Comics Review: "PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: Fractured States #3" is Super-Powered

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: FRACTURED STATES VOLUME 1 #3
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Ron Marz and Andy Lanning
ART: Emilio Utrera
COLORS: Arthur Hesli
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Brian Cunningham
COVER: Mike Rooth
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Scott Kolins; Paula Andrade; Geraldo Borges; Rus Wooton
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2022)

Rated Teen+

Project Superpowers was a comic book limited series published by Dynamite Entertainment beginning in January 2008.  The series resurrected many superheroes from the “Golden Age of Comics” that were originally published by now-defunct companies like Crestwood Publications, Fox Comics, and Nedor Comics.  Many of these characters were in the public domain.

The series was set on an Earth where a twentieth century conflict gave rise to the age of “the Superpowers.”  These Superpowers protected the world, especially the United States.

The characters return in the new comic book series, Project Superpowers: Fractured States Volume 1.  It is written by Ron Marz and Andy Lanning; drawn by Emilio Utrera; colored by Arthur Hesli; and lettered by Tom Napolitano.  The series is set in 2052 and finds the United States of America, post-disaster, fractured into warring regions.  Into this world, a mysterious man awakens, unkempt, naked, and abandoned in an underground base.  This “John Doe” finds the world turned upside down, but does he bring salvation … or doom?  And where are the Superpowers and can they rise again?

Project Superpowers: Fractured States Volume 1 #3 opens in the “Zombie State,” in the year 2052.  Aboard her jet-propelled boat, Bobbi, the new “Black Terror,” tells John Doe what happened to America in the twenty-first century.  It all started in 2025...

At last, the secrets are revealed.  The origin of the new Black Terror is told.  John Doe learns how the United States of America fractured into warring powers.  In the middle of it all, the mysterious John Doe holds the key to what happened, and why the heroes of Project Superpowers failed.  Now, in the year 2052, can he gather the survivors and save America?

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 Project Superpowers: Fractured States Volume 1 #3, which is the third Project Superpowers comic book that I have read.

Writers Ron Marz and Andy Lanning are writing a spectacular superhero comic book.  This blend of superhero fantasy, mystery, conspiracy, and science fiction is shockingly good.  I was surprised at how good the first issue was; now, I'm just dumbfounded by the third issue.  Project Superpowers: Fractured States Volume 1 is proof that writers that know what they are doing can create a plot-driven narrative that is great without being bogged down in dull psychological drama.  Does Dynamite have other superhero properties for Marz and Lanning to write?

I don't want to leave out artist Emilio Utrera; he is turning Marz and Lanning's scripts into addictive graphical storytelling.  Utrera captures the spirit of classic, old school superhero comic books filled with a sense of discovery and wonder.  Arthur Hesli's moody colors create an alluring world of mystery and thrills.  Of course, a superb superhero comic book needs a superb comic book letterer, and of course, that is Tom Napolitano.

I am writing this review in a state of nerd ecstasy.  Please read, Project Superpowers: Fractured States Volume 1, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Project Superpowers and of superhero comic books will want Project Superpowers: Fractured States Volume 1.

[This comic book includes “Dynamite Dispatch” June 2022, which features an interview with writer Christopher Priest.]

A+

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


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Comics Review: BARBARELLA Volume 2 #10 Closes Out the Series

BARBARELLA VOLUME 2 #10
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Sarah Hoyt
ART: Madibek Musabekov
COLORS: Ivan Nunes
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Carla Cohen
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Derrick Chew; Butch Guice with Ivan Nunes, Celina Kirchner; Mike Krome with Elmer Santos; John Royle and Jagdish Kumar with Candice Han; Madibek Musabekov; Butch Guice; Carla Cohen; Rachel Hollon and Myke Shooter (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2022)

Rated Teen+

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

“The Gang is All Here”

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 and Tommaso Bianchi; colored by Ivan Nunes; and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual.  In this new series, Barbarella and her pals, Vix, Taln (the blind “angel” and A.I. friend.), and George the Glofen (an alien dinosaur) travel through space in service of the Brotherhood.  They combat tyranny, especially “The Lady,” who wants to be Barbarella and rule the galaxy.

Barbarella Volume 2 #10 (“The Gang is All Here”) opens with Barbarella in the clutches of “The Lady of Qruyx” a.k.a. “The Lady,” the ruler of the tyrannical Qruyx Benevolence.  The Lady looks like Barbarella, and she wants our heroine out of her way.  Luckily, Barbarella will learn the origin of The Lady, and why she looks like her.

Of course, such similarities are the foundations of traps, and Barbarella's Brotherhood colleagues, Alexis and Victoire, are pawns in The Lady's games.  Even if Barbarella and the Brotherhood can stop the Lady, will that end the galaxy's troubles?

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 Barbarella Volume 2 #10, which is the ninth issue of the title that I have read.

Cheers to the creative team of writer Sarah Hoyt, artist Madibek Musabekov, colorist Ivan Nunes; and letterer Carlos M. Mangual.  They have once again delivered an exciting chapter full of twists and tragedies, all presented in beautiful and colorful art and graphics.  However, I do have quibbles about certain events that took place here, but I won't go into details because I don't want to spoil things.  This series will make for a damn fine trade paperback collection.

Of course, this is the final issue of this iteration of the Barbarella comic book series.  Apparently, a new series will arrive in October.  That gives you plenty of time to catch up on this series, dear readers.

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

[This comic book includes “Dynamite Dispatch” June 2022, which features an interview with writer Christopher Priest.]

B+

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

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Director George Miller Starts Filming "Furiosa" (from the world of "Mad Max") in Australia

Cameras Are Rolling in New South Wales, Australia, as Production Is Underway on Director George Miller’s Epic Action Adventure “Furiosa,” With Anya Taylor-Joy in the Title Role, Alongside Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Principal photography is underway on Academy Award-winning filmmaker George Miller’s “Furiosa,” the much-anticipated return to the iconic dystopian world he created more than 30 years ago with the seminal “Mad Max” films, this time with an original new standalone action adventure that will reveal the origins of the powerhouse character from the multiple Oscar-winning global smash “Mad Max: Fury Road.” The new feature is being produced by Miller’s own Australian-based Kennedy Miller Mitchell banner, together with the filmmaker’s “Fury Road” partners Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures. Anya Taylor-Joy stars in the title role, alongside Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke.

As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.

Taylor-Joy was most recently seen in Edgar Wright’s “Last Night in Soho” and Robert Eggers’ “The Northman.” She also played the lead in the romantic comedy “Emma,” based on the Jane Austen novel. Her additional features include the sci-fi thrillers “Split” from M. Night Shyamalan, and his follow up “Glass,” in which she reprised her role from the previous film. She also starred as a chess prodigy in the massively successful miniseries “The Queen’s Gambit.”

Hemsworth is right at home with high-octane action, having starred in the “Avengers” and “Thor” films as well as the recent “Extraction.” His other film credits include “Bad Times at the El Royale,” “12 Strong,” “In the Heart of the Sea,” “Rush,” “Snow White and the Huntsman,” and “Star Trek,” among many others.

Burke is perhaps best-known for his award-nominated role in Joanna Hogg’s film “The Souvenir,” as well as playing the lead in the popular UK crime series “C.B. Strike.” He also starred as Athos in the BBC series “The Musketeers,” appeared in such feature films as Nicholas Winding Refn’s “Only God Forgives,” and played famed filmmaker Orson Welles in David Fincher’s Oscar-winning “Mank.”

Miller penned the script with “Mad Max: Fury Road” co-writer Nico Lathouris and produces alongside his longtime partner, Oscar-nominated producer Doug Mitchell (“Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Babe”). Miller’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes such longtime Australian collaborators as production designer Colin Gibson, editor Margaret Sixel, sound mixer Ben Osmo, costume designer Jenny Beavan and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt, each of whom won an Oscar for their work on “Mad Max: Fury Road,” as well as first assistant director PJ Voeten and second unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris. The director of photography is Simon Duggan (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “The Great Gatsby”).

Filming is underway in Australia. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

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Comics Review: "KING SPAWN #11" - It's Hard Out Here for a Hellspawn Pimp

KING SPAWN #11
IMAGE COMICS/Todd McFarlane Producions

STORY: Sean Lewis with Todd McFarlane
ART: Javi Fernandez
COLOR: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR-in-CHIEF: Thomas Healy
COVER:  Francesco Mattina
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Javi Fernandez
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 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 with Todd McFarlane; drawn by Javi Fernandez with Thomas Nachlik ; 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 and the “Godthrone.”

King Spawn #11 opens with Spawn beating the crap out of a member of the Court of Priests.  The demon, Tremor, however, isn't Spawn's only target, but some of his targets will fight back.  Spawn is on the hunt for the Court of Priests, and maybe they expected it.  Meanwhile, Al Simmons/Spawn's oldest friend, Terry Fitzgerald, is on a mission of his own, one that may actually make things worse!

THE LOWDOWN:  King Spawn insists on being the best Spawn spin-off comic book to date, and I'm too scared of it to argue otherwise.  As I have written several times, this hybrid of dark fantasy, the supernatural, and superheroes never disappoints.

I love that writer Sean Lewis is just a little too aggressive because that feels like the right thing for the lead character.  This is a Spawn comic book, after all, and the character has often seethed with and anger, discontent, and rage.  Besides, Lewis has been offering a nice balance of character drama with Terry Fitzgerald.  He is the human side, vulnerable, but determined, a counter to the rage.

Once again, Javi Fernandez turns in some of best work.  It's the eleventh issue, for Hell's sake, but Javi is still offering crazy new compositions and invigorating graphics.  Fernandez balances the grim determination of Terry Fitzgerald with the hurricane of violence that is Spawn.  I loved how Javi drew Spawn pounding Tremor into crap in page after page of widescreen comics storytelling.

I highly recommend King Spawn.  To borrow a phrase from Joe Simmons of the Madea movies, King Spawn is some of that “good-good,” although Joe is talking about narcotics...

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

[This comic book includes “Spawning Ground Presents:” featuring “Fan Art Sketch Covers”.]

A+

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


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BOOM! Studios Shipping from Diamond Distributors for June 22, 2022

BOOM! STUDIOS

APR220633 ALL NEW FIREFLY #5 CVR A FINDEN $4.99

APR220634 ALL NEW FIREFLY #5 CVR B YOUNG $4.99

APR220730 KILLER AFFAIRS OF STATE #5 (OF 6) CVR A JACAMON (MR) $4.99

APR220695 MAGIC HIDDEN PLANESWALKER #3 (OF 4) CVR A DARBOE $4.99

APR220696 MAGIC HIDDEN PLANESWALKER #3 (OF 4) CVR B GIST $4.99

APR220697 MAGIC HIDDEN PLANESWALKER #3 (OF 4) CVR C CONNECTING VAR $4.99

APR220700 MAGIC HIDDEN PLANESWALKER #3 (OF 4) CVR F FOC REVEAL VAR $4.99

FEB220760 MIGHTY MORPHIN TP VOL 04 $16.99

APR220674 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #24 CVR A DELL EDERA $3.99

APR220675 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #24 CVR B DIE CUT MASK VAR $4.99

APR220676 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #24 CVR C DIE CUT BLOODY V $4.99

APR220708 WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #11 CVR A DI MEO $3.99

APR220709 WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #11 CVR B INFANTE $3.99

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Dark Horse Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for June 22, 2022

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB220361 AIRLESS YEAR TP $14.99

APR220340 COLLECTOR UNIT 731 #3 (OF 4) $3.99

APR220277 LONESOME HUNTERS #1 (OF 4) $3.99

FEB220351 NO ONE LEFT TO FIGHT II TP $19.99

APR220290 SHAOLIN COWBOY CRUEL TO BE KIN #2 (OF 7) CVR A DARROW (MR) $4.99

APR220291 SHAOLIN COWBOY CRUEL TO BE KIN #2 (OF 7) CVR B QUITELY (MR) $4.99

APR220292 SHAOLIN COWBOY CRUEL TO BE KIN #2 (OF 7) CVR C PISKOR (MR) $4.99

FEB220294 SNOW ANGELS TP VOL 02 $19.99

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Dynamite Entertainment Shipping from Diamond Distributors for June 22, 2022

DYNAMITE

FEB220582 BOYS OVERSIZED OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 (MR) $99.99

FEB220583 BOYS OVERSIZED OMNIBUS SGN ED HC VOL 01 (MR) $199.99

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APR220475 ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #2 CVR C CALIFANO $3.99

APR220476 ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #2 CVR D PHOTO $3.99

APR220527 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #3 CVR A ACOSTA $3.99

APR220528 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #3 CVR B LINSNER $3.99

APR220529 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #3 CVR C CASE $3.99

APR220530 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #3 CVR D KAMBADAIS $3.99

APR220531 JOHN CARTER OF MARS #3 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99

APR220420 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR A PARRILLO $3.99

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APR220422 SAMURAI SONJA #1 CVR C HENRY $3.99

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APR220609 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #7 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99

APR228147 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #7 CVR N FOC PARRILLO ULTRAVIOLET $3.99

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