Comics Review: "DARK BLOOD #4" is Hungry Like the Wolf

DARK BLOOD #4 (OF 6)
BOOM! STUDIOS

STORY: LaToya Morgan
ART:  Moisés Hidalgo
COLORS: A.H.G.
LETTERS:  Andworld Design
EDITOR: Dafna Pleban
COVER: Valentine De Landro
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Juni Ba; Valentine De Landro; Jonboy Meyers
24pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (October 2021)

Dark Blood created by LaToya Morgan

Dark Blood is a new six-issue comic book miniseries created and written by screenwriter LaToya Morgan (AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” “Into The Badlands”).  Published by BOOM! Studios, the series is drawn by Walt Barna and Moisés Hidalgo; colored by A.H.G.; and lettered by Andworld Design.  The series focuses on a Black World War II veteran who discovers that he has strange new abilities.

Alabama, 1955.  After leaving his job at the diner, “Hardy's Eats,” Avery Aldridge, also known as “Double A,” has a fateful encounter with a racist.  Double A is a highly decorated World War II soldier, a former fighter pilot, a member of the soon-to-be-legendary “Red Tails.”  He is expected to act like a boy … when he is actually a very powerful man.  But this is “The Night of the Variance,” and everything is going to start to change – even the things some don't want changed.

Dark Blood #4 opens in 1955 – the Night of the Variance.  Avery is on the run with Sheriff Wright closing in on him.  Avery is certain that the police have blamed him for an accidental death that occurred behind the diner where he works.  His younger brother, Theodore “Theo” Aldridge, is waiting for him, and li'l bro will be shocked by what Avery has to reveal.

Those revelations include what happened ten years ago in World War II – behind enemy lines – when Avery had an encounter with ... werewolves.  Can Avery clear his name and find out what's really happening to him?

THE LOWDOWN:  I thought that the term “Nazi werewolves” was merely some B-movie or cheap sci-fi/horror trope.  Though Pocket, the reading list service, I discovered Lorraine Boissoneault's article for Smithsonian Magazine that detailed the World War II guerrilla fighters referred to by that name.

In Dark Blood, television writer-producer LaToya Morgan (AMC's “TURN: Washington's Spies”) offers a comic book that flows through multiple genres, including science fiction and fantasy, horror, and history.  It is a reality-based drama that treads the borders of the fantastic the way Rod Serling did in his legendary TV series, “The Twilight Zone.”

On the other hand, Dark Blood #4 throws readers into the thrill of the hunt, as two similar kinds of human wolves hunt Avery, ten years apart.  In this way, Morgan reminds us that there are thrills, chills, and action flowing in Dark Blood.  Like EC Comics' famous war comics titles, Frontline Combat and Two-Fisted Tales, Dark Blood drops readers behind enemy lines into the treachery and menace of war.  In 1955, as Avery eludes his pursuers, fans may be reminded that there is nothing like the thrill of watching an unsuspecting person wander into the Twilight Zone and end up being hunted.

In Dark Blood #4, Moisés Hidalgo, who also drew issue #3, delivers the kind of comic book storytelling that will have readers burning through the pages, and rereading much of the it.  The naturalism of his illustrative style keeps the story from being constrained by time.  What happens is more important than when it happened, making the story feel timeless.  In a sense, what occurs in Dark Blood #4 is always an occurrence – to one person and another, at one time and another.

A.H.G.'s beautiful colors on Hidalgo's art brings forth the power of this story, and for me, it's like riding lightning through Avery's (mis)adventures.  As usual, Andworld Design's lettering throws gasoline on the fire.

So, dear readers, at least you who need a change from what you read every month, here it is.  Like Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander's Killadelphia (Image Comics), Dark Blood is the … new blood your imaginations need.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of modern science fiction and dark fantasy comic books will want to drink Dark Blood.

A+

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


Dark Blood trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzzXIYr_FrA&feature=youtu.be
Dark Blood first loook: https://www.boom-studios.com/wordpress/archives/dark-blood-1-first-look/
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Marvel Entertainment Announces "Savage Spider-Man" Comic Book for Feb. 2022

Spider-Man Goes Wild in "Savage Spider-Man," A Thrilling New Mini-Series by Joe Kelly and Gerardo Sandoval

Joe Kelly and Gerardo Sandoval's 'Savage Spider-Man' arrives in February 2022

Writer Joe Kelly just finished taking Peter Parker on the most action-packed, pulse-pounding, adrenaline-pumping adventure in Spider-Man history in Non-Stop Spider-Man... And he’s only just getting started.

This February, spinning out of Non-Stop Spider-man comes the five-issue miniseries, SAVAGE SPIDER-MAN.

Written by Kelly and featuring the distinctive and dynamic talents of artist Gerardo Sandoval, this all-new limited series will feature Spider-Man like you’ve never seen him... Peter Parker finds himself at the middle of the biggest, most wide-ranging adventure he’s ever had and out of the gate it has turned him into a savage beast! Forget everything you know about Spider-Man. All rules and regulations are out the door and Peter Parker may never be the same!

“You may think you’ve seen a monstrous or vicious Spider-Man before, but never like this,” says Spider-Editor Nick Lowe. “This book is so intense that you’re going to need to put it down between pages to get your breath back.”

"Spider-Man is always a huge challenge to draw, he’s not an easy character for an artist. But at the same time Spider-Man is a huge joy to draw and now we have a Savage Spider-Man who provides an even bigger challenge for an artist,” says Sandoval. “I have the pages that I am working on and I can say that I am doing my best work here for sure. Joe Kelly is the kind of writer that understands an artist needs enough room to create great illustrations and it makes my work easier and more fun. I really hope you enjoy this new book as much as I do!"

The latest evolution of Spider-Man begins when SAVAGE SPIDER-MAN #1 hits stands in February 2022.

SAVAGE SPIDER-MAN #1 (OF 5)
Written by JOE KELLY
Art by GERARDO SANDOVAL
Cover by NICK BRADSHAW

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Comics Review: "The Invincible RED SONJA #5" is Bad-Ass

THE INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #5
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
ARTIST: Moritat
COLORS: Matt Carter
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
EDITOR: Matt Idleson
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Celina; Frank Cho; Elias Chatzoudis; cosplay
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2021)

Rated Teen+

Red Sonja is female high fantasy and sword and sorcery hero.  She first appeared in Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated February 1973) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith.  Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Conan the Cimmerian's creator, Robert E. Howard.

In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring differing versions of the character.  One of those is The Invincible Red Sonja.  It is written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti; drawn by Moritat; colored by Matt Carter; and lettered by Dave Sharpe.  In this recently launched series, Red Sonja finds herself on a spectacular journey filled with pirates, mermaids, princesses, and political intrigue as the fate of two kingdoms hangs in the balance.

The Invincible Red Sonja #5 finds the She-Devil with a Sword is in the thrall of Lord Brelaq.  Now, she has embarked on a blood-soaked adventure, killing the armies of two kingdoms – at his command.  And no matter how many times she is wounded, Sonja can't die!  And she can't refuse her new master!

Meanwhile, as the kingdom mourns King Madacon (killed by Brelaq), his son, Prince Ederik, and his bride-to-be, Princess Zaria, seek help from an ersatz member of the royal family, Bahira Yakootah, the Lord of Thieves.  However, the request butts up against Bahira's complicated past, but it offers him a chance at revenge.  Meanwhile, Brelaq might be having a change of heart...

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is The Invincible Red Sonja #5, which is the second issue of the series that I have read.

Once again, an issue of this series opens under a gorgeous cover drawn by Amanda Conner and colored by Paul Mounts.  Also, once again, Conner and Palmiotti deliver a rousing story.  Or I can be honest and say that it is as thoroughly kick-ass as the best Conan the Barbarian comic books.  Conner and Palmiotti deliver a sterling series of twists and turns that will have readers zipping through this issue.  The Invincible Red Sonja #5 is truly epic because there are enough story elements here for at least two issues, if not three.

Here, artist Moritat's illustrations still remind me of the art of the late Vaughn Bode.  He blends over-the-top action with emotionally charged storytelling, which creates the kind of two-fisted mode that defines sword and sorcery comic books.  Matt Carter's colors give the story some extra edge, and Dave Sharpe's lettering pounds out a murderous pace.  This is the kind of creative team a She-Wolf with a Sword truly deserves.

I did not expect much from The Invincible Red Sonja #4, but after I read it, I suddenly had high expectations for the series.  The Invincible Red Sonja #5 lives up to those expectations, and as the penultimate chapter of this opening story arc, it sets the ground for a hellified ending.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja comic books will want to read The Invincible Red Sonja.

A

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


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Comics Review: DEJAH THORIS VERSUS JOHN CARTER #4

DEJAH THORIS VERSUS JOHN CARTER, VOL. 1 #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Dan Abnett
ART: Alessandro Miracolo
COLORS: Dearbhla Kelly
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Alessandro Miracolo; Sebastian Fiumara; (Rachel Hollon cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2021)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Dejah Thoris and John Carter are characters that first appeared in the serialized novel, Under the Moons of Mars (The All-Story, 1912), written by Tarzan creator, Edgar Rice Burroughs.  When it was first collected and published in hardcover, the novel was re-titled, A Princess of Mars (1917), the first of Burroughs' “Barsoom” novels, which were set on Barsoom, a fictional version of Mars.

Dejah was the title character of A Princess of Mars, the princess of the Martian city-state/empire of Helium.  John Carter was a Confederate veteran of the American Civil War who was transported to Mars via “astral projection” where he got a new body that was similar to the one he left behind on Earth.  John made several trips back and forth between Earth and Barsoom, and Dejah and John were married and had two children.

John Carter first appeared in comic books in the early 1950s, and Dejah has become a prominent comic book character since 2010 via Dynamite Entertainment.  Now, the star-crossed lovers are the stars of Dynamite's new comic book, Dejah Thoris Versus John Carter.  The series is written by Dan Abnett; drawn by Alessandro Miracolo; colored by Dearbhla Kelly; and lettered by Simon Bowland.  The series finds Dejah and John caught in a war to save Mars from an ancient race, “The Longborn,” that has returned to reclaim the planet, and their surprising ally, the rogue scientist, Rotak Gall.

As Dejah Thoris Versus John Carter #4 opens, Dejah Thoris, Queen of Helium, and John Carter, hero of Barsoom, are prisoners of Rotak Gall in Dar Shadeth, a ruined palace from ancient days that is also far from civilization.  Gall reveals that his true target for imprisonment was Carter, whose DNA he will use for an army of clones – vessels for The Longborn.  Trapped in an adjacent dimension, Dejah and John cannot escape without Gall's help.  Now, Dejah comes to a decision that could lead to their doom.

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Dejah Thoris Versus John Carter #4, the fourth issue of the series that I have read and only the fourth Dejah Thoris or John Carter comic book I have read.

In Dejah Thoris Versus John Carter, writer Dan Abnett has offered a comic book that offers traditional serial fiction thrills.  This isn't a great comic book, but it is a quick, delightful read, and I find myself wanting more by the time I reach the last page.  Abnett keeps things interesting with new twists and turns, and this cloning thing promises to be a twist supreme.

I highly recommend Dejah Thoris Versus John Carter to fans of Dan Abnett's comic book work.  I think it is good enough to warrant more after the current series ends.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Dynamite's Dejah Thoris and Barsoom comic books will want to try Dejah Thoris Versus John Carter.

B+

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


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Comics Review: "VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA #23" is All Action

VENGEANCE OF VAMPIRELLA VOLUME 2 #23
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Thomas Sniegoski
ART: Michael Sta. Maria
COLORS: Omi Remalante, Jr.
LETTERS: Troy Peteri
EDITOR: Joe Rybandt
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Ben Oliver; Stephen Segovia; Michael Sta. Maria; Lucio Parrillo; Marissa Ramirez (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2021)

Rated Teen+

Vampirella is vampire and female superhero created by the late author and science fiction and horror expert, Forrest J Ackerman, and comic book artist, Trina Robbins.  Vampirella first appeared in Vampirella #1 (Sept. 1969), the debut issue of a black and white horror comics magazine from Warren Publishing.  Writer-editor Archie Goodwin changed the character from a hostess of horror comics to a leading character in her own stories.

Vampirella publications were published by Warren into 1983, and after Warren's bankruptcy, Harris Publications obtained the character and published new and reprint Vampirella comic books into the mid-1990s.  In 2010, Dynamite Entertainment obtained the character and has been publishing new Vampirella material since then.

One of Dynamite's Vampirella comic book series is Vengeance of Vampirella, which was also the title of a Harris Comics series.  Vengeance of Vampirella Volume 2 is written by Thomas Sniegoski; drawn by Michael Sta. Maria; colored by Omi Remalante, Jr.; and lettered by Troy Peteri.  The series focuses on a reborn Vampirella, fighting the forces of Mistress Nyx and the Lords of Chaos to save humanity and then, trying to live in a new world after the war has been won.

Vengeance of Vampirella Volume 2 #23 opens fifteen years after the death of Nyx.  Vampirella and her traveling companion, Jeannine, are living their best road life … so to speak.  A world ravaged by Chaos is on the brink of change . . . but is it really?  Armed humans brutally attack Vampirella, delivering a lot of damage to her … before she delivers some back.

Much to her surprise, however, the attackers belong to an adversary from her past, one she thought gone.  There is a storm brewing, and it is “The Danse Macabre.”

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Vengeance of Vampirella Volume 2 #23.  It is the fourth issue of this series that I have read, and one of a growing number of Vampirella comic books that I have recently read.

Writer Thomas Sniegoski offers an issue that is cover to cover fight comics, and it is quite enjoyable.  That means the heavy lifting for this issue is done by artist Michael Sta. Maria, and his storytelling is invigorating reading.  This is fun Vampirella ultra violence, and Omi Remalante, Jr.'s rich colors convey the gore and disemboweling in over-the-top and subtle shades.  Finally, letterer Troy Peteri bumps up the fight comics jam with his fonts.

I like Vengeance of Vampirella Volume 2 the more I read it, and it worth following.  Vengeance of Vampirella Volume 2 #23 is a winner.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Vampirella will want to try Vengeance of Vampirella Volume 2.

A

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


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Comics Review: BARBARELLA Volume 2 #4

BARBARELLA VOLUME 2 #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Sarah Hoyt
ART: Madibek Musabekov
COLORS: Ivan Nunes
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Derrick Chew; Carla Cohen; Celina Kirchner; Mike Krome; Derrick Chew, Edu Menna; Madibek Musabekov; Lucio Parrillo; Rachel Hollon (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2021)

Rated Teen+

Barbarella is based on the creator created by Jean-Claude Forest

“Men of Steel”

Barbarella is a female, French, science fiction comic book hero.  Created by the late French comic book writer-artist, Jean-Claude Forest (1930-98), Barbarella first appeared in a comics serial for the French publication, V Magazine, in the spring of 1962.

In 2017, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing original English language Barbarella comic books.  The latest series is Barbarella Volume 2.  It is written by Sarah Hoyt; drawn by Madibek Musabekov; colored by Ivan Nunes; and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual.  In this new series, Barbarella and her pals, Vix, and Taln (the blind “angel” and A.I. friend.), travel through space in service of the Brotherhood, combating tyranny.

Barbarella Volume 2 #4 (“Men of Steel”) opens as Barbarella, Vix, and the revived Taln arrive on “Automata,” the 144 planet of the Qruyk Benevolence.  There, they hope to confront “The Lady,” but what they meet instead is a would-be assassin.  The trio finds the world populated solely by cyborgs, worker drones with human brains, but with no humanity left.  Barbarella hopes to turn that to her advantage, but is she really as successful at it as she thinks.

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Barbarella Volume 2 #4, which is the third issue of the title that I have read.  In fact, this is only the third Barbarella comic book that I have ever read.

Barbarella Volume 2 #4 has a nice use of familiar science fiction themes, especially concerning artificial people as slaves; what it means to be human; and the importance of human emotions and feelings.  However, this issue also feels like a holding pattern, because the important stuff is coming in another issue.

Madibek Musabekov art is as beautiful as its ever been in this series, made even prettier by Ivan Nunes' coloring.  As nice as this issue is, this series can and has offered better.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Barbarella will want to try Barbarella Volume 2.

B+

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


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BOOM! Studios Shipping from Diamond Distributors for October 27, 2021

BOOM! STUDIOS

JUN211019 BETTER ANGELS KATE WARNE ADVENTURE ORIGINAL GN TP $19.99

AUG211006 DARK BLOOD #4 (OF 6) CVR A DE LANDRO $3.99

AUG211007 DARK BLOOD #4 (OF 6) CVR B BA $3.99

JUL211073 FIREFLY #33 CVR A BENGAL $3.99

JUL211074 FIREFLY #33 CVR B CARPENTER $3.99

AUG211013 GOOD LUCK #5 (OF 5) CVR A CORONA $3.99

AUG210932 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #1 CVR A SHEHAN $3.99

AUG210933 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #1 CVR B DELL EDERA $3.99

AUG210934 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #1 CVR C SHEHAN FOIL INTERMIX VAR $4.99

AUG210935 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #1 CVR D BLANK SKETCH VAR $3.99

AUG211010 ONCE & FUTURE #21 CVR A MORA $3.99

JUN211103 SEVEN SECRETS TP VOL 02 $16.99

AUG210986 WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #9 CVR A DI MEO $3.99

AUG210987 WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #9 CVR B INFANTE $3.99

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