Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Comics Review: Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #115

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) #115
DC COMICS

STORY: Derek Fridolfs; Sholly Fisch
PENCILS: Walter Carzon; Robert Pope
INKS: Horacio Ottolini; Scott McRae
COLORS: Silvana Brys; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Dezi Sienty
EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Kwanza Johnson (reprint)
COVER: Derek Fridolfs with Silvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2022)

Ages 8+

“Ready Player Run!”


Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I continue to renew my subscription so that I can continue to review this series for you, dear readers.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #115 opens with “Ready Player Run!,” which is written by Derek Fridolfs and drawn by Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini.  The story finds Mystery Inc.Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma at the headquarters of “Playtel,” the board game company.  Fred answered an ad so that the whole gang could “playtest” Playtel's latest game.

But Playtel has a surprise for all the testers.  They want to give players a new experience, and that means transporting players into virtual reality versions of their games via VR goggles.  But there is a glitch … err … gremlin in the VR system.  The “Grim Gamer” is out to win at all costs, and Mystery Inc. has a new mystery to solve.

The second story, “Endgame” is, as usual, a reprint story and is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Robert Pope and Scott McRae.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #10 (cover date: August 2011).]  Mystery Inc. is attending the “World Video Game Championships,” which is sponsored by the video game company, Gamestation.

Competitors include the Tendo Brothers, Mario and Luigi, and the legendary player, Zelda.  But a ghostly figure, “The Pinball Wizard,” is demanding that this championship tournament be shut down.  Now, Gamestation's Laurie Kraft is desperate to save the tournament, so Mystery Inc. has another mystery to solve.

Right from the start, one reason for me to like “Ready Player Run!” is that it comes from Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini, one of my favorite Scooby-Doo comic book art teams.  Combined with Sivana Brys' lovely colors, “Ready Player Run!” looks gorgeous.  Writer Derek Fridolfs, another Scooby-Doo comics favorite, offers a cleverly constructed story right out of the kind of real-world corporate espionage that must be rampant in the video game industry.  I like this story, and I think it would make a good plot for one of those direct-to-DVD Scooby-Doo movies.

“Endgame” is written by another of my favorite Scooby-Doo comic book writers, Sholly Fisch, and is drawn by another of my favorite Mystery Inc. art dream teams, Robert Pope and Scott McRae.  The plot and the villain are good, but not great.  However, the story has a crazy last act – Shaggy and Scooby in a dance-off!  Yes, it's as fun as it sounds.

So, I recommend Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #115 to all Scooby-Doo fans because it is one of the best issues of the series in the last year or so.  And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B+

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the original graphic novel, “Primer” by Jennifer Muro, Thomas Krajewski, and Gretel Lusky.]

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


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Comics Review: VAMPIRELLA Strikes #1

VAMPIRELLA STRIKES VOLUME 1 #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Thomas Sniegoski
ART: Jonathan Lau
COLORS: Omi Remalante, Jr.
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Joe Rybandt
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Stephen Segovia with Elmer Santoa; Junggeun Yoon; Ben Caldwell; Michael Turner; John Royle; Nathan Szerdy; Weijic Eric Chen; Sajd Shah; Sean Forney; Piper Ruduch; Paolo Pantalena; Carla Cohen; John Vasquez; Ron Leary; Jamie Tyndall Stephen Segovia; Lucio Parrillo; Rachel Hollon and David Turner (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2022)

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.  In 2010, Dynamite Entertainment obtained the character and has been publishing new Vampirella material since then.

One of Dynamite's new Vampirella comic book series is Vampirella Strikes, which spins out of Vengeance of Vampirella Volume 2.  Vampirella Strikes Volume 1 is written by Thomas Sniegoski; drawn by Jonathan Lau; colored by Omi Remalante, Jr.; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.

Vampirella Strikes Volume 1 #1 opens in Sepulcher City in the wake of Vampirella taking down rogue members of the Danse Macabre.  There is a tenuous peace between humanity and the Monstrous (also known by the slur, “Creepers”).  But something new has risen from the shadowy legends of Hell, and so far, the Monstrous are taking the worst of it.

Vampirella fulfilled her role of savior in Vengeance of Vampirella.  Now, she is posed to strike for peace … if someone doesn't strike her out first.

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 Vampirella Strikes Volume 1 #1, which is one of many, many Dynamite Vampirella comic books that I have read.

Writer Thomas Sniegoski offers a most intriguing first issue with Vampirella Strikes #1.  New readers should not have too much trouble catching on to the state of things, post-Vengeance of Vampirella.  Vampirella has dealt with Mistress Nyx and with the renegade humans of Danse Macabre.  Now, it is time for peace, but not everyone believes in that.

Jonathan Lau's art strikes the perfect mood for this dark fantasy post-apocalyptic series, and his storytelling is efficient, clear, and stylish.  Colorist Omi Remalante, Jr. … strikes the perfect tone for Lau's art and Sniegoski's script.  This book both looks good and reads good and promises much more fun to come.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Vampirella will want to try Vampirella Strikes Volume 1.

B+

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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Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Comics Review: The Immortal RED SONJA #2

IMMORTAL RED SONJA #2
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Dan Abnett
ARTIST: Emiliana Pinna
COLORS: Luca Colandrea
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: David Nakayama
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Junggeun Yoon; Joseph Michael Linsner; Leirix Li; John Royle; Jay Anacleto; Layne; Jamie Tyndall; David Nakayama; Gracie the Cosplay Lass and Jim Donnelly
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2022)

Rated Teen+

“The Cursed World”


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.  The latest is Immortal Red Sonja.  It is written by Dan Abnett; drawn by Emiliana Pinna and Alessandro Miracolo; colored by Luca Colandrea and Ellie Wright; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  The series is set in the Britain of legend and finds Red Sonja (“Sonja the Red”) wearing cursed chain mail and forced to save the fallen, lost kingdom of “Logres.”

Immortal Red Sonja #2 (“The Cursed World”) opens in Logres.  Sonja is forced to wear a chain mail vest cursed with the spirit of the last Paindragon of Logres.  Now, she has to face a giant, which ends with her sword broken.  Luckily, an enchanted pond offers another sword?!  Plus, the journey to find Merlyn begins and the curses continue.

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 Immortal Red Sonja #2, which is one of many, many Dynamite Red Sonja comic books that I have read.

In Immortal Red Sonja, Dan Abnett's spin on the Arthurian legend is both imaginative and alluring.  The twists and turns of the names and elements of familiar characters are nice.  This is one of the better Red Sonja comic books, for sure.

Alessandro Miracolo's art and storytelling have a nice pace, giving the action of the script room to breath.  However, Miracolo's storytelling does make one thing clear.  This story would read better in large segments, maybe even as a graphic novel.  Still, I highly recommend Immortal Red Sonja.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja comic books must read Immortal Red Sonja.

[This comic book includes “Dynamite Dispatch” May 2022, which features an interview with writer Jordan Clark.]

A-

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 syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, May 9, 2022

BOOM! Studios Shipping from Diamond Distributors for May 11, 2022

BOOM! STUDIOS

MAR220773 GRIM #1 CVR A FLAVIANO $3.99
MAR220774 GRIM #1 CVR B FOIL FLAVIANO $5.99
MAR220775 GRIM #1 CVR C FRISON $3.99
MAR220801 MIGHTY MORPHIN #19 CVR A LEE $3.99
MAR220802 MIGHTY MORPHIN #19 CVR B LEGACY VAR CARLINI $3.99
MAR220806 MIGHTY MORPHIN #19 CVR F FOC REVEAL VAR CLARKE $3.99
MAR220851 SEVEN SECRETS #17 CVR A DI NICUOLO $3.99
MAR220852 SEVEN SECRETS #17 CVR B ALLEN $3.99

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Dark Horse Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for May 11, 2022

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAR220383 ASSASSINS CREED VALHALLA FORGOTTEN MYTHS #3 (OF 3) $3.99
MAR220316 AVATAR ADAPT OR DIE #1 (OF 6) $3.99
JUN210394 DUNE DUNCAN IDAHO FIGURE $59.99
DEC210454 GANTZ OMNIBUS TP VOL 09 (MR) $24.99
MAR220318 JENNY ZERO II #1 (OF 4) $3.99
MAR220362 NORSE MYTHOLOGY III #4 (OF 6) CVR A RUSSELL (MR) $3.99
MAR220363 NORSE MYTHOLOGY III #4 (OF 6) CVR B MACK (MR) $3.99
MAR220320 TALES FROM HARROW COUNTY LOST ONES #1 (OF 4) CVR A SCHNALL $3.99
MAR220321 TALES FROM HARROW COUNTY LOST ONES #1 (OF 4) CVR B CROOK $3.99

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Dynamite Entertainment Shipping from Diamond Distributors for May 11, 2022

DYNAMITE

FEB220616 BARBARELLA #9 CVR J CHEW LTD VIRGIN $50.00
FEB220617 BARBARELLA #9 CVR K COHEN LTD VIRGIN $50.00
MAR220654 BETTIE PAGE ALIEN AGENDA #3 CVR A LINSNER $3.99
MAR220655 BETTIE PAGE ALIEN AGENDA #3 CVR B BURNS $3.99
MAR220656 BETTIE PAGE ALIEN AGENDA #3 CVR C ROUX $3.99
MAR220657 BETTIE PAGE ALIEN AGENDA #3 CVR D BROXTON $3.99
MAR220658 BETTIE PAGE ALIEN AGENDA #3 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99
MAR220663 BETTIE PAGE ALIEN AGENDA #3 CVR J BLACK BAG $10.00
MAR228073 BETTIE PAGE ALIEN AGENDA #3 CVR M FOC BONUS CELOR ORIGINAL $3.99
FEB220626 DRACULINA #3 CVR I TURNER LTD VIRGIN $50.00
FEB220627 DRACULINA #3 CVR J BESCH LTD VIRGIN $50.00
FEB220643 HELL SONJA #4 CVR J PARRILLO LTD VIRGIN $50.00
FEB220644 HELL SONJA #4 CVR K LEE LTD VIRGIN $50.00
MAR220600 IMMORTAL RED SONJA #2 CVR A NAKAYAMA $3.99
MAR220601 IMMORTAL RED SONJA #2 CVR B YOON $3.99
MAR220602 IMMORTAL RED SONJA #2 CVR C LINSNER $3.99
MAR220603 IMMORTAL RED SONJA #2 CVR D LEIRIX LI $3.99
MAR220604 IMMORTAL RED SONJA #2 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99
MAR228079 IMMORTAL RED SONJA #2 CVR M FOC BONUS LEE HOMAGE $3.99
MAR228080 IMMORTAL RED SONJA #2 CVR N LI ULTRAVIOLET $3.99
FEB220654 JENNIFER BLOOD #7 CVR J BRADSTREET LTD VIRGIN (MR) $50.00
FEB220655 JENNIFER BLOOD #7 CVR K LINSNER LTD VIRGIN (MR) $50.00
FEB220495 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #1 CVR O YOON LTD VIRGIN $50.00
FEB220496 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #1 CVR P LINSNER LTD VIRGIN $50.00
FEB220676 RED SONJA (2021) #8 CVR J LEIRIX LTD VIRGIN $50.00
FEB220677 RED SONJA (2021) #8 CVR K LINSNER LTD VIRGIN $50.00
MAR220617 VAMPIRELLA BLOOD LUST #1 FACSIMILE ED $4.99
FEB220687 VAMPIRELLA DRACULA UNHOLY #5 CVR J PARRILLO LTD VIRGIN $50.00
FEB220688 VAMPIRELLA DRACULA UNHOLY #5 CVR K HUGHES LTD VIRGIN $50.00
FEB220689 VAMPIRELLA DRACULA UNHOLY #5 CVR L MAER LTD VIRGIN $50.00
MAR220514 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1 CVR A PARRILLO $3.99
MAR220515 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1 CVR B SEGOVIA $3.99
MAR220516 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1 CVR C YOON $3.99
MAR220517 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1 CVR D CALDWELL $3.99
MAR220518 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99
MAR220519 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1 CVR F BLANK AUTHENTIX $3.99
MAR228087 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1 CVR Q FOC BONUS JIM LEE HOMAGE $3.99
MAR228088 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1 CVR R FOC BONUS PARRILLO UV $3.99
MAR228094 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1 CVR X WHITE BLANK AUTHENTIX $3.99
MAR228095 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1 CVR Y BLACK BLANK AUTHENTIX $3.99

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IDW Publishing Shipping from Diamond Distributors for May 11, 2022

IDW PUBLISHING

JAN220462 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #292 CVR A WILLIAMS II $3.99
JAN220463 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #292 CVR B GALLANT $3.99
FEB220412 GI JOE RAH SATURDAY MORNING ADV #3 (OF 4) CVR A SCHOENING $3.99
FEB220413 GI JOE RAH SATURDAY MORNING ADV #3 (OF 4) CVR B PHIL MURPHY $3.99
MAR220485 KILL LOCK ARTISAN WRAITH #3 (OF 7) $3.99
DEC210519 MIKE MIGNOLA HELLBOY IN HELL & OTHER STORIES ARTISAN ED GN ( $39.99
MAR220486 SONIC HEDGEHOG IMPOSTER SYNDROME #4 (OF 4) CVR A FONSECA $3.99
MAR220487 SONIC HEDGEHOG IMPOSTER SYNDROME #4 (OF 4) CVR B HAINES $3.99
MAR220495 STAR TREK DISCOVERY ADV IN 32ND CENTURY #3 (OF 4) CVR A HERN $3.99
MAR220469 TRANSFORMERS LAST BOT STANDING #1 CVR A ROCHE $5.99
FEB229536 TRANSFORMERS LAST BOT STANDING #1 CVR B ALEX MILNE $5.99
FEB229537 TRANSFORMERS LAST BOT STANDING #1 CVR C SPENCE $5.99
FEB229538 TRANSFORMERS LAST BOT STANDING #1 CVR D KNOTT $5.99

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