DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for November 2, 2021

DC COMICS:

American Vampire 1976 HC, $29.99
Arkham City The Order Of The World #2 (Of 6) (Cover A Sam Wolfe Connelly), $3.99
Arkham City The Order Of The World #2 (Of 6) (Cover B Yasmine Putri Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman #116 (Cover A Jorge Jimenez) (Fear State), $4.99
Batman #116 (Cover B Jorge Molina Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), $5.99
Batman #116 (Cover C Ann Maulina Retro Gamer Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), AR
Batman Noel HC, $19.99
Batman Reptilian #5 (Of 6) (Cover A Liam Sharp), $4.99
Batman Reptilian #5 (Of 6) (Cover B Cully Hamner), $4.99
Batman Reptilian #5 (Of 6) (Cover C Francesco Francavilla), AR
Batman Superman Authority Special #1 (One Shot) (Cover A Rodolfo Migliari), $5.99
Batman Superman Authority Special #1 (One Shot) (Cover B Jeehyung Lee Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Batman The Adventures Continue Season II #6 (Of 7) (Cover A Jorge Fornes), $3.99
Batman The Adventures Continue Season II #6 (Of 7) (Cover B Yanick Paquette Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Volume 1 Their Dark Designs TP, $24.99
Crush And Lobo #6 (Of 8)(Cover A Nick Robles), $3.99
Crush And Lobo #6 (Of 8)(Cover B Nicole Goux Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Daphne Byrne TP, $17.99
Dark Knights Of Steel #1 (Of 12) (Cover A Yasmine Putri), $3.99
Dark Knights Of Steel #1 (Of 12) (Cover B Joshua Middleton Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Dark Knights Of Steel #1 (Of 12) (Cover C Wayne Reynolds Team Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Knights Of Steel #1 (Of 12) (Cover D Yasmine Putri Character Sheet Card Stock Variant), AR
DC Comics Girls Unite Box Set, $39.99
DC Horror Presents Soul Plumber #2 (Of 6) (Cover A John McCrea), $3.99
DC Horror Presents Soul Plumber #2 (Of 6) (Cover B Kelley Jones Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Human Target #1 (Of 12) (Cover A Greg Smallwood), $4.99
Human Target #1 (Of 12) (Cover B Trevor Hairsine & Danny Miki), $4.99
Human Target #1 (Of 12) (Cover C Jenny Frison), AR
Icon And Rocket Season One #4 (Of 6) (Cover A Taurin Clarke), $3.99
Icon And Rocket Season One #4 (Of 6) (Cover B Doug Braithwaite Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Joker Presents A Puzzlebox #4 (Of 7) (Cover A Chip Zdarsky), $4.99
Joker Presents A Puzzlebox #4 (Of 7) (Cover B Ryan Brown Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Joker Volume 1 HC, $24.99
Justice League Infinity #5 (Of 7) (Cover A Meghan Hetrick), $3.99
Mister Miracle The Source Of Freedom #6 (Of 6) (Cover A Yanick Paquette), $3.99
Mister Miracle The Source Of Freedom #6 (Of 6) (Cover B Valentine De Landro Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Static Season One #4 (Of 6) (Cover A Khary Randolph), $3.99
Static Season One #4 (Of 6) (Cover B Nikolas Draper-Ivey Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Superman ’78 #3 (Of 6) (Cover A Amy Reeder), $3.99
Superman ’78 #3 (Of 6) (Cover B Lee Weeks Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Swamp Thing #9 (Of 10) (Cover A Mike Perkins), $3.99
Swamp Thing #9 (Of 10) (Cover B E.M. Gist Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Task Force Z #1 (Cover D Dan Mora Card Stock Variant), AR
Task Force Z #1 (Cover F Kyle Hotz Arkham Knight Monochrome Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
Teen Titans Academy #7 (Cover A Rafa Sandoval), $3.99
Teen Titans Academy #7 (Cover B Steve Lieber Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Y The Last Man Compendium Volume 1 TP (TV Tie-In Cover), $59.99

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Comics Review: "THE MAGIC ORDER 2 #1" Casts Invigorating First Spell

THE MAGIC ORDER 2 #1 (OF 6)
IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar
ART: Stuart Immonen
COLORS: Sunny Gho
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Stuart Immonen
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Greg Tocchini; Mark Chiarello; Ozgur Yildirim; Stuart Immonen
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2021)

Rated M / Mature

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix

The Magic Order was a six-issue comic book miniseries written by Mark Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel.  Published in 2018-19, The Magic Order focused on the sorcerers, magicians, and wizards that protect humanity from darkness and from monsters of impossible sizes.

A second six-issue miniseries, The Magic Order 2, has arrived.  It is written by Mark Millar; drawn by Stuart Immonen; colored by Sunny Gho; and lettered by Clem Robins.

As The Magic Order 2 #1 opens, it has been six months since Cordelia Moonstone cast that spell involving her late brother, Gabriel.  Right now, her brother, Regan, and his friend, Eddie, are dealing with a boy and his awful imaginary friend.  Meanwhile, Cordelia is living her best lust … er... life.

Now, it's time for a family reunion, of sorts, for the birthday of their niece, Gabriel's daughter, Rosetta “Rosie” Moonstone.  But the festivities are interrupted by a visit from the London chapter of the Order.  An old bloodline of dark forces is starting to flow again.

THE LOWDOWN:  I think The Magic Order is my favorite Mark Millar written, creator-owned comic book.  When it debuted three years ago, the series gave us a thrilling introduction to a new world and new universe of magic, magical beings, and magical conspiracies.  The Magic Order is really like a blend of Harry Potter with a Martin Scorsese mob film.

The Magic Order 2 #1 reads best if you, dear readers, read the first series, but I believe that most readers can love this first issue even if this is their first taste of the spell that is the universe of The Magic Order.  Millar throws the readers right into a riveting and alluring conspiracy, and every page is a wonder that makes me want more.  I could have screamed when I looked at the last page, knowing that I have to wait for more.  Truthfully, the opening of this second series is like the opening of the first; Millar throws the readers right into murder, mystery, dark magic, and conspiracy.

Stuart Immonen is probably the perfect replacement for original series artist, Olivier Coipel, as like Coipel, Immonen is a veteran artist with exceptional skills at composition and with strong storytelling skills.  The franchise does not miss a beat from first to second, mainly because Immonen's art looks similar to Coipel's.  Sunny Gho's colors convey the story's shifting moods, but also hint at the sense of menace and dread that hangs over this first chapter.  And as always, letterer Clem Robins makes sure we hear the coming fury.

Lord knows I've been waiting, and The Magic Order 2 #1 does not disappoint on any level.  The excitement, secrets, thrills, and magic are back.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order 2.

A+

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar
https://twitter.com/netflix
https://twitter.com/themagicorder
http://www.millarworld.tv/
www.imagecomics.com


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------

ThoughtScape Comics Announces New Kickstarter Campaign and Pop-Up Shop in November

Press Release:

THOUGHTSCAPE COMICS FOLLOW-UP KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCED + POPUP SHOP IN NOVEMBER

The News - The Kickstarter:

PORTLAND, OR - Matt Mair Lowery, writer of the critically-acclaimed Scout Comics YA sci-fi series Lifeformed, announced a new Kickstarter campaign, The ThoughtScape Comics Kickstarter 2022, to fund a three-issue continuation of ThoughtScape Comics, the anthology series he launched via Kickstarter earlier this year. The new campaign will run January 3rd through February 3rd, 2022.

The ThoughtScape Comics series, written by Mair Lowery, features art from a rotating roster of some the most compelling artists in indie comics today. In the tradition of 2000 AD, Dark Horse Presents, Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone, the subject matter, style and tone of ThoughtScape Comics varies from story to story as Mair Lowery and his collaborators explore the strange possibilities and unique horrors that present themselves when flawed humanity meets the unlimited possibilities of technology.

The campaign will be located at https://kickstarter.com/projects/mattmlpdx/thoughtscape-comics-2022. Folks interested in following the series can head to that url now and click the NOTIFY button to receive a message from Kickstarter when the project launches on January 3rd.

The Popup Shop:

To celebrate the announcement of the upcoming Kickstarter and to help folks who missed the Kickstarter get caught up, Mair Lowery is running a popup shop during November where folks can order physical copies of ThoughtScape Comics #1 (quantities are limited). The popup shop is located at https://bit.ly/TSCno1PopUpShop. The comic is also available in digital form in the same shop.

The ThoughtScape Comics Kickstarter 2022 Campaign Overview:

Goal: Fund THREE 50+ PAGE ISSUES of the new sci-fi anthology series ThoughtScape Comics with a single Kickstarter campaign.

Campaign runs: 1/3/22 - 2/3/22 | Shipping/Fulfillment: Three issues to be released quarterly beginning in June 2022.

Kickstarter URL: https://kickstarter.com/projects/mattmlpdx/thoughtscape-comics-2022

Additional Information:

https://bit.ly/ThoughtScapeComicsInfo

Even more additional information on Substack: https://mattmlpdx.substack.com

Background:

The Kickstarter campaign for the first issue of ThoughtScape Comics ran earlier this year and raised over $9,000. The comic, featuring a cover by Jenna Cha (Black Stars Above) and stories co-created and drawn (and inked, colored and lettered) by Dave Law (The Space Odditorium), Tyrell Cannon (Beef Bros, ERIS, IDKFA), Lisa Naffziger (Taking Back Tokusatsu) and Karl Slominski (Cult of Icarus), has been praised by creators and press alike:

"A beautifully designed high-concept cornucopia, full of playful layouts and innovative art."

- Liam Sharp: 2000 AD, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman

"ThoughtScape captures the dread of humanhood and the insidious nature of technocapitalism -- masterfully crafted as it is emotionally raw and daring."

- Shoshana Sachi: Producer/Writer, Doom Patrol (HBO Max)

"ThoughtScape Comics is the quintessential, beautifully packaged and expertly made serialized sci-fi anthology that comics needs right now." 

- Liana Kangas: Trve Kvlt, She Said Destroy, Black AF: Devil's Dye 

"Fantastic, artistically diverse and engaging stories of a cool far future world, all tied together with prodigious panache by writer Matt Mair Lowery." 

- Farel Dalrymple: THE OFTEN WRONG, Proxima Centauri, Pop Gun War, The Wrenchies

“A brilliant and beautiful distillation of the best things in both sci fi short stories and comics! ThoughtScape Comics is as captivating as it is haunting..."

- Ryan K Lindsay: Everfrost, Eternal, Deer Editor 

"Packed full of great ideas, fascinating world building and enigmatic characters who we can’t wait to find out more about... a really rather superb read."

- Pipedream Comics

Issues 2, 3 and 4 of ThoughtScape Comics will include collaborations and/or art from:

• Dave Law (The Space Odditorium, Wolf Punks, Wrong Magnetic Poles)
• Karl Slominski (Cult of Icarus, Evermore Falls)
• Tyrell Cannon (Beef Bros, ERIS, IDKFA)
• Jacob Edgar (DC Comics, Dark Horse, Metal Hurlant, IDW, Dynamite) with Lesley Atlansky (Short Order Crooks, Amazing World of Gumball)
• Lane Lloyd (God-Puncher)
• Jeremy Brooks (Radd Tuffman) with Marcus Cripps
• Luke Horsman (Oathbound, 2000 AD)
• George Pendle (Strange Angel: The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons)
• Brittany Matter (MIRANDA IN THE MAELSTROM, OFF INTO THE SUNSET)
• ...and more

Contact: Matt Mair Lowery:

mattmlpdx@gmail.com | https://twitter.com/mattmlpdx | http://thoughtscapecomics.com | http://kickstarter.com/projects/mattmlpdx/thoughtscape-comics-2022

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A Negromancer November 2021

Welcome to November 2021. Welcome to Negromancer 2.0.  This is the rebirth of Negromancer, the former movie review website as a new movie review and movie news site.

Support me on Patreon.

All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademark their respective owners.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 24th to 31st, 2021 - Update #25

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 10/29 to 10/31/2021 weekend box office is "Dune" with an estimated take of 15.53 million dollars.

MOVIES - From io9:  Daisy Ridley of Star Wars fame ("Rey Skywalker") returns to science fiction with the upcoming film, "Mind Fall."

TELEVISION - From THR:  Former First Lady Michelle Obama will appear on an episode of the ABC sitcom, "black-ish," on this its eighth and final season.

CELEBRITY - From TheBigIssue:  The veteran actor, Brian Cox, has a biography, "Putting the Rabbit in the Hat," and he has a lot to say about major stars with whom he has worked.

MOVIES - From Variety:  The sequel or second part of the recently released "Dune" has been greenlit by its production company, Legendary Entertainment.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:   The winner of the 10/22 to 10/24/2021 weekend box office is "Dune" with an estimated take of 40.1 million dollars?

From Negromancer:  Here is my review of "Dune" 2021.

From THR:  Wes Anderson’s "The French Dispatch" posted the top opening theater average of the pandemic era.  The Searchlight Pictures movie grossed $1.3 million from 52 cinemas in 14 U.S. markets, or $25,000 per location. 

------------------------

MUSIC/POLITICS - From Jacobin:  In an interview with "Jacobin," Michael Stipe, the former lead singer of the band, R.E.M., and film producer, explains why he supported Bernie Sanders.

MOVIES - From THR:   In March 1993, Brandon Lee, son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, was fatally wounded by a prop gun while filming "The Crow."  He was 28.  In the wake of an accidental shooting death on the set of the Western, "Rust," Brandon's sister, Shannon, and members of her family support banning real guns from Hollywood sets.

------------------------------

"RUST" ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING DEATH:

From Deadline:  This link will take you to Deadline's Halyna Hutchins page, which articles related to everything about her shooting death on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

From THR:   Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the film, "Rust," released a statement through her lawyers.  She says she had “no idea where the live rounds came from” that were recovered by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's during the investigation of the accidental on-set shooting death of Halyna Hutchins.

From Jacobin:  An opinion piece says that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' death on the set of the film, "Rust," was not a freak accident, but was about Alec Baldwin and his fellow producers' cost-cutting decisions.  Baldwin accidentally fired the gun that killed Hutchins.

From Deadline:   Two of executive producers on "Rust," Allen Cheney and Emily Salveson, disavow responsibility for the film's troubled production.

From THR:   Iconic "Ghostbusters" actor Ernie Hudson is reeling from the news of the death of Halyna Hutchins, like the rest of Hollywood. Hudson also appeared in the film, "The Crow," the film in which its star, Brandon Lee, was killed because of an on-set accidental shooting.  He also agrees with the call to ban real guns from movie sets.

From THR:  The Sheriff of Sante Fe County says that his office has recovered three guns and 500 rounds of ammunition from the set of the movie "Rust" where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed.

From Deadline:  Regarding criminal charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust," District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis, "all options are on the table - no one has been ruled out."

From THR:  Does Hollywood Need Guns? Will new regulations lead to an overreactions to a tragedy.

From Deadline:   "Rust" producers have opened an internal investigation into the fatal shooting on the set of the Western film.  They have hired outside lawyers to conduct interviews with the film's production crew.

From Deadline:  "Rust's" AD (assistant director), Dave Halls, has come under scrutiny in the wake of the on-set shooting death of the film's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The affidavit of Sante Fe Sheriff's Department Detective Joel Cano has been made public. It can be read at "Deadline."  The affidavit was for a search warrant from the property were the Western, "Rust," was being filmed.

From THR:  The production company behind "Rust" has shut the film down until the police investigation into the fatal, on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins is through.  The Sante Fe County Sheriff's Office has also revealed a timeline of the shooting.

From Deadline:  The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department confirmed Thursday night that Alec Baldwin “discharged” a prop gun on the New Mexico set of the movie, "Rust."  As a result, one crew member, director of photography Halyna Hutchins, was killed and director Joel Souza was injured and remains in a local hospital - his condition unknown.

From THR:  "Rust" director, Joel Souza, who was wounded in the accidental on-set shooting, says that he is "gutted" by the death of his cinematographer on the film, Halyna Hutchins.

From Deadline:  The fatal shooting on the set of "Rust" may have been "recorded" according to detective for Santa Fe Sheriff's Department.

From Deadline:  The production company behind the film, "Rust," will launch an internal safety review after the fatal accident that killed Halyna Hutchins; possible prior gun incidents; and a camera crew walkout.

From CNN:   Crew member yelled "cold gun" as he handed Alec Baldwin prop weapon, court document shows.

From Variety:  Actor Alec Baldwin releases statement on the death of Halyna Hutchins: "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness."

From Variety:  The prop gun that killed “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on during an on-set accident on Thursday contained a “live single round,” according to an email sent by IATSE Local 44 to its membership.

--------------------------

OBITS:

From Deadline:  The Canadian-born American comedian, actor, and satirist, Mort Sahl, has died at the age of 84, Tuesday, October 26, 2021.  Sahl's acerbic comedy and social commentary paved the way for comedians like Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, and George Carlin.  Sahl hosted the first Grammy Awards ceremony in 1959 and also co-hosted the 1959 Academy Awards.  His 1958 album, "Mort Sahl at Sunset" is considered the first stand-up comedy album.

From THR:   Actor James Michael Tyler has died at the age of 59, Sunday, October 24, 2021.  He was best known for his recurring role on NBC's "Friends," where he played "Gunther," the barista at the coffee shop, "Central Perk," a role he played for about 150 episodes.

From THR:  Hollywood storyboard artist, David Negron, Sr., has died at the age of 85, Tuesday, October 12, 2021.  Negron was also a film illustrator and conceptual painter.  Negron did conceptual work on "Raiders of the Lost Art" (1981), "Blade Runner" (1982), and "Jurassic Park" (1993).  He produced storyboards for such films as "Masters of the Universe" (1986), "Ghost" (1990), and "Evolution" (2001).

Comics Review: "Nita Hawes NIGHTMARE Blog #1" - Got It in My Blood

NITA HAWES' NIGHTMARE BLOG #1
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Rodney Barnes
LAYOUTS: Jason Shawn Alexander
ART: Jason Shawn Alexander and Patric Reynolds
COLORS: Luis Nct with mar and Silvestre Galotto
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello
COVER: well-BEE
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jason Shawn Alexander; Francesco Mattina; Patric Reynolds with Luis Nct
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (October 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

“The Fire Next Time” Part I: “Walking Into Shadows”

Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog is a new comic book series created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander.  It is a spin-off of their hit dark fantasy and vampire comic book series, Killadelphia (Image Comics).  Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog is written by Barnes and drawn by Alexander and Patric Reynolds; colored by Luis Nct; and lettered by Marshall Dillon.  The series focuses on a woman who is on a quest to root out the evil in her city.

Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog #1 (“Walking Into Shadows”) opens in Baltimore, Maryland.  Some call it “Bodymore, Murderland,” and it still is the home of Edgar Allan Poe and Freddie Gray.  We meet Dawnita “Nita” Hawes, the ex-lover of Jimmy Sangster, Jr., who has moved on from Baltimore to the vampire killing fields of Philadelphia a.k.a. “Killadelphia.”

But one does not need to leave Baltimore to find evil, which lurks the streets, adding more bodies to the name “Bodymore.”  For instance, Corson, a demon, has surfaced from the underworld and has possessed a once-wronged man.  Now, Corson's vengeance will come at the cost of humanity's despair.  Luckily for Baltimore, there is “Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog” where citizens can contact Nita, who has begun a quest to root the evil out of her city – with the help of dead brother, Jason.

THE LOWDOWN:  Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog may be Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander's spin-off of their hit horror comic book, Killadelphia, but they quickly establish the new comic book as its own thing.  Sister is doing it for herself, indeed.

Although Killadelphia is steeped in vampires, the series' river of blood begins in the poison waters of a highly-dysfunctional father-son relationship.  The narrative and plot elements are edgy and hard.  For Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog, writer Rodney Barnes offers Dawnita Hawes' wellspring of guilt and grief.  The narrative, at least this first chapter, is intimate – painfully so – and interior.  I think that by bringing in Nita's dead brother, Jason, a child killed by the “collateral damage” of American gun violence, as the voice in her head, Barnes forces readers to deal with Nita's existential crisis.  Next to that, we also get to enjoy some horror violence via Baltimore existential crisis – demons slicin', dicin', and choppin' up some human meat.

The art and graphical storytelling by Jason Shawn Alexander and Patric Reynolds bring that interplay of the intimate and the horror to life in the muted shades of Nita and in the hard-boiled gore of demonic homicide.  Alexander and Reynolds' art recalls the gloomy and imaginative art of the comic books that would give birth to DC Comics' Vertigo imprint:  Swamp Thing, Hellblazer, and The Sandman.

Luis Nct and his color team heighten the surreal and melodramatic moods of Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog #1.  Also, I think that Marshall Dillon's lettering gives this first issue what it needs, the sense of a soundtrack full of spooky sounds.  And I love it.  I hadn't even realized that this was Barnes and Alexander's new Killadelphia-related title until a few days ago.  Now, I am happy to recommend it to you, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Killadelphia will want Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog.

A+

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


https://twitter.com/TheRodneyBarnes
https://twitter.com/jasonshawnalex
https://twitter.com/luisnct
https://twitter.com/MarshallDillon
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/
http://rodneybarnes.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imagecomics/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Image-Comics-Inc/178643148813259
https://www.twitch.tv/imagecomics
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHmaKLo0FXWIPx-3n6qs3vQ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/image-comics/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

---------------

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/
https://twitter.com/MorganicInk
https://twitter.com/WaltBarna
https://twitter.com/AHGColor
https://twitter.com/andworlddesign

https://twitter.com/boomstudios
https://www.boom-studios.com/wordpress/
https://www.facebook.com/BOOMStudiosComics
https://www.instagram.com/boom_studios/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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