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Night Club is a six-issue miniseries written and created by Mark Millar and drawn by Juanan Ramírez. An Image Comics publication and a Netflix production, Night Club focuses on a teen boy who is bitten by a vampire and decides to make the best of his new condition. Colorist Fabiana Mascolo and letterer Clem Robins complete Night Club's creative team.
Night Club introduces 17-year-old Danny Garcia, who had ambitions to gain fame and fortune as a YouTube star with his friends, DJ Sam Huxley and Amy Chen. Then, after a terrible accident, a vampire bites him, and his life goes awry. Instead of living like a stereotypical vampire, Danny decides to live “la vida loca” of a superhero.
Night Club #5 opens with Starguard (Danny), Thundercloud (Sam), and Yellowbird (Amy) in a tight spot. The man who rescued them, the former police Detective Nick Laskaras, is simply Laskaras, and he is holding them as his prisoners. He is creating an army, and he wants to be their leader – if they join him. Not that they have much choice, and they must listen to his origin story.
Danny and friends must realize that their superhero days are over. They must become bloodthirsty murderers, but for whom? Will it be Laskaras or vampire gang chieftain, Gunner Joe?
THE LOWDOWN: Netflix/Millarworld sends me PDF review copies of their comic books. Thus, I have been lucky enough to get review copies of the first five issues of Night Club.
Writer Mark Millar and artist Juanan Ramírez are offering big surprises with Night Club #5. Sure, there is an intriguing origin story, but this series is more than just about biting necks. Now, we're seeing strife between the (apparently) small number of vampires that currently exist. So with colorist Fabiana Mascolo and letterer Clem Robins, Millar and Ramírez flip the script for a really excellent read in this penultimate issue.
Night Club is infectious and addictive, a vampire comic book determined to be a new kind of batty. I am recommending Night Club #5 as I did the previous four issues. Drink deeply of its fun; this comic book has flavors in layers and waves. And it only costs a $1.99.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and of vampire comic books will want to be bitten by Night Club.
A+
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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TRASH IN MY EYE No. 23 of 2023 (No. 1912) by Leroy Douresseaux
The Little Mermaid (2023)
Running time: 135 minutes (2 hours, 15 minutes)
MPA – PG for action/peril and some scary images
DIRECTOR: Rob Marshall
WRITER: David Magee
PRODUCERS: John DeLuca, Rob Marshall, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Marc Platt
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Dion Beebe (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Wyatt Smith
COMPOSER: Alan Menken
SONGS: Howard Ashman (lyrics), Alan Menken (music), and Lin-Manuel Miranda (new lyrics)
FANTASY/DRAMA/FAMILY
Starring: Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Norma Dumezweni, Art Malik, and Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy and the voices of Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina
The Little Mermaid is a 2023 fantasy musical and drama film directed by Rob Marshall and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is a live-action remake of Disney's 1989, Oscar-winning, animated film, The Little Mermaid. Both films are loosely based on “The Little Mermaid,” the literary fairy tale authored by Hans Christian Andersen and first published in 1837. The Little Mermaid 2023 focuses on a young mermaid who longs to live in the human world and makes a terrible deal to do so.
The Little Mermaid introduces Ariel (Halle Bailey), a mermaid princess and the youngest daughter of King Triton (Javier Bardem), ruler of the merpeople. Ariel is fascinated with the human world despite never having seen it, as Triton forbids all merfolk from going to the surface. However, Ariel collects human objects that sink below the surface of the sea. She hides them in a grotto with the support of her best friends, Flounder (voice of Jacob Tremblay), a fish, and Scuttle (voice of Awkwafina), a seabird. Furious that Ariel has missed a meeting with him and her sisters, Triton commands Sebastian (Daveed Diggs), a crab, to watch over her.
Ariel eventually swims to the surface where she comes upon a human sea vessel. The ship, from an isolated island kingdom, is commanded by kingdom's Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King). Eric tells his confidant, Sir Grimsby (Art Malik), the kingdom's Prime Minister, that he wishes to explore the unknown seas in a bid to help his people, but he knows that his mother, Queen Selina (Norma Dumezweni), is against such exploration. Hearing that, Ariel considers Eric a kindred spirit.
After she saves Eric's life, Ariel is determined to visit him on his island home, but as a mermaid, she does not have legs. Fortunately … the sea witch, Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), says that she has the magic that can make Ariel human so that she can be with Prince Eric. However, the price is Ariel's beautiful singing voice, and, unknown to her, the fates of her father, their kingdom, and Eric.
I was not sure how Disney would pull off creating the undersea world of The Little Mermaid, especially the merfolk and other sea creatures. Silly me: in the wake of Avatar: The Way of Water, The Little Mermaid could certainly pull off a water world that isn't nearly as ambitious as Avatar's – and still look good. Under the sea and on land, the production design, art direction, set decoration, costumes, and environments are all dazzling. The result is a stunningly beautiful film in which the undersea world looks a real, but still magical environment. The island kingdom of Queen Selina seems like a kind of Caribbean utopia-lite, but it is both fantastical and inviting. I want to see more of it.
The computer imagery creates merpeople that are beautiful, although it is not until the end of the film that we see the full dazzling array of merfolk, no two looking alike. The special effects that turn Halle Bailey into a mermaid is try cinematic magic; she is a flawless, beautiful creature. Ariel's trio of animal friends and helpers: Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle resemble real animals, and I was surprised how good Sebastian looked. I thought he'd be a disaster as a CGI animal.
The performances – both acting and voice roles – are one of the elements that really makes The Little Mermaid work. Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina give winning voice performances as Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle, respectively. Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric holds his own next to Halle Bailey as Ariel, which is not easy. Melissa McCarthy is shockingly good as Ursula, and I didn't expect that. I was sure she could not pull it off, although I am a fan of her work. Her performance, which takes inspiration from the late actor, singer, and drag queen legend, Divine, gives this film the dark fairy magic energy that it needs.
Screenwriter David Magee cleverly spins something new out of old sources, but he is also respectful of the original film. What the new film lacks in the original's charm, it makes up for by seeming more consequential. Magee also benefits from having the classic songs of the late lyricist, Howard Ashman (1950-1991), and composer, Alan Menken, from The Little Mermaid 1989. Also, contrary to some complaints, Lin-Manuel Miranda's new songs and new lyrics for two of the original songs both serve this film quite well.
The true star of this film is Halle Bailey, however. Rob Marshall makes the most of Halle's natural gifts, especially her soaring singing voice, photogenic looks, and winning personality. The ads for this film are not lying; when Halle sings, the waters part. With Halle as his star, Marshall delivers his version The Little Mermaid that can stand on its own, apart from the Walt Disney animated classic that is its source. Yes, I find The Little Mermaid 2023 to be a tad bit too long, but I was surprised. The Little Mermaid is much better than I expected, and it feels like a true Disney fairy tale film.
7 of 10
A-
★★★½ out of 4 stars
Saturday, May 27, 2023
You may visit the Amazon LITTLE MERMAID page here.
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VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Cary Nord; Chris Ferguson; Dan Panosian (B&W)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2023)
Rated: “Teen+”
Black Tape is a four-issue comic book miniseries from writer Dan Panosian and artist Dalibor Talajić. Published by AWA Studios, the miniseries follows the widow of a rock'n'roll god who is dealing with her grief, even as dark forces conspire to obtain her late husband's last album, which supposedly has special powers. Colorist Ive Svorcina and letterer Steve Wands complete the series creative team.
In Black Tape, Jack King, one of the most influential rock 'n roll musicians of all time, suddenly dies on stage. Jack's mysterious death causes his widow, Cindy, both to grapple with grief and to ask some very important questions. For instance, was his death an accident or was it something far more sinister? And now, malevolent people are seeking the master tapes for the album Jack produced shortly before his death. Entitled “Black Tape,” it just might open a doorway to hell.
It is a dark and stormy night when Black Tape #4 opens. The acolytes of Jack King have gathered at the home he shared with his widow, Cindy. One of the acolytes, Frank, is spoiling for a fight with Cindy's friend, Cody. Soon, the “Black Tape” will be played, and Cindy will be sacrificed as part of a ritual – to open up a portal for Satan! Of course, nothing will go as expected.
THE LOWDOWN: AWA Studios' marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications. One of PDFs received is Black Tape #4, the second issue of the series that I have read.
I have not read the first two issues of Black Tape, but AWA Studios' marketing department has written up some perfectly detailed and aptly intriguing summaries for them. I can say that the publisher knows how to sell the book. I find myself intrigued by what I have read.
Writer Dan Panosian, who is also a hugely talented illustrator and comic book artist, has cast a devilish spell with Black Tape. In turn, Dalibor Talajić has transformed Panosian's story into powerful comic book and graphical storytelling. Black Tape looks and feels hoary and diabolical, and Ive Svorcina's colors creates a sense of shifting realities and nightmares. The cherry on top is Steve Wands' patient and matter-of-fact lettering, This resulted in a powerful penultimate chapter.
That said, Black Tape #4 is a bit of a letdown. It takes the easy way out. It can't go all the way in on the Apocalypse, nor can it play happy ending. This final issue is more like the end of the first chapter and the beginning of what will come next. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but it cheats the great ending that I know Panosian and Talajić could have delivered. Still, Black Tape will make a … helluva read in trade paperback form.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of fiction about people who sell their souls to the Devil and the subsequent consequences will want some Black Tape.
A-
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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).
CHILLING ADVENTURES PRESENTS... JINX: A CURSED LIFE #1
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.
STORY: Magdalene Visaggio
ART: Craig Cermak
COLORS: Ellie Wright
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald
EiC: Mike Pellerito
COVER: Craig Cermak
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Reiko Murakami
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2023); on sale in comic book shops April 5, 2023
Rating: Teen+
Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character. In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”
But Archie Comics has a dark side, as seen in the imprint “Archie Horror,” which has been around for almost a decade. The latest Archie Horror title focuses on Jinx Holliday, a modernized teenage version of the classic Archie character, Li'l Jinx. Created by Joe Edwards, the high-spirited young girl first appeared in Pep Comics #62 (cover dated: July 1947).
Jinx Holliday makes her full-length horror comics debut in the one-shot comic book, Chilling Adventures Presents... Jinx: A Cursed Life #1. It is written by Magdalene Visaggio; drawn by Craig Cermak; colored by Ellie Wright; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.
It is a dark and stormy night when Chilling Adventures Presents... Jinx: A Cursed Life #1 opens. That firecracker of a girl, Jinx Holliday, and BFF, Danielle “Danni” Malloy, are in a garage getting in some band practice for their two-piece garage band. Then, here comes Archie Andrews.
Archie wants Jinx to help his pal, Jughead Jones, because he is acting weird, and Archie is sure Jughead is possessed. He thinks Jinx can help with demonic possessions because … she is Satan's daughter! Jinx and (reluctantly) Danni embark on a mission to save Jughead. Is Jinx really the devil's daughter? And if she is, is she better at necromancy than she is at rock 'n'roll?
THE LOWDOWN: I have been reading comic books, on and off, for the better part of five decades. I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time, including some Archie Horror titles, especially Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Over the last few years, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.
Chilling Adventures Presents... Jinx: A Cursed Life, No. 1 is not great, but it is quite entertaining. Writer Magdalene Visaggio throws in some nice surprises and hooks in the narrative. The line work art of Craig Cermak serves the story well and is turned to eye candy by Ellie Wright's solid coloring. The story and art combine to make the story pop, and that's the way to go with a comics story about demonic possession. The pop catches both the story's humorous and edgy notes.
I rarely read modern-style Archie Comics' titles, but I would read some more of Jinx by this creative team. Halloween 2023 will be here before we know it.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Archie Comics' “Archie Horror” imprint will want Chilling Adventures Presents... Jinx: A Cursed Life, No. 1.
[This comic book includes a two-page section on the making of Chilling Adventures Presents... Jinx: A Cursed Life, No. 1.]
B+
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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).
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike Deodato, Jr. with Lee Loughridge
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2023)
Rated: “Teen+”
Red Zone is a four-issue comic book miniseries from writer Cullen Bunn and artist Mike Deodato, Jr. Published by AWA Studios, the series focuses on an American professor who must fight his way out of Russia where he lived a former life full of long-buried secrets. Colorist Lee Loughridge and letterer Steve Wands complete the series creative team.
Red Zone introduces Randall Crane, an unassuming professor of Russian and Slavic Studies at NYU. By request, he becomes part of U. S. Army Special Forces secret extraction mission into Russia. The target is Elena Sidorov, once a very close friend of the professor's. What she knows makes her a high priority asset to the U.S. When the mission goes wrong, however, Randall is alone and forced to summon the secrets of his past to save himself and Elena daughter, Nika.
As Red Zone #3 opens, Randall and Nika are scurrying about the alleys and back streets of Moscow, avoiding death by gunfire from above and mechanized death from behind them. Milena, a female assassin who was once the deadliest woman in the world, is perched somewhere above them, trying to take them out with sniper fire. Murderer for hire, Nikita Vasiliev, is an old enemy who now wears a hydraulic suit of armor. Hopefully, Nikita and Milena can get in each other's way before they kill Randall and Nika.
Even if they escape this pair, there are killers and spies at every step of the way. And their one hope may not be in the condition they need him to be.
THE LOWDOWN: AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications. One of them is Red Zone #3, the third issue of the series that I've read.
Writer Cullen Bunn has certainly created an edge-of-your-seat thriller in Red Zone. It is one of the few comic books in which I eagerly await each new issue, and this third issue does not disappoint. Bunn creates more exhilarating set pieces in a single issue than most comic books can offer in four issues.
In Red Zone, artist Mike Deodato, Jr. has created a page design and graphic design that presents a tapestry of thrills. His illustrative style in Red Zone is similar to the design artist B. Krigstein used for the classic EC Comics short story “Master Race” (Impact, April 1955). Deodato creates the visual suggestion that Crane and Nika are trapped at every turn – and they practically are. Around each page, on the borders and edges, however, are slivers of panels that anticipate the coming drama and action. It makes the art seems active rather than static.
The first issue of Red Zone was an excellent introduction to the series. The second issue was like an assurance that the first issue was no fluke. Red Zone #3 will make readers desperate to come back for more of this fine series.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of action and espionage in comic books will want to read Red Zone.
A
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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).
Tarzan is one of the most famous fictional characters in the world. Tarzan was an orphan and the archetypal “feral child,” and in this instance, he was raised in the African jungle by great apes. Tarzan was born a noble, John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, but he rejected civilization and lived in the wilds of Africa as a heroic adventurer. Tarzan was created by Edgar Rice Burroughs and first appeared in the novel, Tarzan of the Apes, which began serialization in All-Story Magazines in 1912, before it was published in book form in 1914. Tarzan would go onto to be a multimedia star, appearing in films, on television, and in comic books.
The latest Tarzan comic book is Dynamite Entertainment's Lord of the Jungle Volume 3. It is written by Dan Jurgens; drawn by Benito Gallego; colored by Francesco Segala; and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual. Tarzan's friend, an African local named Bouanga, recounts an event that occurs in the early years of Tarzan's adventures. Now, the Lord of the Jungle has returned to right a past wrong no matter what manner of beast or obstacle stands in his way.
Lord of the Jungle Volume 3 #5 (“Law of the Jungle”) opens in Africa, in the 1959. Tarzan's old friend, Bouanga, is being interrogated by local police. Where is Tarzan, they demand of Bouanga? Meanwhile, Tarzan has traveled to “ the Valley of Mists,” where he means to keep his promise to return the “Diamonds of the Triad,” the jewels that were once treasures from the Valley of Mists.
Bouanga tells the story of how Carson, a white hunter from England, first encountered Tarzan decades earlier. He also tells of the mission Tarzan undertook to save Bouanga's life – a mission to steal “the Treasures of the Mists.” What happened when Tarzan attempted to steal the diamonds? How went his meeting with the valley's inhabitants, the Tiakklan tribe, and Dzianni, their chief?
THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. One of them is Lord of the Jungle Volume 3 #5, which is only the fifth issue of a solo Dynamite Tarzan comic book that I have read.
Writer Dan Jurgens continues this old-fashioned jungle adventure that spans two eras of Tarzan's life. A gripping action-thriller, it enthralls and engages on every page. I like that Jurgens captures both the human and the wild-man-warrior in Tarzan and that he shows the vulnerability of both sides. Tarzan knows loyalty and apparently, has compassion, although that shouldn't surprise me.
Artist Benito Gallego's storytelling remains consistently good, and it is some of the most beautifully drawn comic book art being published today. It is a good thing that Gallego's drawing style resembles that of the late comic book legend, Joe Kubert. Kubert had a four-year stint (1972-76) as writer-artist and later as writer-only of DC Comics' Tarzan comic book series, considered by some to be among his best work.
Colorist Francesco Segala's lovely colors capture the varied moods of this story's settings, both in time and locale, and gives this tale a sense that it is from a bygone era. Letterer Carlos M. Mangual brings a sense of high drama and with his stylish, emotive fonts
Lord of the Jungle Volume 3 #5, like previous issues, strongly delivers on the potential the first issue promised. I rarely read Tarzan comic books, but I will read this series' entire run. I highly recommend it to you, dear readers.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Tarzan comic books will want to read Lord of the Jungle Volume 3.
A
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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).
