Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 6, 2022

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAY222157 ABANDONED SACRED BEASTS GN VOL 13 $10.95

MAY221243 ABSOLUTION #1 CVR A DEODATO JR (MR) $3.99

MAY221244 ABSOLUTION #1 CVR B CHO (MR) $3.99

JAN221134 ALMOST AMERICAN TP $16.99

MAR221502 ALTERNATE PATHS GN VOL 01 RAVEN HEX SWORDMAIDEN (MR) $31.99

MAR221772 ASTERIX OMNIBUS PAPERCUTZ ED HC VOL 07 $22.99

MAR221771 ASTERIX OMNIBUS PAPERCUTZ ED SC VOL 07 $14.99

MAY221109 ASTRONAUT DOWN #2 $3.99

APR221318 BALLAD OF GORDON BARLEYCORN #1 CVR A COLIN MCHUGH $4.99

APR222067 BATTLE ANGEL ALITA MARS CHRONICLE GN VOL 08 $10.99

MAY221625 BATTLECATS TP VOL 03 HERO OF LEGEND $19.99

MAY221281 BEHEMOTH #1 CVR A WOODWARD $4.99

MAY222090 BERSERK OF GLUTTONY GN VOL 06 $12.99

MAY221193 BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #305 $8.99

APR221789 BEYOND THE BEYOND #2 (OF 4) $4.99

MAY221722 BEYOND THE BEYOND #3 (OF 4) $4.99

APR221840 BLADE RUNNER 2029 #9-12 VIRGIN SYD MEAD PACK (MR) $17.99

MAY221260 BLIND ALLEY #3 (OF 5) CVR A IRRA (MR) $3.99

MAY221261 BLIND ALLEY #3 (OF 5) CVR B IRRA (MR) $3.99

APR221623 BONYEER AROMATIC #2 CVR A PIYOTYCHO $4.99

APR221624 BONYEER AROMATIC #2 CVR B ILLUMINATED $4.99

APR221625 BONYEER AROMATIC #2 CVR C KLAUS $4.99

APR221320 BROKEN SOULS BALLAD #2 CVR A CEREGATTI $4.99

APR222010 BUNGO STRAY DOGS WAN GN VOL 02 (MR) $13.00

MAY222018 CALL GIRL IN ANOTHER WORLD GN VOL 04 (MR) $13.99

MAR221781 CASAGRANDES GN VOL 03 SUPER MERCADO SWEEP $7.99

MAR221782 CASAGRANDES HC GN VOL 03 SUPER MERCADO SWEEP $12.99

APR212234 CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC ACCELERATOR GN VOL 12 $12.99

APR221147 CHARLEY & HUMPHREY #2 $3.99

APR221792 CITIES OF MAGICK #2 $4.99

APR221506 CITY CRIME COMICS GN $15.00

MAY222095 DAILY REPORT ABOUT MY WITCH SENPAI GN VOL 02 (OF 2) (RES) (C $12.99

MAY221262 DARK BEACH #4 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99

AUG212147 DEADBOX #3 CVR A TIESMA $4.99

AUG212148 DEADBOX #3 CVR B HOWELL $4.99

FEB221450 DISCIPLES HC (MR) $24.99

MAY221729 DISTORTED #5 $3.99

APR221850 DOCTOR WHO ORIGINS #2 (OF 4) CVR A HARDING $3.99

APR221851 DOCTOR WHO ORIGINS #2 (OF 4) CVR B PHOTO $3.99

APR221852 DOCTOR WHO ORIGINS #2 (OF 4) CVR C ZANFARDINO $3.99

MAY221947 DR STONE GN VOL 22 $9.99

APR222022 DURARARA RE DOLLARS ARC GN VOL 07 (MR) $13.00

APR222070 EDENS ZERO GN VOL 17 $10.99

MAY221937 ELUSIVE SAMURAI GN VOL 01 $9.99

APR222020 EMINENCE IN SHADOW GN VOL 04 $13.00

APR221471 FANTAGRAPHICS UNDERGROUND UNREPENTANT ARTIST HC PAINTINGS OF $75.00

APR222072 FIRE FORCE GN VOL 27 $10.99

MAY222021 FIRE IN HIS FINGERTIPS FIREMAN SMOLDERING GAZE GN VOL 04 (MR $13.99

APR228558 FRANK FRAZETTA DEATH DEALER #1 3RD PTG (MR) $4.99

FEB221605 GEEKY FAB FIVE 3IN1 GN VOL 01 $14.99

APR221995 GIRL SAVED ON TRAIN TURNED OUT CHILDHOOD FRIEND GN VOL 01 (C $13.00

MAY222101 GO FOR IT AGAIN NAKAMURA GN (MR) $13.99

MAY222143 GREAT JAHY WILL NOT BE DEFEATED GN VOL 03 $12.99

MAY222022 GUNGURED X SISTERS GN VOL 02 (RES) (MR) $13.99

MAY221263 HEAVY METAL DRUMMER #6 (OF 6) CVR A VASSALLO (MR) $3.99

MAY221264 HEAVY METAL DRUMMER #6 (OF 6) CVR B VASSALLO (MR) $3.99

MAY221265 HEAVY METAL DRUMMER #6 (OF 6) CVR C VASSALLO (MR) $3.99

MAY222103 HELLO MELANCHOLIC GN VOL 02 (MR) $13.99

MAY221768 JOHN CARPENTERS TALES OF SCIENCE FICTION CIVILIANS TP (MR) $15.99

MAY221306 KNIGHTS OF THE FIFTH DIMENSION #1 (OF 4) $3.99

MAY221949 KUBO WONT LET ME BE INVISIBLE GN VOL 02 $9.99

APR221651 LAST SESSION TP VOL 01 ROLL FOR INITIATIVE $17.99

MAY221355 LORE OLYMPUS GN VOL 02 $21.00

MAY221356 LORE OLYMPUS HC GN VOL 02 $27.99

MAY222109 MAGIC ARTISAN DAHLIA WILTS NO MORE GN VOL 02 $12.99

APR221794 MEGA CENTURIONS #1 (OF 5) $4.99

MAY221225 MEZO BATTLE AT COBAN ROCK #3 (OF 5) CVR A VAL RODRIGUES $3.99

MAY221226 MEZO BATTLE AT COBAN ROCK #3 (OF 5) CVR B TERRY BLAS $3.99

MAY222110 MOST NOTORIOUS TALKER RUNS WORLDS GREATEST CLAN GN VOL 02 (C $12.99

MAY221934 MY HERO ACADEMIA GN VOL 31 $9.99

MAY221948 MY LOVE MIX UP GN VOL 04 $9.99

MAY221255 NOMADD CITY OF EMPTY TOWERS #1 (OF 6) $4.99

MAY222115 NON NON BIYORI GN VOL 16 $12.99

APR222077 NORAGAMI STRAY GOD GN VOL 24 (RES) (MR) $10.99

MAY221303 NOT OF THIS WORLD #1 $3.99

MAY221861 PEANUT BUTTER & CRACKERS YR GN VOL 02 FETCH $7.99

MAY221862 PEANUT BUTTER & CRACKERS YR GN VOL 03 ON THE TRAIL $12.99

MAY212002 PENGUINDRUM GN VOL 05 $12.99

MAY221053 PROMETHEE 1313 #1 CVR A JOCK (MR) $3.99

MAY221054 PROMETHEE 1313 #1 CVR B SORRENTINO (MR) $3.99

MAY221055 PROMETHEE 1313 #1 CVR C BERTOLINI PARODY (MR) $3.99

MAY221056 PROMETHEE 1313 #1 CVR D BLANK ED (MR) $10.00

FEB221617 RALPH AZHAM GN VOL 01 BLACK ARE THE STARS $14.99

FEB221618 RALPH AZHAM HC VOL 01 BLACK ARE THE STARS $19.99

APR221728 SAKUNA OF RICE AND RUIN ARTWORKS SC $39.99

MAY222119 SAVIORS BOOK CAFE STORY IN ANOTHER WORLD GN VOL 03 (RES) $12.99

MAR221503 SCHOOL BITES DLX VOL 02 ART PRINT ED (MR) $19.99

APR222154 SEMELPAROUS GN VOL 03 $12.99

MAY222064 SEVEN DEADLY SINS FOUR KNIGHTS OF APOCALYPSE GN VOL 04 $10.99

APR221915 SHADOW SERVICE #13 CVR A HOWELL $4.99

APR221916 SHADOW SERVICE #13 CVR B HICKMAN $4.99

APR222021 SLASHER MAIDENS GN VOL 05 (MR) $13.00

APR221655 SPEED REPUBLIC #5 CVR A PARASCANDOLO & MONTE $3.99

APR221656 SPEED REPUBLIC #5 CVR B LELAY & SCHROER $3.99

APR221997 STUDIO APT GOOD LIGHTING ANGEL INCLUDED GN VOL 01 (MR) $13.00

MAY222024 SUPER HXEROS GN VOL 08 (MR) $13.99

APR222155 SUPERWOMEN IN LOVE GN VOL 04 $12.99

APR222017 SWORD ART ONLINE PROJECT ALICIZATION GN VOL 05 $13.00

FEB221587 TEA DRAGON SOCIETY BOX SET HC $63.99

MAY221106 THERES SOMETHING WRONG WITH PATRICK TODD #1 CVR A GUIDRY $4.99

MAY221629 TIGERS TONGUE #1 CVR A IGBOKWE $3.99

MAY221630 TIGERS TONGUE #1 CVR B IGBOKWE $3.99

MAY222125 TIME STOP HERO GN VOL 05 (MR) $12.99

APR222024 VAL X LOVE GN VOL 12 (MR) $13.00

MAY221951 VAMPIRE KNIGHT MEMORIES GN VOL 07 $9.99

APR221269 VAMPIRES HALLOWEEN SP ONE SHOT SKETCH CVR $3.99

MAR222001 VERSE GN BOOK 02 SECOND GATE (MR) $12.99

MAY222076 WHEN WILL AYUMU MAKE HIS MOVE GN VOL 06 $12.99

APR221328 WILDER #5 (OF 5) CVR A GIAMPA $3.99

DEC211856 WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE TP (MR) $14.99

APR221615 WITCH GN PART IX 100 WITCH GN VOL 04 $15.00

APR221275 YOUNG MEN IN LOVE GN $19.99

MAGAZINES

APR221388 COMIC SHOP NEWS (90CT BUNDLE) #1820 (Net) $PI

APR221663 COMICS REVUE PRESENTS JUNE 2022 $19.95

FEB221377 MONSTER BASH MAGAZINE #46 $8.99

BOOKS

DEC211610 EERIE PUBLICATIONS COMP CVRS HC WHOLE BLOODY MESS (MR) $59.95

DEC211609 EERIE PUBLICATIONS COMP CVRS SC WHOLE BLOODY MESS (MR) $39.95

MAY221254 FIRE & BLOOD 300 YEARS BEFORE A GAME OF THRONES SC $22.00

FEB211516 HIRSCHFELD THE BIOGRAPHY HC $27.99

APR222172 LONER LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 02 (RES) $14.99

JAN221580 SCIENCE FICTION ILLUSTRATION SC $39.99

MAY221366 STAR WARS BE MORE OBI WAN HC $12.99

MAY221361 STAR WARS VISIONS RONIN SC $18.00

MAY222140 SURVIVAL IN ANOTHER WORLD WITH MY MISTRESS SC NOVEL VOL 02 ( $14.99

APR221831 VERISSIMUS STOIC PHILOSOPHY OF MARCUS AURELIUS GN $32.50

APR222031 VILLAINESS TAMING THE FINAL BOSS NOVEL SC VOL 03 $15.00

MAY222141 WAIT FOR ME YESTERDAY IN SPRING SC NOVEL $14.99

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DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for July 5, 2022

DC COMICS:

Action Comics #1044 (Cover C Derek Charm Pride Month Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman #125 (Cover A Jorge Jimenez), $5.99
Batman #125 (Cover B Jim Lee & Scott Williams Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Batman #125 (Cover C Gabriele Dell’Otto Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Batman #125 (Cover D InHyuk Lee Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Batman #125 (Cover E Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Batman #125 (Cover G Jorge Jimenez Wraparound Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #125 (Cover H Jock Foil Variant), AR
Batman #125 (Cover I Alex Garner Foil Variant), AR
Batman #125 (Cover J Chip Zdarsky Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #125 (Cover K Jim Lee & Scott Williams Black & White Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #125 (Cover L Blank Variant), AR
Batman #125 (Cover M Jorge Jimenez Failsafe Protocol Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman ’89 #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Joe Quinones), $3.99
Batman ’89 #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Julian Totino Tedesco Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Beyond Neo-Year #4 (Of 6)(Cover A Max Dunbar), $3.99
Batman Beyond Neo-Year #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Christian Ward Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Detective Comics Volume 2 Fear State HC, $29.99
Batman Killing Time #5 (Of 6)(Cover A David Marquez), $4.99
Batman Killing Time #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman Killing Time #5 (Of 6)(Cover C Ben Oliver Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Urban Legends Volume 2 TP, $24.99
Birds Of Prey Whitewater TP, $19.99
Black Adam The Justice Society Files Hawkman #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Kaare Andrews), $5.99
Black Adam The Justice Society Files Hawkman #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Photo Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Catwoman Volume 6 Fear State TP, $16.99
Dark Crisis #2 (Of 7)(Cover A Daniel Sampere), $4.99
Dark Crisis #2 (Of 7)(Cover B Juliet Nneka Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Dark Crisis #2 (Of 7)(Cover C Rafa Sarmento Homage Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Dark Crisis #2 (Of 7)(Cover D Mario Foccillo Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Crisis #2 (Of 7)(Cover E Lucio Parrillo Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Crisis #2 (Of 7)(Cover F TBD Foil Variant), AR
DC Poster Portfolio Jenny Frison TP, $24.99
DC Vs. Vampires #7 (Of 12)(Cover A Guillem March), $3.99
DC Vs. Vampires #7 (Of 12)(Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $4.99
DC Vs. Vampires #7 (Of 12)(Cover C Lesley Leirix Li Card Stock Variant), AR
Flashpoint Beyond #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Mitch Gerads), $3.99
Flashpoint Beyond #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Xermanico Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Flashpoint Beyond #3 (Of 6)(Cover C David Marquez Card Stock Variant), AR
Flashpoint Beyond #3 (Of 6)(Cover D Doug Mahnke Card Stock Variant), AR
Green Lantern Volume 2 Horatius TP, $29.99
Joker #15 (Of 15)(Cover A Giuseppe Camuncoli), $5.99
Joker #15 (Of 15)(Cover B Dike Ruan), $5.99
Joker #15 (Of 15)(Cover C Brian Bolland), $5.99
Joker #15 (Of 15)(Cover D Guillem March), AR
Justice League Infinity TP, $16.99
Monkey Prince #6 (Of 12)(Cover A Bernard Chang), $3.99
Monkey Prince #6 (Of 12)(Cover B Marcus To Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Monkey Prince #6 (Of 12)(Cover C Kim Jacinto Card Stock Variant), AR
Multiversity Teen Justice #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Robbi Rodriguez), $3.99
Multiversity Teen Justice #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Stephanie Hans Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Nubia Queen Of The Amazons #2 (Of 4)(Cover A Khary Randolph), $3.99
Nubia Queen Of The Amazons #2 (Of 4)(Cover B Taurin Clarke Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Poison Ivy #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Jessica Fong), $3.99
Poison Ivy #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Poison Ivy #2 (Of 6)(Cover C Claire Roe Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Poison Ivy #2 (Of 6)(Cover D Alvaro Martinez Bueno Card Stock Variant), AR
Poison Ivy #2 (Of 6)(Cover E Sweeney Boo Card Stock Variant), AR
Poison Ivy #2 (Of 6)(Cover F Christian Ward Card Stock Variant), AR
Poison Ivy #2 (Of 6)(Cover G Jenny Frison Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
RWBY Justice League TP, $16.99
Suicide Squad Blaze #3 (Of 3)(Cover A Aaron Campbell), $6.99
Suicide Squad Blaze #3 (Of 3)(Cover B Valentine De Landro), $6.99
Suicide Squad Get Joker HC, $24.99

Comics Review: "KILLADELPHIA #23" - Fight the Powers That Be

KILLADELPHIA #23
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Jason Shawn Alexander with Germán Erramouspe and Nicole Palmquist
COLORS: Luis Nct
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello
COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Eli Minaya
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (July 2022)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Killadelphia created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

“The End of All” Part V: “Twelve Angry Vampires... Four Werewolves... Oh, And A Witch”

Killadelphia is an apocalyptic vampire and dark fantasy comic book series from writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jason Shawn Alexander.  Published by Image Comics, it centers on a conspiracy in which vampires attempt to rule Philadelphia.  Colorist Luis Nct and letterer Marshall Dillon complete Killadelphia's creative team.

Killadelphia focuses on James “Jim” Sangster, Jr. and his father, revered Philadelphia homicide detective, James Sangster, Sr., a vampire!  Father and son lead a ragtag team comprised of a medical examiner (Jose Padilla), werewolves, a witch, and a rebellious, but special young vampire (Tevin Thompkins a.k.a. “See Saw”) in a bid to save Philly.  Their adversary is a former First Lady, the vampire Abigail Adams.

As Killadelphia #23 (“Twelve Angry Vampires... Four Werewolves... Oh, And A Witch”) opens, Washington, Jefferson, and Adams have a meeting of the minds with the Eterna.  Meanwhile, Abigail Adams prepares to tell her ex how things are now.  On the other side of Philly, the werewolf Zubiya and her pack have to come to an agreement – to help the humans or to return to their old haunts.  Tituba the Stregherian witch moderates.

Toussaint Louverture, the legendary vampire hunter, and his sister, Sanité, meet Anansi, who has a warning.  Their fight against the vampires of Killy won't be what they are expecting.  And Jim Sr. speaks to See Saw.  Now is a time for conversation, but soon, there will be war – with directions from the thrones of Hell.

But George Washington: Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, Founding Father, and first president of the United States is now the undead Vampire King.  Can anyone defeat the very leader who won the battle for America the first time?!

THE LOWDOWN:  We have the penultimate chapter of Killadelphia's fourth story arc, “The End of All.”  It is an outta sight arc, and Chapter Five is the quiet before the storm.

Writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jason Shawn Alexander offer a … reposeful issue of the series with Killadelphia #23.  Barnes uses this issue to gather the major players before the readers and to reveal or emphasize their goals and conflicts.  He smartly puts a spotlight on Toussaint Louverture and Sanité, two players with series potential.

Alexander, with colorist Luis Nct, also does a character spotlight.  This issue is like a family photo album of this wonderful ensemble, Alexander finding beauty in brutal violence and ultimate evil.  Alexander's gift is to make each character a star in his own way, stressing his or her importance, even if the readers don't always catch on quickly.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of vampire comic books and of exceptional dark fantasy will want Killadelphia.

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

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Review: "LA LA LAND" Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda Been Great

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 40 of 2022 (No. 1852) by Leroy Douresseaux

La La Land (2016)
Running time:  128 minutes (2 hours, 8 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for some language
WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Damien Chazelle
PRODUCERS:  Fred Berger, Gary Gilbert, Jordan Horowitz, and Marc Platt
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Linus Sandgren (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Tom Cross
COMPOSER:  Justin Hurwitz
SONGS: Justin Hurwitz and Pasek & Paul; Justin Hurwitz, John Legend, Marius de Vries and Angelique Cinelu
Academy Award winner

MUSICAL/DRAMA

Starring:  Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Rosemarie DeWitt, J.K. Simmons, and John Legend

La La Land is a 2016 romantic film and musical drama written and directed by Damien Chazelle.  The film focuses on a struggling jazz pianist and an aspiring actress who fall in love while navigating their career paths in Los Angeles.

La La Land opens in Los Angeles, California.  While stuck in a typical L.A. traffic, aspiring actress, Mia Dolan (Emma Stone), has a moment of road rage directed at Sebastian “Seb” Wilder (Ryan Gosling), a struggling jazz pianist.  Mia has a hard day of work at her coffee shop job, and her subsequent audition goes awry.  Sebastian is fired from a gig at a restaurant after he slips in some jazz improvisation despite the owner's (J.K. Simmons) warning to only play traditional Christmas music.  Attracted to the Seb's music, Mia walks into the restaurant and witnesses the firing.  She tries to compliment his music, but Seb rudely walks past her.

Eventually, Fate brings them together at a party.  Soon, they are sharing their dreams and start becoming a couple.  Both have to reconcile their aspirations for the future, however, and as their career paths veer, can they stay a couple?

La La Land almost won the Academy Award for “Best Picture,” but didn't.  La La Land could have been a great film, but it really isn't.  The film's leads, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, are fine actors, and they are true movie stars.  [I don't see anything in Stone's performance here that is worthy of the “Best Actress” Oscar she won.]  The camera seems to love them, and they look great on the big screen – as the sayings go – but as hard as they try, their characters are limp.  Stone's Mia has potential, but remains surprisingly vapid, except for a few moments.  Sebastian is pretentious and insufferable, although he is intriguing.

The material that makes up this film's screenplay, written by Damien Chazelle, is a shallow interpretation of the musicals of “old Hollywood” (also known as the “Golden Age of Hollywood”).  Chazelle may be a fan of such old musicals, but his love cannot recreate the genuine spirit and aesthetic of them.  If you, dear readers, are familiar with classic Hollywood musicals, you will recognize that this film ties to be old-fashioned, but comes across as a pretender.

The film's score is quite good, and it has one great song “City of Stars” (which keeps playing in my head).  Most of the rest of the songs are technically proficient, but are exceedingly dull.  There is one more decent song (can't remember which one) and a catchy tune, “Catch a Fire,” co-written and performed by John Legend.

Still, La La Land has moments of brilliance.  Mia and Sebastian's meeting on a bench at Griffith Park is filled with movie magic, and the film's final moment recalls the semi-tragic mood of Casablanca.  The production values are terrific, including the Oscar-winning art direction and set decoration, and the Oscar-winning cinematography is some of the prettiest I have seen in the last decade.  Even the Oscar-nominated costume design is worthy of a win.

I can see why Barry Jenkins' Moonlight wowed enough voters to win the Oscar for “Best Picture” of 2016 over La La Land.  Moonlight is a fascinating character study, while La La Land is flashy cinematic bauble with caricatures.  It is technically proficient, but every good moment is met by a flat and dull moment.  La La Land is the film that could have been great, and should have been great, but ended up being just very good.

7 of 10
B+
★★★½ out of 4 stars


NOTES:
2017 Academy Awards, USA:  6 wins: “Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role” (Emma Stone), “Best Achievement in Directing” (Damien Chazelle), “Best Achievement in Cinematography” (Linus Sandgren), “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures-Original Score” (Justin Hurwitz), “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures-Original Song” (Justin Hurwitz-music and Benj Pasek-lyrics and Justin Paul-lyrics for the song, “City of Stars”), and “Best Achievement in Production Design” (David Wasco for production design and Sandy Reynolds-Wasco for set decoration); 8 nominations: “Best Motion Picture of the Year” (Fred Berger, Jordan Horowitz, and Marc Platt), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role” (Ryan Gosling), “Best Original Screenplay” (Damien Chazelle), “Best Achievement in Film Editing” (Tom Cross), “Best Achievement in Costume Design” (Mary Zophres), “Best Achievement in Sound Mixing” (Andy Nelson, Ai-Ling Lee, and Steven Morrow), “Best Achievement in Sound Editing” (Ai-Ling Lee and Mildred Iatrou), and “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures-Original Song” (Justin Hurwitz-music and Benj Pasek-lyrics and Justin Paul-lyrics for the song, “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)”)

2017 BAFTA Awards:  5 wins: “Best Film” (Fred Berger, Jordan Horowitz, and Marc Platt), “Best Leading Actress” (Emma Stone), “Best Cinematography” (Linus Sandgren), “Original Music” (Justin Hurwitz), and “David Lean Award for Direction” (Damien Chazelle); 6 nominations: “Best Leading Actor” (Ryan Gosling), “Best Screenplay-Original” (Damien Chazelle), “Best Editing” (Tom Cross), “Best Production Design” (Sandy Reynolds-Wasco and David Wasco), “Best Costume Design” (Mary Zophres), and “Best Sound” (Mildred Iatrou, Ai-Ling Lee, Steven Morrow, and Andy Nelson)

2017 Golden Globes, USA:  7 wins: “Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy,” “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” (Ryan Gosling), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” (Emma Stone), “Best Director - Motion Picture” (Damien Chazelle), “Best Screenplay - Motion Picture” (Damien Chazelle), “Best Original Song-Motion Picture” (Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul for the song: “City of Stars”), and “Best Original Score - Motion Picture” (Justin Hurwitz)

Saturday, July 2, 2022


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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A Negromancer July 2022 and the Dawn of Karapace

Welcome to July 2022. 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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Comics Review: "DRACULINA #4" is Fergalicious

DRACULINA, VOLUME 1 #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Christopher Priest
ART: Michael Sta. Maria
COLORS: Ivan Nunes
LETTERS: Willie Schubert
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Collette Turner with Arif Prianto
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Rose Besch; Guillem March; Rafael Kayanan; John Royle and Jagdish Kumar with Candice Han; Ergun Gunduz; Michael Sta. Maria with Ivan Nunes; Rachta Lin; Sun Khamunaki; Ron Leary; Michael Mettlen; Collette Turner; Collette Turner with Arif Prianto; Panda and Wonderllama Photography (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2022)

Rated Teen+

“90 Hours in San Francisco” Book Four: “Theogony”

Draculina is a Vamperilla comic book character.  She first appeared in Vampirella #2 (cover date: November 1969) and was likely created by Vampirella's creator, Forest J. Ackerman.  Draculina was depicted as Vampirella's younger or twin sister.

Now, Dynamite Entertainment has given Draculina her own comic book series, Draculina Volume 1, a spin off of the comic book series, Sacred Six.  It is written by Sacred Six writer, Christopher Priest; drawn by Michael Sta. Maria; colored by Ivan Nunes; and lettered by Willie Schubert.  The series focuses on Draculina, a woman who finds that she is of two natures, and one wants revenge on everyone who ever did her wrong, including that pesky other identity, a girl named “Katie.”

Draculina Volume 1 #4 (“Theogony”) opens on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California.  Katie finally has a meeting with Belial, also known as the mob boss, Giordano “Gio” Basci.  The bastard has also tipped off Draculina's jilted lover, and now she finds herself hunted by the “Reality Merchant,” Draculina's “husband” via an arranged marriage.

And yes, he can alter reality, and Katie is about to discover that unpleasant … reality.  That also includes everyone associated with Katie and Draculina.

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, the marketing department at Dynamite Entertainment has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Draculina Volume 1 #4, which is the fourth time I've read any story involving this character.

What a delightful series Christopher Priest has fashioned in Draculina.  It is one of the best trippy, time-spanning, dimension-hopping comic books that I have ever read.  Priest has also created a cast of delightful characters, and their engaging personalities keep the series grounded.

The art by Michael Sta. Maria also keeps the storytelling straight.  Sta. Maria's art is also pretty and slick, making Draculina feel like a comic and satirical romp and less like a vampire dark fantasy.  Ivan Nunez's glittery colors light up the story, and Willie Schubert's expert lettering keeps it straight.

Draculina isn't Vampirella filler material.  This is actually a stand-out comic book series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Vampirella characters and of writer Christopher Priest will want to try Draculina 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: "VAMPIVERSE PRESENTS: The Vamp #1" is a Hot One Shot

VAMPIVERSE PRESENTS: THE VAMP #1 ONE SHOT
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Thomas Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson
ART: Daniel Maine
COLORS: Francesca Cittarelli
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Jimmy Broxton
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: German Garcia; Daniel Maine; Ariel Diaz; Marco Turini; Sun Khamunaki; Jimmy Broxton; Rachel Hollon and David Turner (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2022)

Rated Teen+

Vampirella is a vampire and female superhero created by the late author and science fiction and horror expert, Forrest J Ackerman, and designed by 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 previous Vampirella comic book miniseries was Vampiverse.  The series and its creative team return in Vampiverse Presents: The Vamp #1 One Shot.  It is written by Thomas Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson; drawn by Daniel Maine; colored by Francesca Cittarelli; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  This one-shot focuses on a version of Vampirella that is a pulp-style hero in the vein of The Shadow.

Vampiverse Presents: The Vamp #1 One Shot opens in Salem City, specifically in Blaylock Tower.  The Vamp is extracting information about “the Cult of Chaos” in her own unique way.  In order to stop the cult, she must have the final fragment of “the Blade of Illumination.”

The Vamp's mission will take her to her secret monastery nestled in the Himalayas and to Castle Intuneric in Romania where she will face her most diabolical enemy, De Haven.  As he prepares for “the Rite of Regenesis” to welcome the Lords of Chaos, The Vamp tries to head off disaster.  This is a story of action and adventure featuring villains, Yetis, werewolves, ancient relics, mystical cults, old gods, and exotic locales, and we learn the origin of The Vamp.

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, the marketing department at Dynamite Entertainment has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Vampiverse Presents: The Vamp #1 One Shot, one of many Vampirella titles I have read.

With each of Vampiverse's six issues, Thomas Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson managed to make the series ever more enjoyable.  One of the miniseries' more intriguing characters was The Vamp, a pulp-style, gun-toting hero in the vein of Street and Smith Publication's pulp magazine hero, The Shadow, as written by Walter Gibson.

In Vampiverse Presents: The Vamp #1 One Shot, Sneigoski and Acheson present a 1930's style pulp action-adventure yarn.  It has a bit of everything 1930s and 40s: B-movie serials, H.P. Lovecraft, The Shadow, a setting in the Himalayas, and “lost world” fiction.  This comic book even looks like modern storytelling set in the 1930s, such as the films Raiders of the Lost Ark and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.

Artist Daniel Maine and colorist Francesca Cittarelli come to together for some rousing storytelling and even manage to recall the design and aesthetic of the late comic book writer-artist, Dave Stevens, who plumped the golden age of pulp in this beloved comic book, The Rocketeer.  Letterer Taylor Esposito creates a kind of movie theater sound with his lively lettering, transporting the reader to adventure.

In my review of Vampiverse #6, I wrote that I hoped something like it would appear again, and I got it with Vampiverse Presents: The Vamp #1 One Shot.  I hope that The Vamp returns in another one-shot comic book, or dare I wish for an entire miniseries?

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Vampirella comics will want to read Vampiverse Presents: The Vamp #1 One Shot.

[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"


https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


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

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

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