Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for February 2, 2022

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

NOV211412 ABOVE & BELOW THE VOYAGES OF VIRIGILIO $25.00

NOV211535 ARCADE WORLD GN CHAPTERBOOK HC VOL 01 DINO TROUBLE $17.99

NOV211534 ARCADE WORLD GN CHAPTERBOOK VOL 01 DINO TROUBLE $9.99

DEC211344 ARCHIES VALENTINE`S DAY SPECTACULAR #1 $2.99

OCT211883 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR A VITORINO $7.99

OCT211884 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR B SEAN CHEN $7.99

OCT211885 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR C TAO $7.99

OCT211886 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR D JOSH BURNS $7.99

OCT211887 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR E CAANAN WHITE $7.99

OCT211888 BELLE ANNUAL #25 CVR F BLANK SKETCH ED $10.00

DEC212007 BLACK CLOVER GN VOL 28 $9.99

NOV211500 BONYEER AROMATIC #1 CVR A PIYOTYCHO $4.99

NOV211501 BONYEER AROMATIC #1 CVR B KLAUS $4.99

NOV211502 BONYEER AROMATIC #1 CVR C GIENI $4.99

NOV211503 BONYEER AROMATIC #1 CVR D HONNE $4.99

NOV211504 BONYEER AROMATIC #1 CVR E BLANK SKETCH $9.99

NOV211636 CARRIERS #3 CVR A BELCHER AND VALENCIA $3.95

AUG211487 CAT SHIT VOL 03 #1 (OF 3) $3.99

NOV211044 CEREBUS IN HELL 2022 PREVIEW ONE SHOT $4.00

DEC211987 CHAINSAW MAN GN VOL 09 $9.99

NOV211075 CHICKEN DEVIL #4 $4.99

AUG211491 COOKIE & KID VOL 02 #4 $3.99

OCT211092 COSMOS TP $14.99

NOV211972 DANCE IN VAMPIRE BUND AGE OF SCARLET ORDER GN VOL 05 (MR) (C $12.99

NOV211638 DARK AGE TP VOL 01 $19.95

NOV211068 DARK RED WHERE ROADS LEAD ONESHOT #1 CVR A HOWELL $6.99

DEC211556 DF BATMAN #118 HOMAGE CGC GRADED $99.99

DEC211560 DF DEVILS REIGN #1 PAREL COMICXPOSURE EXC $29.99

DEC211990 DR STONE GN VOL 20 $9.99

AUG212056 FAB GN BOOK 01 PANDORA $7.99

DEC211401 FIGHT GIRLS TP $9.99

OCT211483 GEORGE HERRIMAN LIBRARY HC KRAZY & IGNATZ 1922-1924 $49.99

NOV211678 GERALDINE PU & HER CAT HAT TOO YR GN $6.99

NOV211679 GERALDINE PU & HER CAT HAT TOO YR HC GN $17.99

FEB211041 GOLD DIGGER #285 $3.99

SEP211199 GOON #14 (RES) $3.99

NOV211439 GREATEST THING GN $17.99

NOV211440 GREATEST THING HC GN $25.99

DEC211590 HALCYON HC $24.99

OCT211086 HATH NO FURY #4 $3.99

NOV211779 HUMAN REMAINS #5 CVR A CANTIRINO $3.99

NOV211780 HUMAN REMAINS #5 CVR B HIXSON $3.99

OCT212070 IM IN LOVE WITH VILLAINESS GN VOL 02 $12.99

OCT211997 INTERSPECIES REVIEWERS GN VOL 06 (MR) $13.00

DEC211988 JOJOS BIZARRE ADV PT 5 GOLDEN WIND HC VOL 03 $19.99

DEC211989 JUJUTSU KAISEN GN VOL 14 $9.99

AUG211493 JUNGLE COMICS #5 $3.99

DEC212002 KINGS BEAST GN VOL 05 $9.99

NOV218870 KNIGHT OF ICE GN VOL 09 $12.99

SEP211613 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #290 $6.99

SEP212147 LAUGHING UNDER THE CLOUDS VOL 06 $12.99

SEP211156 LEGEND & THE VANGUARD #1 $3.99

NOV218871 LOVESICK ELLIE GN VOL 02 $10.99

NOV211640 MACHINE GIRL TP VOL 02 SPACE INVADERS (RES) (MR) $14.95

NOV211965 MULTI MIND MAYHEM GN VOL 02 ISEKAI TENSEI SOUDOUKI (MR) $12.95

NOV211987 MUSCLES ARE BETTER THAN MAGIC GN VOL 04 $12.99

NOV211221 NINE STONES #6 CVR A SPANO (MR) $3.99

NOV211222 NINE STONES #6 CVR B SPANO (MR) $3.99

NOV211217 NOBODYS CHILD #5 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99

AUG212057 ONLY HOPE GN BOOK 01 FEAR FARM $7.99

NOV218872 ORIENT GN VOL 07 $10.99

SEP211233 PIXELS OF YOU GN $16.99

SEP211234 PIXELS OF YOU HC GN $22.99

DEC211391 PRIMOS #1 (OF 4) CVR A JOHNSON (MR) $3.99

DEC211392 PRIMOS #1 (OF 4) CVR B DEODATO JR (MR) $3.99

DEC211393 PRIMOS #1 (OF 4) CVR C BARBERI 15 COPY INCV (MR) $3.99

DEC211394 PRIMOS #1 (OF 4) SPANISH ED (MR) $3.99

NOV211577 RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS HERICKTICS OF RICK #1 CVR A STERN $4.99

NOV211578 RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS HERICKTICS OF RICK #1 CVR B PATRICIA $4.99

DEC212006 SERAPH OF END VAMPIRE REIGN GN VOL 23 $9.99

NOV211048 SERIAL #10 (OF 10) $3.99

NOV211233 SHI NO KAGE #6 (OF 6) CVR A $3.99

OCT211093 SOUTHSIDE #2 CVR A CHEPE RIOS (MR) $3.99

DEC211714 SPEED REPUBLIC #1 CVR A PARASCANDOLO & MONTE $3.99

DEC211715 SPEED REPUBLIC #1 CVR B FABIAN LELAY $3.99

NOV211484 STAR WARS INNER JEDI HC $19.99

DEC211439 STARTUP #1 STARTING POINT $4.99

OCT211368 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #131 COSPLAY PHOTO CVR ED (MR) $19.99

OCT211370 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #131 DLX LITHO ED (MR) $19.99

SEP211157 TITAN THE ULTRA MAN #1 $3.99

AUG212058 UNITED STATES OF MAGIC GN BOOK 01 GRAND THEFT GLOBAL $7.99

OCT211095 WAR GUARD #1 $2.99

DEC212008 WE NEVER LEARN GN VOL 20 $9.99

DEC211346 WORLD OF BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #12 $8.99

DEC212000 YONA OF THE DAWN GN VOL 34 $9.99

JUN211186 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #84 CVR A MACCAGNI (MR) $4.99

JUN211187 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #84 CVR B MACCAGNI RISQUE (MR) $4.99

JUN211188 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #84 CVR C AVELLA (MR) $4.99

JUN211189 ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #84 CVR D AVELLA RISQUE (MR) $4.99

MAGAZINES

SEP211702 2000 AD NOVEMBER 2021 PROG PACK $26.50

NOV211323 COMIC SHOP NEWS (90CT BUNDLE) #1798 $PI

OCT211537 HORRORHOUND #92 $8.99

SEP211703 JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #438 $10.99

DEC211665 NIB NATURE $14.95

NOV218144 STAR WARS INSIDER #208 FOC VAR $9.99

OCT218860 STAR WARS INSIDER #208 FOC VIRGIN VAR $9.99

NOV211739 STAR WARS INSIDER #208 NEWSSTAND ED $9.99

NOV211740 STAR WARS INSIDER #208 PX ED $9.99

BOOKS

AUG201046 BLACK PANTHER MY MIGHTY MARVEL FIRST BOOK BOARD BOOK $10.99

OCT212100 DISCIPLE OF LICH NOVEL SC VOL 02 $13.99

NOV212003 GRIMGAR OF FANTASY & ASH LIGHT NOVEL VOL 17 $13.99

JUL211466 ILLUSTRATION ART GALLERY THROUGH THE AGES PETER JACKSON HC ( $37.99

OCT211072 MAGNIFICENT WOMEN OF MARVEL POP UP PLAY & DISPLAY $16.99

SEP212135 NPC IN VILLAGE SIM GAME MUST BE REAL NOVEL VOL 02 $14.99

AUG212327 SEVEN DEADLY SINS OMNIBUS GN VOL 01 $19.99

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DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for February 1, 2022

DC COMICS:

Arkham City The Order Of The World #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Sam Wolfe Connelly), $3.99
Arkham City The Order Of The World #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman #120 (Cover A Jorge Molina), $4.99
Batman #120 (Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman #120 (Cover C Dan Hipp Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #120 (Cover D Jock Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman White Knight Presents Harley Quinn TP, $17.99
Dark Knights Of Steel #4 (Of 12)(Cover A Yasmine Putri), $3.99
Dark Knights Of Steel #4 (Of 12)(Cover B Joshua Middleton Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Dark Knights Of Steel #4 (Of 12)(Cover C Bengal Character Sheet Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #1 (Of 7)(Soundtrack Special Edition Rise Against With Flexi Single Broken Dreams Inc.)(2nd Printing), $24.99
Dark Nights Death Metal #2 (Of 7)(Soundtrack Special Edition Grey Daze With Flexi Single Featuring Anything Anything)(2nd Printing), $24.99
Dark Nights Death Metal #3 (Of 7)(Soundtrack Special Edition Denzel Curry With Flexi Single Featuring Bad Luck)(2nd Printing), $24.99
Detective Comics #1051 (Cover A Irvin Rodriguez), $4.99
Detective Comics #1051 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Detective Comics #1051 (Cover C Jorge Fornes Card Stock Variant), AR
Joker Presents A Puzzlebox #7 (Of 7)(Cover A Chip Zdarsky), $4.99
Joker Presents A Puzzlebox #7 (Of 7)(Cover B Reilly Brown Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Justice League Incarnate #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Gary Frank), $4.99
Justice League Incarnate #4 (Of 5)(Cover B Jorge Fornes Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Justice League Incarnate #4 (Of 5)(Cover C Chris Burnham Card Stock Variant), AR
Milestone Compendium Volume 1 TP, $59.99
Monkey Prince #1 (Of 12)(Cover A Bernard Chang), $3.99
Monkey Prince #1 (Of 12)(Cover B Stanley Artgerm Lau Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Monkey Prince #1 (Of 12)(Cover C Team Zao Dao Card Stock Variant), AR
Monkey Prince #1 (Of 12)(Cover D Habchi Hicham Card Stock Variant), AR
Monkey Prince #1 (Of 12)(Cover E Dustin Nguyen Card Stock Variant), AR
One-Star Squadron #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Steve Lieber), $3.99
Represent HC, $24.99
Sandman The Deluxe Edition Volume 5 HC, $49.99
Suicide Squad #12 (Cover A Eduardo Pansica Julio Ferreira & Marcelo Maiolo), $3.99
Suicide Squad #12 (Cover B Jonboy Meyers Card Stock Variant), $4.99
World Of Krypton #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Mico Suayan), $3.99
World Of Krypton #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Dave Johnson Card Stock Variant), $4.99

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Comics Review: HELL SONJA #2

HELL SONJA, VOLUME 1 #2
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Christopher Hastings
ART: Pasquale Qualano
COLORS: Kike J. Diaz
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Jae Lee with June Chung; Junggeun Yoon; Ken Haeser; Pasquale Qualano; Jimmy Broxton; Lucio Parrillo; Gracie the Cosplay Lass (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2022)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Robert E. Howard

Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated: February 1973) saw the debut of a high fantasy, sword and sorcery heroine, Red Sonja.  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 Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), the creator of the character, Conan the Cimmerian.

Red Sonja remained a fixture in comic books from then until about 1986.  In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring differing versions of the character.  One of those is a spin-off title, Hell Sonja.  The series is written by Christopher Hastings; drawn by Pasquale Qualano; colored by Kike J. Diaz; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  The series focuses on a group of women who called out to a god.  Now, Hell Sonja and the former champions work together to fill Hell's belly with would-be conquerors and those most deserving of its punishment.

Hell Sonja #2 opens on an Earth (number IHC-0501-29X3052) ravaged by flood.  The Hell Sonja team comprised of Red Sonja, Gold Sonja, Moon Sonja, and Blue Sonja hear the summons of a desperate sailor.  Potentially on Hell's menu is a ghost pirate ship that drives witnesses mad on sight, but things are a bit more complicated that procuring a meal for Hell.  If the Sonjas fail, they may end up creating something quite terrible, “the Fungiverse!”

THE LOWDOWN:   In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Hell Sonja #2, which is one of several Red Sonja-related comic books that I have read

I really wasn't feeling the first issue of Hell Sonja.  I do realize that writer Christopher Hastings had to do a lot of explaining, and he wanted to offer the first mission to us, dear readers.  With introductions out of the way, Hell Sonja #2 gets to be straight to the point, and I have to admit that I have warmed to the idea of team Hell Sonja feeding evil creatures to Hell.  It is rather interesting when you think of the menu possibilities.

Artist Pasquale Qualano embraces the widescreen possibilities of this story, and Kike J. Diaz layers surreal colors all over it.  Hell Sonja #2 is visually and graphically splashy, topped off by Jeff Eckleberry's crackling lettering.  I am ready to recommend this to readers who followed Sonjaversal.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja and of Sonjaversal will want to try Hell Sonja.

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


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The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Comics Review: "NIGHT OF THE GHOUL #2" Legit 2 Quit

NIGHT OF THE GHOUL #2 (OF 6)
comiXology/Best Jacket Press

STORY: Scott Snyder
ART: Francesco Francavilla
COLORS: Francesco Francavilla
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Francesco Francavilla
24pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (November 2021)

Age Rating: 15+

Night of the Ghoul co-created by Scott Snyder and Francesco Francavilla

Episode 02

Night of the Ghoul is a digital comic book miniseries created by writer Scott Snyder and artist Francesco Francavilla.  It is published by comiXology as part of its “comiXology Originals” line of digital comics.  This six-issue series will later be collected in trade paperback form by Dark Horse Comics.  Night of the Ghoul focuses on the dark conspiracy behind a lost horror film from 1936.

Night of the Ghoul finds film fanatic, Forest Innman, and his son, Orson, at an old folks home deep in the desert.  There, Forest meets one of the home's residents, Charles Patrick, who is really T.F. Merritt, a screenwriter and film director from the Golden Age of Hollywood.  In 1936, Merritt shot a a cursed horror film, “Night of the Ghoul,” that never made it to the silver screen.  A mysterious studio fire destroyed the footage and killed the cast and crew at the wrap-party.  The film became a legend, but no footage was ever recovered … until Forest finds some footage.  And the trouble begins.

Night of the Ghoul #2 opens inside the film, “Night of the Ghoul,” in the scene explaining what “the Ghoul” is.  Later, World War I ends and Sgt. Kurt Powell of Eagle Company returns to America with his fellow soldier, Johnny.  However, something is wrong with Kurt, and when he is reunited with Alex, his young son, the boy recognizes it immediately.  Johnny and Alex also overhear two officers from the ship that brought them home discussing something quite unsettling.

Leaving the film, the story returns to the nursing home.  There, Merritt explains his fate since the destruction of his film.  He also forces Forest to admit that he knows more than he has let on to the old man.  What is “The Order of the Fly?”  Meanwhile, Orson is trying to escape from his father by leaving the old folks' home, but he is discovering a series of disturbing things about the place.

THE LOWDOWN:  Francavilla and Snyder continue to work as a single creative unit; at least, that is the sense I get when I read this hugely entertaining comic.  However, the star here is artist Francesco Francavilla, whose seamlessly transforms Synder's script into the kind of spooky, atmospheric comics that is his signature work – such as Afterlife with Archie and The Black Beetle.

On Page 14, Francavilla draws Orson descending a staircase at the old folks' home.  Shadows that look like bony fingers reach out towards him, and for me, that image recalls the late Edward Gorey's animations for the opening of the television series, “PBS Mystery!”  It is both beautiful and delightfully scary.

I am recommending Night of the Ghoul because it is the kind of horror comic book that makes me remember my earliest horror comics experiences – Charlton Comics and Warren Publishing.  As I said in my review of issue #1, this is the kind of comic book that gives me a reason to keep reading comic books.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Scott Snyder and of Francesco Francavilla will want to try Night of the Ghoul.

A+

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


https://twitter.com/comiXology
https://twitter.com/DarkHorseComics
https://twitter.com/Ssnyder1835
https://www.instagram.com/ssnyder1835/
https://twitter.com/f_francavilla
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The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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BTS Digital Comic, "7Fates Chakho," is Now Live

WEBTOON and HYBE Launch 7FATES: CHAKHO in Collaboration with BTS

WEBTOON and HYBE are celebrating the launch with a series of digital billboards in New York’s Times Square, as well as landmarks in major urban centers, including Seoul, Bangkok, and Taipei

Other HYBE Original Stories DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR and THE STAR SEEKERS will follow the launch on WEBTOON

LOS ANGELES & SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WEBTOON, the world’s largest digital comics platform, and HYBE have announced that the highly-anticipated 7FATES: CHAKHO is now available worldwide in ten languages. The first episode of the webcomic created in collaboration with 21st century pop icons BTS is now available on WEBTOON, with new episodes available weekly.

    “Chakhogapsa'' tiger hunters of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. The story is HYBE’s reinterpretation of traditional Korean tiger tales and a mythological world of wild beasts. ”

To celebrate the global webcomic debut, WEBTOON has launched a series of digital billboards featuring BTS members and select scenes from 7FATES: CHAKHO. The billboards will be brought to life in select major urban centers around the world, including New York’s Times Square, Seoul, Bangkok and Taipei. These digital billboards follow a wildly successful BTS social media teaser video that accumulated more than 50 million views.

7FATES: CHAKHO is a dynamic story following seven young men bound by fate. After growing up together through a series of trials and tribulations, they must become a unified group of seven to unlock their destiny. 7FATES: CHAKHO is an urban fantasy story set in the near future, inspired by the "Chakhogapsa'' tiger hunters of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. The story is HYBE’s reinterpretation of traditional Korean tiger tales and a mythological world of wild beasts.

WEBTOON and HYBE will also release original webcomics DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR and THE STAR SEEKERS, created in collaboration with HYBE artists ENHYPEN and TOMORROW X TOGETHER respectively. Each webcomic will be released globally on WEBTOON.

WEBTOON’s HYBE collaboration is part of the previously-announced Super Casting campaign, a group of global partnerships that bring some of the world’s most exciting entertainment companies to WEBTOON. Super Casting allows major entertainment brands to work with WEBTOON to extend incredible IP and entertainment franchises to new platforms, fans, and formats such as web novels and webcomics. Working with HYBE, WEBTOON continues its global leadership in building and nurturing global fandoms online.


About WEBTOON:
WEBTOON® is the world's leading digital platform for visual storytelling. As the first modern digital publishing and self-publishing platform for digital comics, WEBTOON has revolutionized the way visual stories are created and consumed, allowing anyone to become a creator.

WEBTOON also has become a cultural and global phenomenon, pioneering the distribution and consumption of web-based comics. With an average of 72+ million monthly active users, more people consume WEBTOON series than watch most television shows. WEBTOON features a broad and diverse catalog of content from all over the world -- including romance, thriller, fantasy, comedy and more. WEBTOON is No.1 app among 16-24 year olds in Korea and also is in the top tier among the same group in the other countries.

Launched stateside in 2014, WEBTOON has thousands of creator-owned series with episodes updating daily. Also boasting partnerships with Legendary, POW!, Top Cow/Image, and more, WEBTOON takes storytelling to the next level. Creators have been nominated for multiple Eisner Awards, as well as winning a multitude of Ringo Awards. The WEBTOON app is free to download on Android and iOS devices.

About HYBE:
HYBE, formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment, is an entertainment lifestyle platform company that innovates the music industry under the mission "We believe in music". The company was listed on the KOSPI Market of Korea Exchange (KRX) in October 2020. HYBE has established its business ventures in entertainment lifestyle upon three pillars. The label division brings creatives centered around music and artists such as BTS, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, SEVENTEEN, ENHYPEN and ZICO. Solution operates specialized business units for video content, IP, learning and games. The platform division connects and expands all of HYBE's contents and services. Based on organic operations and synergies created in each field, HYBE aims to create top-notch content, expand fan experience, and make a difference for anyone who enjoys a music-based entertainment lifestyle.

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Comics Review: "DARK BLOOD #6" - An Ending of Fire, History and Science Fiction

DARK BLOOD #6 (OF 6)
BOOM! STUDIOS

STORY: LaToya Morgan
ART:  Moisés Hidalgo
COLORS: A.H.G. with Allison Hu (pp. 18-21)
LETTERS:  Andworld Design
EDITOR: Dafna Pleban
COVER: Valentine De Landro
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Juni Ba; Valentine De Landro; Tiffany Turrill
24pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (January 2022)

Dark Blood created by LaToya Morgan

Dark Blood is a 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 Moisés Hidalgo and Walt Barna; 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 powers.

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 #6 opens in 1955 – late into the Night of the Variance.  Avery confronts Dr. Carlisle and Dr. Marshall, and he learns that he is the “Variant,” the one who responded “positively” to their formula (apparently dubbed "Formula 687") and treatment.  Now, his powers are raging, and powerful as he is, it comes with a devastating cost.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Wright has finally caught up with Avery.  If Avery wants to see his wife, Emma, and daughter, Grace, again, the racist lawman insists that he must play by his rules.  But does he?  Can Avery make sure that no one ever goes through what he has?  Can he protect his wife and child?  Will it cost him everything to do this?

THE LOWDOWN:  I recently learned, via “CBS Evening News,” that the United States Air Force museum had been keeping a secret.  In 1949, a team from the famed all-Black “Tuskegee Airmen” won the first “Top Gun” contest.  This contest was a gunnery competition among pilots from across the Air Force.  However, the Air Force's record book listed the winner as “unknown.”

The winners' trophy was hidden in the bowels of the Air Force museum until a historian discovered it in 2005.  Now, the trophy is on display at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.  The Tuskegee Airmen have finally been recognized with Top Gun honor – 73 years after winning the first contest.

The “Red Tails” (the 332nd Fighter Group) were part of the Tuskegee Airmen, and in “Dark Blood,” Avery Aldridge” was a Red Tail.  I didn't take this revelation as mere coincidence that I learned of it less that a week before the release of the final issue of the Dark Blood comic book miniseries.

In Dark Blood, television writer-producer LaToya Morgan (AMC's “TURN: Washington's Spies”) offers a comic book that is steeped in the history of African-American participation in World War II.  Dark Blood is allegorical in the way that it references the “Tuskegee Experiment” (a study which observed the effects of untreated syphilis in Black men).  The series also opens at the dawn of the “American Civil Rights Movement” (1954-68).  Dark Blood has been historical.

Yet it was not until Dark Blood #5 that I realized how much this comic book is also a rip-roaring science fiction yarn.  The series' narrative blood is certainly Black history and culture, but Dark Blood's DNA is pulp science fiction literature.  Its pedigree is the world of weird science fiction and fantasy comic books that emerged after World War II.  While reading issue #5, the sci-fi reality of Dark Blood came at me like a space rocket.

Morgan, artists Moisés Hidalgo and Walt Barna, and colorist A.H.G. have presented readers with a comic book series that looks and feels like it came out of the 1950s.  In an alternate reality, I can see it as something that William Gaines would have published through EC Comics.  Yes, Dark Blood would have been one more nail in EC's coffin, but Morgan's mixture of reality and sci-fi would have been a perfect fit for EC's mixture of morality and blood and guts genre.

Dark Blood #6 offers both – history and drama and also the astounding yearnings of golden age science fiction.  The drama has a powerful resolution, and the super-powers are the fireworks of comic book magic.  Superheroes and mutants – Dark Blood #6 promises readers an interesting future as the series comes to an end.  Whatever may come, what we have now in Dark Blood, dear readers, it is a blast to read.  And if you haven't read it yet, Dark Blood flows at comiXology.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of golden age science fiction and of super science fiction comic books will want to read 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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https://twitter.com/AHGColor
https://twitter.com/andworlddesign

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The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Comics Review: The Army of Darkness 1979 #5 Ends the Series with a Battle Royale

THE ARMY OF DARKNESS 1979 VOLUME 1 #5
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Edu Menna
COLORS: Dinei Ribero
LETTERS: Troy Peteri
EDITOR: Joe Rybandt
COVER: Francesco Mattina
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Arthur Suydam; Junggeun Yoon; Stuart Sayger; Ken Haeser; Francesco Mattina
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2022)

Rated Teen+

Army of Darkness is a 1992 comic horror film and the third film in the Evil Dead film franchise.  The film focuses on the series' lead character, Ash Williams (portrayed by actor Bruce Campbell), as he is trapped in the Middle Ages and battling an army of undead warriors.

In 1992, Dark Horse Comics released a three-issue adaptation of Army of Darkness, and in 2004, Dynamite Entertainment acquired the rights to produce comics based on the Army of Darkness film, featuring Ash as the main character.

The most recent Army of Darkness comic book in the Dynamite catalog is The Army of Darkness 1979.  It is written by Rodney Barnes; drawn by Tom Garcia and Edu Menna; colored by Dinei Ribero; and lettered by Troy Peteri.  In the new series, Ash Williams finds himself in late 1970s New York City.  Not only is he fighting his usual adversaries, the Deadites and the Necronomicon, but he is also caught in a turf war between rival street gangs.

The Army of Darkness 1979 Volume 1 #5 opens with Ash reminiscing.  Of course, it ends badly.  Back to reality:  Ash is now the leader of “The Half Deads,” and he's leading them against “The Warlocks.”  The problem is that Bishop, leader of The Walocks, is in possession of the Necronomicon … and former leader of The Half Deads, Lilith, is now Bishop's arm candy.

So now, it will take a battle royale of all the gangs of New York to stop Bishop and The Warlocks.  Can Ash lead them against an invasion of Deadites?  Can Lilith stay true … to someone?

THE LOWDOWN:  In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is The Army of Darkness 1979 Volume 1 #5, which is the fifth Dynamite Entertainment Army of Darkness comic book I have read.

Writer Rodney Barnes brings The Army of Darkness 1979 to a rousing conclusion.  It's his best issue of the series; not only is the action good, but issue #5 is the funniest.  Edu Menna also turns in the series' best art, topped by Dinei Ribero's hot colors.  It's all under a … dynamite Francesco Mattina cover.

When I finished reading Army of Darkness 1979 Volume 1 #1, I didn't think I want more when I finished the final issue.  But Yes! to more Rodney Barnes Army of Darkness, I say.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Army of Darkness comic books and of the franchise, in general, will want to read The Army of Darkness 1979.

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


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Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).