday-morning animated television series that was produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions. It originally aired on CBS for 18 episodes from September 1967 to January 1968. Rooted in science fiction and fantasy, “The Herculoids” featured characters created and designed by the late Alex Toth (1928-2006).

"The Herculoids" was originally set on the planet Amzot and featured eight regular characters. The main characters were members of a space barbarian family: Zandor, the father; Tara, the mother; and Dorno, the son. In order to keep their planet safe from invaders, they fight alongside the other five regulars, a group of giant pets: the laser dragon, “Zok,” the space rhinoceros, “Tundro,” the rock ape, “Igoo,” and the shape-shifting duo of “Gloop and Gleep.”

Over the decades, there have been comic books featuring The Herculoids, published by Gold Key Comics, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics. The latest is The Herculoids Volume 1, which is part of Dynamite Entertainment's licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery. The Herculoids is written by Tom Sniegoski; drawn by Craig Rousseau; colored by Omi Remalante, Jr.; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.

The Herculoids Volume 1 #2 opens with a recap of how the mercenary, Quen-Tel, was able to convince a mysterious consortium to provide him with an experienced exploratory and extraction team and one of its largest refinery ships. He was given all this so that he could lead an expedition to Amzot in a bid to steal all of Amzot's natural resources. There is one big problem, though.

Amzot is the home of “the Herculoids,” and no matter what advantage you might think you have over them, you don't. That's true even when you take what is supposed to be their most vulnerable family member. F**k around; find out.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. The Herculoids Volume 1, Issue #2 is the latest, and this maybe the first comic book featuring The Herculoids solo that I have read.

The Herculoids #1 did not open with a bang. In that debut issue, writer Tom Sniegoski offered a gentle introductory tale, although there was some “fantasy violence. This was a chapter that reintroduced the characters of the famed vintage Hanna-Barbera Saturday morning animated series. Issue #1 was also a tame introduction for those who are new to the tale. With this second issue, Sniegoski unleashes the Herculoids beasts on this story that is full of intrigue and explosive action. I think this chapter will please both longtime fans and new fans of The Herculoids.

Artist Craig Rousseau offered an unadorned first issue with plain, straightforward storytelling. Here, he also goes wild with Issue #2, depicting lots intense action and heightened drama, showing off what he will likely bring to the series going forward. Omi Remalante, Jr.'s coloring continues to keep-it-simple-stupid with a hues that emphasize the action. Jeff Eckleberry captures the classic vibe of old cartoons and vintage comics with his lettering.

I think The Herculoids 2025 has potential, which this second issue shows off. I plan to come back, and perhaps, you should also, dear readers, if you are fans of this franchise.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series and of “The Herculoids” will want to read The Herculoids Volume 1.

A-

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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Sunday, March 30, 2025

Comics Review: "SPACE GHOST #10" Made Me Holla

SPACE GHOST VOL. 1 #10

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

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

Rated “Teen”

“Who is the Space Spectre?!”

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 #10 (“Who is the Space Spectre?!”) opens at the Interstellar Research Platform near Black Hole X. There, a man with dark plans gets a comeuppance before the plans get a chance to be born, let alone turn dark.

Meanwhile, at Robo Corp Tower, the CEO of Robo Corp, Dr. Xander Ibal, plots the launch of “Project Ultima,” via the “Ultima Satellite,” which will give Robo Corp galaxy-wide expansion and influence. A dark and shocking figure from the future emerges, however, presenting a new threat to Robo Corp, to Space Ghost and his family, and to everyone.

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 #10, Volume One is a recent issue that I have received.

Every time I feel like I'm running out of gas when it comes to reviewing writer David Pepose and artist Jonathan Lau's Space Ghost, I read another issue and get a jolt up my ass. Suddenly, I'm feeling new energy to sing the praises of this series. If the original 1966-67 TV series were said to have a true sequel, it would be this reboot that is more like a narrative retelling than an IP demolition, which is what many reboots turn out to be. Pepose is certainly imaginative in the elements he brings to this Space Ghost comic book, but this time, in the plight of the “villain,” there is genuinely poignant drama that resonates throughout the story.

Artist Jonathan Lau turns this story into all-powerful comic book storytelling. He builds the drama and blows up the action, and I guess I finally have to admit something. I love the brawny, gritty, musculature that he layers on the figures of Space Ghost and on this chapter's “adversary.” It is almost like vintage physique photography, and it gives me a case of man-crush. Anyway, Lau is doing superstar work on this series, and I don't know if this is his best work. It gets hard to tell because sometimes Lau's work here seems like all “be best.”

Andrew Dalhouse's lovely colors continue to set this story afire, turning drama into an inferno. Letterer Taylor Esposito continues to do his best cinematic scores, giving sound to the elegant silence of comic books that the best letterers bring to life in the reader's imagination.

I'm having a blast reading Space Ghost Volume One, dear readers. Don't say that you want “great stories with great characters” – in a whiny voice – if you aren't reading this. That only makes me doubt your sincerity about wanting the “great.”

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, March 28, 2025

Advanced Comics Review: "THE OMEGA ELEVEN #1" is a Blast of a Blast-Off

THE OMEGA ELEVEN #1 (OF 4)

MONSTROUS BOOKS

STORY: James Aquilone

ART: Zac Atkinson

COLORS: Zac Atkinson

LETTERS: Jeremiah Lambert

FLATS: Thiago Aguiar

EDITOR: James Aquilone

COVER: Zac Atkinson

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dave Acosta; J.K. Woodward; Zac Atkinson

32pp, Color, $7.99 U.S.

The Omega Eleven created by James Aquilone and Zac Atkinson

The Omega Eleven is an upcoming four issue miniseries from Bram Stoker Award-winning writer James Aquilone and artist-colorist Zac Atkinson. Published by Monstrous Books, the series is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. Letterer Jeremiah Lambert and flatter Thiago Aguiar complete the creative time. The series focuses on a time-traveler who must assemble history's greatest villains in order pull off an impossible heist in an effort to save the Omniverse.

The Omega Eleven #1 introduces Doctor Omega and his partner, 14-year-old Jack Dawkins, a.k.a. “The Artful Dodger.” Aboard Omega's time-traveling ship, “the Cosmos,” they travel to Camelot, circa 1138 AD, to steal “the Philosopher's Stone” from Merlin. However, the first steps in that process begin a series unfortunate, then catastrophic events that create a rift in the Omniverse.

There is a cascade of disastrous convergences, so the question is how does one fix an existential disaster of the ultimate scale? The answer is you gather a band of eleven. So who will be the Eleven?

THE LOWDOWN: James Aquilone provided me with an advanced PDF copy for review of The Omega Eleven #1. I can say that as a literary and comic book editor, James Aquilone delivers the good stuff. Now, he seeks to deliver the good stuff as a comic book writer. I have to admit that I really like The Omega Eleven #1.

This first issue has more than a passing resemblance to the BBC's legendary science fiction television series, “Doctor Who” (1963 to present). There are several appearances and references from vintage literary works. Of note are the works of Maurice Leblanc and Gaston Leroux. The Omega Eleven will remind readers of at least the first volume of Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (1999-2000), Terry Gilliam's cult film, Time Bandits (1981), and the beloved Robert Zemeckis film, Back to the Future (1985). Of course, the Arthurian legends play a big role in this first issue and likely will continue to haunt this narrative.

That aside, The Omega Eleven feels like a labor of love. Aquilone has fashioned his influences and beloved storytelling into something that is familiar, but eccentric and contrary in its own unique way. He left me begging for more, and since he provided me with an advanced PDF copy for review, I won't ignore any future links of coming issues that he sends.

I am a little familiar with artist Zac Atkinson, but what he does in this first issue shocks me. He is a gifted storyteller in the medium of comics, and he brings this story to life. I don't know how many artists could match his storytelling here, which is a gumbo of weird fiction, pulp fantasy, vintage literature, pop comics, and popular culture. In modern phraseology, Aquilone and Atkinson have killed it with this first issue. I hope they deliver on the promise and the potential on display here in future issues. In the meantime, run over to the The Omega Eleven Kickstarter and give like your entertainment life depended on it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: If you miss The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, then, The Omega Eleven is ready to provide you with some reading pleasure.

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

The Omega Eleven – The Metropolis Job Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manbomb/omega-eleven-2?ref=c49po0

https://x.com/jamesaquilone

https://monstrousbooks.com/

https://monstrousbooks.com/shop

https://x.com/MonstrousBooks

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Monday, March 24, 2025

Comics Review: "SILVERHAWKS #2" is Fully in Flight, Too

SILVERHAWKS, VOL. 1 #2

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Ed Brisson

ART: George Kambadais

COLORS: Ellie Wright

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Nate Cosby

COVER: Lucio Parrillo

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; James Stokoe; Geraldo Borges; Ivan Tao; Lesley “Leirix” Li; Manix; Mark Spears; Lucio Parrillo

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

Rated “Teen”

“Bluegrass and Hotwing Night at the Starship Casino”

“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 #2 (“Bluegrass and Hotwing Night at the Starship Casino”) opens beyond the edge of the Limbo Galaxy, aboard the “Starship Casino.” There, the rock 'n' roll duo of “Bluegrass” and “Melodia,” a.k.a. “Electric Sky,” are about to perform.

Meanwhile, at “Hawk Haven” within the Limbo Galaxy, Lt. Jonathan Quick of the Interplanetary Force B (IFB) has discovered that he is no longer quite himself. In the wake of the attack on the IFB by the notorious smuggler, “Hardware,” what's next for Quick?

What do these two dramas have in common? One features a man about to begin his “Silverhawks” training. The other features a man who is about to discover that his dreams of rock 'n' roll fame have not diminished his ability to discern right from wrong.

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 Two is the first SilverHawks comic book that I've read.

I was pleasantly surprised by Dynamite's Gargoyles #1. I had never watched the television series, but the first issue produced by writer Ed Brisson and artist George Kambadais made me want to finally discover the TV show. In the riveting first issue of the new SilverHawks series, Brisson deftly brought together the past and present, expertly tying them together to create what is likely the series' central conflict. With this second issue, Brisson begins to bring together the next era of heroes.

Kambadais, who seems gifted when it comes to science fiction-fantasy comic books, continues to make this series crackle from page to page with exciting action and engaging intrigue. Still, he expertly begins the process of introducing the new players. Ellie Wright's colors make the art shimmer and shake with the energy of a new beginning. Jeff Eckleberry's lettering is always reliable in creating a rhythm for the narrative, and it does so here.

I expected very little from Silverhawks #1, but after two good issues, I expect a lot from the series. This could be a really good comic book 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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Sunday, March 23, 2025

Comics Review: "SPACE GHOST #9" is Some Powerful Sh*t

SPACE GHOST VOL. 1 #9

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

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

Rated “Teen”

“Invasion of the Space Armada!”

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 #9 (“Invasion of the Space Armada!”) opens on Cetia-7, the Galactic Federation Homeworld. Having defeated the Space Ghost, General Metallus has launched a full-scale invasion of Cetia-7. When the planet falls, it will make the sound of an empire being born, an empire under the iron rule of Metallus. Don't count your empires before they hatch, Metallus, because you can't keep a good hero down.

Meanwhile, Jan, Jace, and Blip continue their valiant effort. Believing Space Ghost to be dead, the children and their pet monkey are determined to save as many people as they can. Can Space Ghost's young allies hold on until help arrives?

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 #9, Volume One is a recent issue that I have received.

Writer David Pepose has closed his two-part battle royale between Space Ghost and one of his most powerfully dangerous adversaries, Metallus, with enough power to light up a galactic homeworld. Pepose is so good at this Space Ghost comic book writing thing that I am starting to believe that if Space Ghost has a canon, this comic book stands right behind the original 1966-67 TV series.

Artist Jonathan Lau art makes Pepose's powerful script into all-powerful comic book storytelling. His art is textured and beautiful, dark and dangerous, and brings sexy back. Nothing Lau does as an illustrator is ordinary; his art leaps off the page and dazzles my imagination. It makes you believe that this is the great battle for the survival of the Galactic Federation ever.

Andrew Dalhouse's lovely colors bring new meaning to conflagration. Intergalactic planetary destruction usually only looks this good in movies with the help of CGI. Letterer Taylor Esposito goes symphonic with his fonts. I can feel the sound his lettering imparts.

I'm having a blast reading Space Ghost Volume One, dear readers. I am running out of words to praise this, but I won't run out of desire to read it.

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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Advanced Comics Review: "SUPERGUY #1" is a Super-Duper Great Read

SUPERGUY #1

STORY: Anthony Iannaccio

SCRIPT: Anthony Iannaccio

ART: Joey Murphy

COLORS: Joey Murphy

LETTERS: Joey Murphy

COVER: Joey Murphy

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Ahmed Raafat; Dominque Barlow; Billy Lahiff

28pp, Color, $10.00 U.S., $13.00 (variants); reward bundles

Superguy created by Anthony Iannaccio and Joey Murphy

“There Goes My Hero”

Superguy #1 is a new comic book from writer Anthony Iannaccio and artist Joey Murphy. The series follows the adventures and misadventures of a self-absorbed superhero, who is usually in his underwear, and his earnest robot sidekick, who has a mysterious and likely dark past. The story and script are by Iannaccio and the art, colors, and lettering are by Murphy.

Superguy #1 (“There Goes My Hero”) opens in Thebig City, specifically Thebig City Elementary School. It was supposed to be the school's “Graduation Day,” but that has been canceled so that they can have “Superguy Day!” Although the kids are excited to see Thebig City's favorite superhero, that superhero, the aforementioned Superguy, can't be bothered to show up on time.

Superguy can't even be bothered to do his job, so that's why his loyal sidekick, Robotguy, steps into the job and starts saving the day. Eventually, however, that is going to rub a super-someone the wrong way. Before long, there is a battle for the ages, and no one really understands how bad it will get or how many players are watching from the sidelines.

THE LOWDOWN: Last year, Anthony Iannaccio sent me a PDF copy of a Superguy preview story that he and Joey Murphy produced. Iannaccio also generously provided me with an advanced PDF copy of Superguy #1, which is the subject of a new Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.

I was really impressed by the Superguy preview I read last year. It was the kind of comic book story that young'un Leroy would have flipped over. I can say the same for Superguy #1, and I've been trying to figure out why that is so.

Perhaps, I think of Superguy as something that will appeal to comics readers, young and old, because it seems as much like a broadcast network animated television series as much as it is actually a comic book. Superguy is sort of like Fox's long-running animated series, “The Simpsons,” combined with humor of Seth MacFarlane, another Fox animation mainstay, but without the more obviously adult content. Superguy #1 is a humor comic book that does not downplay the superhero fantasy elements, and it is also a superhero comic book that does not temper the humor. Perhaps, I see its potential for broad appeal in the fact that it broadly embraces more than one or two genres and subgenres.

Iannaccio and Murphy are a good team; they are like a seamless pairing that cannot go astray. Iannaccio offers a suite of snappy comedy, sharp dialogue, and lively jokes that it usually takes a team of writers to produce. This is an impressive feat on his part. Murphy is a humor comics artist with solid drawing and storytelling chops. There is a consistency in his compositions that suggests a veteran talent, even if Murphy hasn't been doing this a long time. Murphy's art and storytelling depicts humor and comic timing so well that this also makes it seem like he is an old hand at comedy and comics.

In his own way, Superguy is a lovable man-child, full of jealousies and self-importance. Robotguy is a stand-up hero, as good as any human good guy, but destined to face his darkness. I love these characters. I love this comic book. I love what Iannaccio and Murphy are doing here. So far, their Superguy #1 Kickstarter is doing exceedingly well. I hope they make enough dough to fund at least a few more issues of Superguy because this comic book is a super-read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of pure comic book fun will want to read Superguy #1 over and over again.

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

Linktree for Anthony Iannaccio social media: https://linktr.ee/mrtonynacho

Link to the Joey Murphy's IG page: https://www.instagram.com/jorion/

Kickstarter link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mrtonynacho/superguy-1

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Saturday, March 22, 2025

Comics Review: "ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1" is the Dark Knight Begins

ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1

DC COMICS

STORY: Scott Snyder

ART: Nick Dragotta

COLORS: Frank Martin

LETTERS: Clayton Cowles

EDITOR: Katie Kubert

COVER: Nick Dragotta with Frank Martin

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Wes Craig; Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair; Mitch Gerads; Ian Bertram; Jim Lee and Scott Williams

36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2024)

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

“The Zoo” Part One of Five

Batman is a DC Comics superhero that was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and that debuted in the Detective Comics #27 (apparently first published on March 30, 1939). Batman is the alias of Bruce Wayne, a wealthy American playboy, philanthropist, and industrialist who resides in Gotham City. Batman's origin story begins when he is a child and his parents are murdered in front of him, leading young Bruce to swear vengeance on the city's criminal element.

The story of Bruce Wayne and of how he became Batman has been its own “Goldberg variations.” [2012's Batman: Earth One Volume One is an example.] Now, comes a new line of DC Comics, “Absolute Comics,” which is similar to Marvel's “Ultimate Comics” line, in that Absolute Comics presents alternate versions and the changed narratives of familiar DC Comics characters and their back stories. Welcome to “Earth-Alpha” and the “Absolute Universe.”

The first entry in the Absolute Comics line is the recently launched comic book series, Absolute Batman. It is written by Scott Snyder; drawn by Nick Dragotta; colored by Frank Martin; and lettered by Clayton Cowles. In the new series, Batman/Bruce Wayne isn't a billionaire with seemingly unlimited resources, but he is still a vigilante by night and now, a thug in the streets.

Absolute Batman #1 opens with a glimpse into the past. There, we see the incident that spurred young Bruce Wayne onto the mission of 24-year-old Bruce Wayne. Wayne is a talented, multi-skilled, much-employed, blue-collar civil engineer who fights crime at night as a mysterious vigilante.

In the present day, Alfred Pennyworth is some kind of operative, a secret agent working for a mysterious agency. His tasks including spying, monitoring, and killing for his bosses. He is currently in Gotham City investigating the “Party Animals,” apparently a criminal organization with worldwide reach. These “Party Animals” are in Gotham, killing and terrorizing in the most brutal fashion, and Pennyworth has an eye on them and on a new player in town.

However, this new player in town is like no other Gotham “player,” and he's going to show the Party Animals that he can be every bit as ruthless and as violent as they can be... and more. Who is “the Batman?” Without the mansion...without the money...without the butler...what's left is the Absolute Dark Knight!

THE LOWDOWN: I do not receive review PDFs from DC Comics. I bought a copy of the fifth printing of Absolute Batman #1 from “Stronghold Collectibles” at their booth at the recent Louisiana Comic Con 2025 (March 8-9) in Lafayette, Louisiana. So I'm free to say what I want, although, as I remember it, DC does not require people who receive access to their review PDFs to give positive reviews.

Honestly, I enjoyed reading Absolute Batman #1, not as much as I enjoyed series writer Scott Snyder's 2011 Batman #1 (or Tony S. Daniel's 2011 Detective Comics #1). But I enjoyed it nonetheless. My reading of this first issue suggests that Absolute Batman #1 seems like a kind of prequel or perhaps actual reboot of sorts of Frank Miller's seminal graphic novel, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (DKR). I could see the Batman/Bruce Wayne of Absolute Batman becoming the 50-year-old Batman/Bruce Wayne of DKR more than I can see the various iterations of Batman in Detective Comics or in the Batman ongoing comic book becoming DKR's vigilante.

Absolute Batman artist, Nick Dragotta, seems to be doing a riff on the art and compositions of Snyder's 2011 Batman collaborator, artist Greg Capullo. I'm impressed with Dragotta's take on Batman's costume, but his graphical style is still The New 52 era Capullo. That said, Dragotta's colorist, Frank Martin, an accomplished comic book colorist, seems to be going vintage in his coloring for this first issue, which I think recalls Richmond Lewis' coloring of David Mazuchelli art on the famous story arc, Batman: Year One (1987).

I can say that letterer Clayton Cowles is just being his good old self, and that is very good enough. His shifting fonts give Absolute Batman #1 style and flair, and the lettering actually encouraged me to really invest my imagination in the story.

I enjoyed this first issue enough that I may seek out more individual issues of Absolute Batman. Or I might just wait for the trade paperback collection. I can say that I'm interested in reading a Batman comic book on a regular basis more than I have been for at least half a decade.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Batman comic books will want to read Absolute Batman.

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

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