Thursday, March 17, 2022

Comics Review: "KING SPAWN #8" Holds the Throne

KING SPAWN #8
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Sean Lewis with Todd McFarlane
PENCILS: Javi Fernandez with Thomas Nachlick
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR-in-CHIEF: Thomas Healy
COVER:  Kevin Keane
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Don Aguillo
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2022)

Rated: “T/ Teen”

Spawn created by Todd McFarlane


Spawn is a superhero/antihero character that stars in the long-running comic book series, Spawn.  Created by writer-artist Todd McFarlane, Spawn first appeared in Spawn #1 (cover dated: May 1992).

Spawn was Albert Francis “Al” Simmons.  A career military man who becomes a highly capable assassin and dies a violent death.  He makes a deal with the devil, Malebolgia, in order to return to the living realm to see his wife one last time.  However, Al returns with almost no memories accept that his name is Al Simmons, and he learns that he is now a “Hellspawn” in service of Malebolgia.  Rebelling, Al Simmons, now “Spawn,” finds a new purpose in stopping evil.

King Spawn is one of three recently launched comic book series that join the original series to form the “Spawn Universe.”  This series is written by Sean Lewis; drawn by Javi Fernandez; colored by FCO Plascencia; lettered by Andworld Design.  King Spawn finds Spawn battling the members of a dark conspiracy that wants to force him to accept his crown.

As King Spawn #8 opens, the Court of Priests attack.  Their leader, Black Azrael, makes his strongest pitch.  Take the “God-Throne,” Spawn!  But Spawn is tired all the crap he has been taking for years.  He wonders: what if he did take the throne?

Later, the story moves to “the Green.”  Simon, a child who was one of the victims of the religious movement, Psalms 137, continues to learn.  He also hears a story about a woman and a renegade angel.  What they left behind in the Green may be close to awakening.

THE LOWDOWN:  King Spawn continues to be the best Spawn spin-off comic book to date.  It is a hybrid of dark fantasy, the supernatural, and superheroes, but the mixture is different with each issue.  Every issue of King Spawn is a surprise, each one stubbornly determined not to be the same as the previous issues simply because they are part of the same narrative.

Writer Sean Lewis continues to bring a rawness and an edge to each issue of King Spawn.  One of the things that he does really well is offer credible villains – adversaries that are not as powerful as Spawn, but that are as determined to get their way as he is.

I love Javi Fernandez's art and graphical storytelling; they are both surreal and fantastic and street level and gritty.  FCO Plascencia's colors are fuel thrown on Fernandez's blaze.  It is as if they want to burn down King Spawn to prove to readers that this comic book is really from Hell.

I'm a believer.  King Spawn is the real, hellified deal.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Spawn will want to read King Spawn.

[This comic book includes “Spawning Ground” the “March Mailbag” of letters to the editor.]

A+

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


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POSTER: Marvel Studios Releases New "MS. MARVEL" Teaser Poster


 
Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel is a new, original series that introduces Kamala Khan, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City. An avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, Kamala is a Super Hero mega-fan with an oversized imagination—particularly when it comes to Captain Marvel. Yet Kamala feels invisible both at home and at school—that is, until she gets super powers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. Life gets better with super powers, right? 

Iman Vellani stars as Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel. The cast also includes Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Nakli, Azhar Usman, Travina Springer and Nimra Bucha.

Episodes are directed by Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah, Meera Menon, and Sharmeen Obaid-ChinoyKevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, and Bisha K. Ali are the executive producers. Co-executive producers for the series are Sana Amanat and Trevor Waterson, and Bisha K. Ali is the head writer. 

Ms. Marvel premieres exclusively on Disney+ on June 8, 2022!  Below is a new teaser poster for the series:

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Wednesday, March 16, 2022

TRAILER: Disney+ Introduces Newest MCU Hero, Ms. Marvel, in a New Trailer

Disney+ wants you to say "Hello!" to the newest Super Hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, who's just trying to balance her high-school life, her family, and her emerging super powers. Find the brand new trailer below.

Marvel StudiosMs. Marvel is a new, original series that introduces Kamala Khan, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City. An avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, Kamala is a Super Hero mega-fan with an oversized imagination—particularly when it comes to Captain Marvel. Yet Kamala feels invisible both at home and at school—that is, until she gets super powers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. Life gets better with super powers, right? 

Iman Vellani stars as Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel. The cast also includes Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Nakli, Azhar Usman, Travina Springer and Nimra Bucha.

Episodes are directed by Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah, Meera Menon, and Sharmeen Obaid-ChinoyKevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, and Bisha K. Ali are the executive producers. Co-executive producers for the series are Sana Amanat and Trevor Waterson, and Bisha K. Ali is the head writer. 

Ms. Marvel premieres exclusively on Disney+ on June 8, 2022

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Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Comics Review: "Nyx #5" is an Excellent Fifth Issue

NYX #5
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Christos Gage
ART: Marc Borstel
COLORS: Jordi Escuin Llorach
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Rose Besch
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Rose Besch; Fernando Dagnino; Greebo Vigonte; Giuseppe Matteoni, Ken Haeser; K Dani; Mel Rubi; Jimmy Roxton
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2022)

Rated T+

Nyx created by Tom Sniegoski and Ed McGuinness

“Family Meeting”

Nyx is a Vampirella comic book character.  She is the daughter of Chaos the Mad God and a human woman, making Nyx half-demon and half-human, but she needs to feed on human life force in order to live.  Nyx was created by writer Tom Sniegoski and artist Ed McGuinness and first appeared in Harris Comics' Vengeance of Vampirella #23 (cover dated: February 1996).  She is a longtime enemy and sometimes friend of Vampirella.

The character now has her own solo comic book series, entitled Nyx.  It is written by Christos Gage; drawn by Marc Borstel; colored by Jordi Escuin Llorach; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  The series finds Nyx dealing with her emerging human side, although her demon side is still powerful and hungry for human life force.

As Nyx #5 (“Family Meeting”) opens, Nyx has been reading self-help books in order to better understand her human side.  She has also been reading “The Crimson Chronicles,” a powerful occult book, in order to unravel the mysteries of her demon side.

Nyx isn't the only one working on improvement.  Her father, the Mad God Chaos, has whipped himself into shape after being a bit of a mess.  Once again, he is an unstoppable force, so it is time for another family meeting.  He is about to make an offer to his daughter, and Nyx better not refuse?

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 Nyx #5, the fifth issue of the series that I have read.

What a cleverly written book Nyx is.  Christos Gage has made Nyx not only a thoroughly enjoyable comic book to read, but also a delightful character study.  Dark fantasy action-violence meets the former CBS sitcom, “Mom.”

Marc Borstel's efficient and proficient compositions capture and convey the offbeat nature of Gage's script.  I find Borstel's graphical storytelling to be most engaging, and I always find myself pleased after reading each issue of this exceptional comic book … which you should be reading, dear readers.  Nyx is the tryx for your boredom.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Vampirella comic books will want to try Nyx.

A

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


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Comics Review: "JENNIFER BLOOD Volume 2 #6" - Not Ready Make Nice

JENNIFER BLOOD VOLUME 2 #6
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Fred Van Lente
ART: Vincenzo Federici
COLORS: Dearbhla Kelly
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Tim Bradstreet
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS:  Joseph Michael Linsner; Lesley Leirix Li; Juggeun Yoon; Vincenzo Federici; Meghan Hetrick; Jamie Biggs; Tim Bradstreet; Rachel Hollon (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2022)

Rated Teen+

Jennifer Blood created by Garth Ennis and Adriano Batista.

“Blood Debt” Chapter One: “First, Do No Harm”


Jennifer Blood is a a comic book character created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Adriano Batista.  A suburban wife and mother by day, Jennifer Blood is a ruthless vigilante by night.  Born “Jessica Blute,” she took her mother's first name, Jennifer, and created the alter ego, "Jennifer Blood," and sought revenge against her father's family for the death of her parents.  The first Jennifer Blood comic book series ran for 36 issues from 2011 to 2014.

Jennifer Blood returns from the dead in a new comic book series, Jennifer Blood Volume 2.  It is written by Fred Van Lente; drawn by Vincenzo Federici; colored by Dearbhla Kelly and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  In the new series, someone is acting like Jennifer Blood, who is supposedly dead.  And this “copycat” loves to kill criminals just like the original did.  Would you believe that the this copy cat is her daughter once known as “Alice Fellows.”

Jennifer Blood Volume 2 #6 (“First, Do No Harm”) opens in “Sanctuary,” a secret illegal hospital located a half-mile underground.  There, Jennifer recovers from the injuries she earned in Bountiful Utah, a city for the worst east coast mobsters who were in the federal “Witness Protection Program.”

The physician in charge, Dr. Holtham, has discovered her identity and has contact “Platinum,” the criminal daughter of a mobster killed by Jennifer Blood years ago.  She wants revenge and is sending her best man, Paul Whiteman, to do the job.  Unfortunately, there is some confusion.  Luckily, Jennifer also has a killer on her side.

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 Jennifer Blood Volume 2 #6.  This is the sixth Jennifer Blood comic book I have read, although I had previously heard of the series.

Fortunately, Jennifer Blood Volume 2 #5 was not the final issue of this current series.  I thought it was, but issue six is here and Dynamite's answer to Marvel Comics' The Punisher is back to bust some caps and to spill blood by the buckets.

Writer Fred Van Lente's deranged imagination is still producing the good stuff, and this new story arc offers an intriguing new plot and lots of nice and nasty villains.  Artist Vincenzo Federici picks up right where he left off with some potent storytelling and he sells the new … team-up quiet well.  So, dear readers and lovers of gun action, why don't you join us.  Jen still has a target list.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Jennifer Blood will want to read Jennifer Blood Volume 2.

A

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


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Comics Review: The Invincible RED SONJA #8

THE INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #8
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; Carla Cohen; Jamie Biggs; Elias Chatzoudis; Amanda Conner, Rachel Hollon cosplay
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2022)

Rated Teen+

“Eight”

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 #8 opens as Red Sonja and Tuma continue to battle against the warriors and strange creatures of the Darklands.  Although she is able to hold them off for a moment, Sonja and company eventually succumb to their leader, Rok, and his forces.

Then, it is on to the city of Capellia.  Awaiting Sonja there is the living god, Tezzah, and in the god's arena, her son.  To save herself and her friends, Sonja must defeat him.

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 Invincible Red Sonja #8, which is the fifth issue of the series that I have read.

Simply put,  Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti are killing it.  They not only depict Sonja as the ultimate bad-ass female warrior, but they also pit her against the best adversaries.  It is pure sword and sorcery, and the result is one of the most enjoyable comic books that I am currently reading.  It is raw and funny.  It is violently crazy and crazily violent.

Artist Moritat's plump breasted and heavily muscled Red Sonja will bring all the boys to the yard.  Matt Carter's hue bring the story to life in living color.  The Invincible Red Sonja is a comic book that I must recommend, dear readers, because it is one of the best Red Sonja comic books in years.

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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BOOM! Studios Shipping from Diamond Distributors for March 16, 2022

BOOM! STUDIOS

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JAN220785 FAITHLESS III #2 CVR A LLOVET (MR) $3.99
JAN220786 FAITHLESS III #2 CVR B EROTIC VAR ANKA (MR) $4.99
JAN228011 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #4 2ND PTG CVR A HARDING $3.99
NOV210760 ONCE & FUTURE TP VOL 04 $16.99
JAN220768 POWER RANGERS #17 CVR A PAREL $3.99
JAN220769 POWER RANGERS #17 CVR B LEGACY VAR $3.99
JAN220773 POWER RANGERS #17 CVR F FOC REVEAL VAR MASELLIS $3.99
JAN220800 REGARDING MATTER OF OSWALDS BODY #5 (OF 5) CVR A LUCA $3.99

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