Title: Superstar As Seen on TV (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Kurt Busiek (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Jim Black (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" Highly recommended."
Review:

For a short time, some writers and artists banded together to create the Gorilla Comics line. Among the creators were Mark Waid, Barry Kitson, Kurt Busiek, Stuart Immomen, Karl Kessel, and others. I really liked what they produced. Unfortunately, due to various circumstances, it did not last. One of the titles that I missed was Superstar: As Seen on TV by Busiek and Immomen. Their Shockrockets was a great title that I enjoyed.


Superstar is the story of a hero whose powers increase with his popularity. Even though he does not necessarily want to be in the limelight, he has to put in public appearances, etc. to keep his power supply replenished. This one shot establishes the character, his supporting cast, the rogues gallery, and his world. It may be a one shot, but you come away feeling like you have read this character for a long time. Busiek is a master at characterization. Although Superstar takes place in a bitter hypocritical world, Busiek brings out the core concepts of the classic super hero. The best comparison I can give is a Peter Parker/Spider-Man type character in the original Booster Gold series. Most of the characters are self-centered and are looking to make a fortune but the main character has a passion for doing the right thing and helping others that is refreshing to read about. I would love to see this character be brought back for a regular series. Of course he defeats the villain at the end but suffers many personal defeats once the battle is over.


The last two pages could have shown a depressed victimized hero but Busiek took it a different direction and shows that no matter what the circumstances are, a hero can keep a positive attitude in the face of adversity.

The storytelling methods he employs are similar to his Astro City title. The main difference is he shows a little more of the hero/villain battles.

Stuart Immomen and Wade Grawbarger turn in some great art. It is a perfect combination of realistic and classic super hero art. It is the same style they used in the Shockrockets book.

My only complaint about the title was that we only every saw one issue. I hope that someday the creators will return to follow the further adventures of Superstar.

Highly recommended.

More info:

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Stuart Immonen
Inker: Wade Von Grawbadger

Publisher:

 

Title: Return of the Monsters Phantom Detective vs. Frankenstein (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Aaron Shaps (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Iann Robinson (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" Here’s to hoping Moonstone Comics never run out of monsters or heroes."
Review:

Sometimes it’s nice to take a break from the norm. Let’s put away the battle scars, the new 52s and all the trappings of the Big Two and go back to a simpler time. Moonstone Comics champion that idea with their recent Return Of The Monsters series. This month we get The Phantom Detective vs. Frankenstein, pitting the mystical dark detective against the legendary monster in a mystery involving murder, mayhem and Nazis. It’s the era of the 30s, where gangsters, newspapers, and coppers are all trying to settle into a new world of brick and steel. Wealthy playboy Richard Curtis Van Loom turns his wealth against the underworld as the mysterious Phantom Detective.

What makes these issues work so well is how focused they are on the setting. Writer Aaron Sharps understands the mentality behind comics of the Golden Age and he’s clearly having fun with it. The story is simple; Doctor Frankenstein did not die in the Arctic. Instead, he escaped to America and sired a child. The Nazis, searching for the method of returning the dead to life, are tracking Frankenstein’s grandchild in hopes he’ll hold some of the dark family secrets. Enter the Phantom Detective, who is brought into a murder scene when the cops discover a sinister laboratory beneath it. The Phantom Detective tracks the Nazis down just before they begin torturing Frankenstein’s grandson.


From the depths comes the Frankenstein monster, who has watched over the descendant of his creator all these years. Really, the only rub is that the two never battle, but rather help Frankenstein’s grandson escape to a new life. It’s a quick, fun and easy story that mimic those great monster books of years past. Aaron Sharps even nails the dialog. The Phantom Detective vs. Frankenstein never sounds forced - it never sounds like a modern writer trying to script Golden Age material. I was especially fond of how violent the book was. Old comics were harsh and sometimes the nostalgia for the era leaves that out. Here we get to enjoy the Phantom Detective cutting off heads and stabbing people.

The only modern touch comes with the art, though in a very subtle way. Jay Piscopo clearly takes his cues from the Golden Age. The simple black and white shading, the over-the-top expressions on the characters faces, it’s all very reminiscent of the 30s and 40s. Where Piscopo slips in his modern touch is panel placement. Instead of the Golden Age block paneling, Piscopo throws in some newer ideas. Whole pages being paneled by the smoke from Phantom Detective’s infamous smoke bombs.

At one point and exchange between the cops and the Phantom Detective is highlighted on each page by the head of the man talking with panels describing his story surrounding him. None of the modern work takes away from the Golden Age feel, but it does help make the book more exciting. Here’s to hoping Moonstone Comics never run out of monsters or heroes.

More info:

Story by Aaron Shaps
Art by Jay Piscopo, Andrew Froedge, Dan Brereton
Type: Comics : Indy
Genres: Horror

Publisher:

Title: Transformers: Robots In Disguise (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): John Barber (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: seaberry (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" I eagerly await the next issue. "
Review: Transformers: Robots In Disguise #1

Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1 is the second ongoing Transformers series that IDW has begun this month. RID is a companion series to Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye. MTMTE focuses on Rodimus and his crew as they search for the Knights of Cybertron. RID focuses on the Transformers left on Cybertron.

Centuries of war between the Autobots and Decepticons have ravaged the planet. The planet is actually attacking them on occasion. The Autobots have established themselves as the authority on Cybertron. The Decepticons govern themselves and they also police the non-affiliated indigenous lifeforms, or Nails. All Decepticons have had Inhibitor/Deterrence chips implanted in their heads as a means of controlling them. Bumblebee is the leader of the Autobots, Ratbat is the leader of the Decepticons, and Metalhawk is the spokesperson for the Nails.


John Barber has crafted a very interesting story full of subplots and intriguing developments. After watching so many cartoons and reading so many comics focusing on the Cybertronian war, I never even considered what the aftermath of the war would be like. The politics and maneuvering between the different factions is very interesting and it puts longtime supporting characters like Bumblebee, Prowl, and Ratbat in a new light.

Optimus Prime left Cybertron and Rodimus and his gang are in space, so this leaves room for some of the lesser-known Transformers to take center stage. Also, Andrew Griffith‘s pencils are solid and really capture the seriousness of the current situation on Cybertron. Similar to MTMTE, RID has forced me to pay attention to characters that I never gave more than a passing thought to (such as Ratbat) and added a new dimension to the epic Transformers saga. I eagerly await the next issue.

More info:

Written by John Barber
Interior Art by Andrew Griffith
Cover by Marcelo Matere
Colors by Josh Perez
Letters By Shawn Lee

Publisher:

Title: Pilot Season: Stealth (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Robert Kirkman (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Troy Mayes (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" All in all this is an issue that I thoroughly recommend you buy. "
Review: Stealth #1

To be honest I picked up this issue because it had a fairly bad-ass looking cover. The character on the front looked like a cross between Spawn and Archangel from X-Men, awesome. After reading the issue I discovered that it’s more than just an awesome cover.

The issue is part of Top Cow’s Pilot Season. Basically, Top Cow applies the TV show principal to comics, except they add in a whole lot more fan interaction. The 2009/10 Pilot Season sees Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri teaming up for five one-issue comics. Once all five comics have been released, fans are able to vote for their favorite one. At the end of voting the character with the most votes will receive their own Top Cow series. It’s an interesting concept which they’ve been running since 2007 with a fair degree of success.

This information helps you to understand what Stealth is all about. It needs to appeal to audiences and create the most amount of interest it can so it will gain a full series. It needs to show the potential the series has by bringing up a large amount of questions, concepts and ideas. The reader needs to, at the end, think “man, I want to read more of that,” and I think Stealth does that very well.

Kirkman, on the back page, describes what he wants to do with Stealth. He wanted to do something which “looked like a classic superhero comic from the 70’s or 80’s but was a much darker, modern superhero story. Something that looked dated, but could never have actually existed in that time period.” Together, Kirkman and Mitchell have achieved that look.

As you’d expect from a title called Stealth, there is a fair bit of misdirection going on, especially if, like me, you knew nothing about it going in. The story sets you up to believe one thing, through some choice dialogue and narrative structure, and then shows you something else. Mitchell’s artwork helps with this as it creates a somewhat familiar world setting. It reminds you of the classic, cut and dry superhero stories that take place in real life locations like New York. There’s nothing abstract or strange about the artwork; instead it seems to aim for a degree of realism and has an air of naturalism to it. Everything looks right and how it ought to be.

That’s not to say there aren’t some stunning pieces of artwork in Stealth. For instance, the use of blues, whites and grays in our first look at Stealth, flying through the air, is brilliant. The costume reflects the color of the sky and really seems to suggest that Stealth is more at peace when working under the cover of night. Also the final page, with its dissolving of the background to white, really highlights the image you are left with and hammers home the seriousness of the story.


The setting they create makes the story's main draw card seem that much more powerful. After setting you up to believe that the blonde-haired, middle aged, pet project owning Todd is the titular superhero Stealth, Kirkman turns the story — and your expectations — on their head by introducing Todd’s Alzheimer suffering father as the superhero Stealth. The shock that Todd feels at finding out who his father really is gets echoed by the reader, who finds out the character most expected to be the hero is, in fact, not.

When the reader, and Todd, seem to get over the shock of discovering the true identity of the father, Kirkman and Mitchell throw another shocking, powerful image at you. I don’t want to spoil too much of the story, but the last few pages are so powerful and thought-provoking that they are definitely worth the issue price alone.

Few stories have dealt with their heroes actually getting old. I’ve read Wolverine: Old Man Logan and glanced at Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns with its middle-aged Batman, but I’ve never read anything like this. It reminds me of the Ultimate’s universe where the heroes are affected by modern day, realistic problems like sex-tapes and issues readers can relate to. Stealth picks up on that thread with its dealing with Alzheimer’s and asks how dangerous this disease is, especially in the hands of a powerful superhero?

The biggest disappointment, from this issue, is that there’s a good chance we might never see any more of Stealth. If it doesn’t win the voting, then we are left with this one issue. While it’s a remarkable entry, it does spend a lot of its time trying to build up a world, a story and potential for growth that it almost asks too many questions for one issue. There is also some cringe worthy, confusing and not quite thought out dialogue, but it’s not a constant feature of the issue.

All in all this is an issue that I thoroughly recommend you buy. Then, when it comes time to vote for your favorite Top Cow Pilot Season comic, vote for it. This is a story that seems to be crying out to be told; it just needs to be given a chance.

More info:

Story by Robert Kirkman, Marc Silvestri
Art by Sheldon Mitchell
Cover by Marc Silvestri

Publisher:

Title: Batman Beyond (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Adam Beechen (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Michael "Skitch" Maillaro (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" I’ve really enjoyed these first three digital issues of Justice League and Batman Beyond. "
Review: Batman Beyond #1

Summary (contains spoilers): This issue starts with Batman (Terry McGinnis) confronting a group of Jokerz in a magic shop. Terry feels this is almost beneath him:

Batman is making pretty short work of these guys. From his control center, Bruce Wayne immediately notices that these Jokerz aren’t from Neo Gotham. Their markings suggest that they are a gang of Jokerz from Star City.

The battle is being observed by a mysterious shadowy figure who seems to be manipulating events. He seems to have an inside man in GCPD and is bringing in Joker gangs from all over the country.

Meanwhile, Terry’s friend Max (who made a deal with a computer based criminal network called Undercloud in one of the last issues of the last Batman Beyond series) is changing a seemingly innocous piece of data at the computer systems of a small credit union. She seems to be doing what she’s asked, but at the same time, figuring out how she can take down Undercloud.

Bruce Wayne meets with Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon and they talk about their concerns with all these Jokerz coming to town, wondering what they could possibly be planning.


Review: Who chose that color for the credits page? Bret Hart? It was just painful on the eyes! Whoever thought black and white writing on a pink background was a good idea clearly is as deranged as one of the Jokerz.

This issues was a really good way to bring Batman Beyond back. The Jokerz are probably the best known of Batman Beyond’s reoccurring enemies. I always love the mysterious shadowy figure working with some kind of agenda that is clear only to him. The idea of bringing in Jokerz from all over the country to Neo Gotham definitely should be a great challenge for our hero.

I do think it could have been cool if the different DC cities in the Beyond universe had their own villain-based gangs (I want to see Central City’s Coldz or Opal City’s Mistz), but I guess Joker really is DC’s best known villain, so it makes sense that he would have acquired a nationwide cult following.

One thing DC has done a lot lately is to bring back some of my favorite creators from years past. Norm Breyfogle has always been one of my favorite Batman artists, and his crisp, tight style works perfectly on Batman Beyond. I especially loved how different he managed to make each of the Jokerz look, and Batman Beyond’s exasperated look on the opening page really helped kick start the book right.

Adam Beechen has a great handle on Batman Beyond and his supporting cast. Honestly, any real complaint I would have about this book is just because of how much I missed it the last few months, and the storylines that were left hanging. I want to know what’s been going on with Bruce Wayne taking a more direct hand with Wayne Enterprises. Also, Terry’s girlfriend’s brother had just gotten out of jail and that seemed to be building someplace big too.

Solicits for upcoming issues definitely suggest all of this will be dealt with, but patience is not my strong suit. I do love that Max’s story with the Undercloud was addressed right in the first issue.

Oh! Before I forget, I made a promise for this review. Promised I would name drop my friend Tasha, so HI TASHA!!

I’ve really enjoyed these first three digital issues of Justice League and Batman Beyond. It definitely was the right way to bring the series back. Batman Beyond was one of my favorite comics when it abruptly ended (still haven’t quite figure out why) when DC decided to do Relaunch. It has been a long six months without Terry and company, and I am glad to have it back!

Final Score: 8.0 – A strong return for Batman Beyond. Not shattering any barriers or breaking new ground, but solid storytelling, great characters, and Norm Breyfogle art definitely make this well worth 99 cents!

More info:

Written by: Adam Beechen
Art by: Norm Breyfogle
Colored by: Andrew Elder
Lettering by: Saida Temofonte

Publisher:

Title: Ragemoor (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Jan Strnad (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Gilbert Short (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" If you like horror books set in Britain, there’s no reason you shouldn’t pick this up."
Review: Ragemoor #1

When you’re at a house called RAGEMOOR you’d think it’d be your typical teenage party flick. That sounds like a teenage movie, right? Lord knows it’s a better name than “Project X.”

Anyway, check past the cut for more!

Sometimes there are books that defy description, try as you might, the books just come off as something you can’t really compare it to. This book is one of those properties. The easiest way to describe it is as “the Island from LOST if it was the setting of American Horror Story and aired on Masterpiece Theatre.” However, that’s a crude, and barely adequate description, as complicated as it already is.

While it’s certainly crude, that premise is a promising one, and it definitely brings you in. Jan Strnad, the creator the series, who has experience mostly in the Star Wars expanded universe created a setting that doesn’t fail to entertain. The backstory is quickly and effectively told, making it a lot easier to get drawn into the main story at hand. Some horror books get stuck in the backstory and the main story never really takes off because of this. "Ragemoor" doesn't fall into this category, however, and benefits thoroughly because of it.


One of the most entertaining parts of the book is the sheer British-ness of it all! As I said before, the book feels like it could be a scene from a Masterpiece Theatre series like Downton Abbey for instance. While the book doesn’t hold back with the scares and at one point, has a really terrifying scene involving the maid and the property, never loses it sense of fun between the covers. Any book that uses the term “Poppycock” not once but twice succeeds in this regard. Everyone is terrible, but in the best way. They’re likable in spite of themselves.

The real highlight of this book, however, lies in the art. Rochard Corben, the illustrious artist who handles not only the pencils but the inks does so in a way that I could not describe with mere words, you have to see it to experience a master at work. The pencils are sublime, effortless in their application, and the inks somehow add to the perfection in the art, providing a depth that only Corben could ever hope to give. It’s actually intimidating to speak of how amazing his work is, because there’s no POSSIBLE way my words will ever do his talent and skill developed over the past decades the justice it deserves. Even the lack of color was a step you that brings this head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. It would have only detracted from the beauty on the pages. It’s just amazing. Corben is an example of an artist not “losing it” over time, which is terribly common these days.

Bottom line, if you like horror books set in Britain, there’s no reason you shouldn’t pick this up. The combination of story and art makes for one of my favorite books this month, and I didn’t expect to say that at all.

Final Verdict: 8.5 - Buy

More info:

Writer: Jan Strnad
Artist: Richard Corben
Cover Artist: Richard Corben
Genre: Horror

Publisher:

Title: The New Deadwardians (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Dan Abnett (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Erik Norris (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" I think you'll find a lot to like with this series even if you're feeling the effects of undead fatigue."
Review: The New Deadwardians #1

Dan Abnett and artist I.N.J. Culbard's new Vertigo series is quite charming for a book depicting class warfare between vampires and zombies. In this first issue, Abnett introduces us to the book's main protagonist, Chief Inspector Suttle, as well as some of the book's ancillary cast members. Everyone from Suttle to his butler to his mother is depicted with enough characterization in this first issue to make you come away interested in continuing their adventures. Abnett's decision to set this book in England during the early 1900s just makes the cast of proper English folks all the more enjoyable.


Additionally, I started to fall in love with I.N.J. Culbard's artwork due mostly to its simplicity. Culbard's pencils are refined and clean, and he never goes overboard with layouts or panels. But what he does provide in his artwork is impressionable characterization and charm. Culbard's work is the definition of simple yet elegant.

New Deadwardians #1 is, in my opinion, the best of the new Vertigo #1's thus far. The cast is enjoyable and the mystery afoot is one I'm interested in seeing through. If you're skipping out on this book because it's "just another" vampire/zombie book at Vertigo, get that thought out of your head. I think you'll find a lot to like with this series even if you're feeling the effects of undead fatigue. This is a fresh concept that's pulled off quite well with its first issue.

More info:

Written by Dan Abnett
Artist: I.N.J. Culbard

Publisher:

Title: First Wave (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Brian Azzarello (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Mel Odom (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" This First Wave feels very much like a roller coaster ride..."
Review: First Wave #1

DC Comics is trying something new with their approach to a separate world/franchise than their superhero universe (now equipped with 52 Earths). They’re mixing some pulp heroes like Doc Savage, The Avenger, and others with some of their more iconic (a different take on Batman) and almost forgotten heroes like the Blackhawks and Rima the Jungle Girl. Azzarello is also offering new takes on Black Canary, Wildcat, and the Spirit.The idea sounds intriguing, but it’s going to take a lot to convince me that the new direction is something I want to pursue as an avid Doc Savage fan. The setting is now Los Angeles of the 1940s instead of New York, and Batman carries guns in shoulder holsters. That was a definite change of pace for me when I picked up the Doc Savage/Batman one-shot, and I wasn’t sold them.Azzarello is a fantastic writer, though, so I’m going to give him some time to develop the property. I loved 100 Bullets and some of the Batman stuff he’s done. He’s edgy and not afraid to take a story to the limit, and he doesn’t shy away from the dark places in men’s souls.However, this is Doc Savage, one of the most iconic heroes out there. He’s the original Boy Scout, full of honor and integrity. I grew up on Doc. I wanted to be Doc when I was 12 and 13 years old. He had fantastic adventures in faraway place I couldn’t even imagine.This initial comic serves to set up the series, and there’s just too much information coming in at once. But it’s a big world, and Azzarello jumps into it with both feet.


There’s a lot of switching around, a lot of storylines that get shaken into motion all at one time.Doc’s dad has just been murdered, and there’s a mystery regarding that event that gets even more mysterious. After John Sunlight was introduced (he’s the only Doc Savage villain that showed up more than once), I understood that the man seen running in the first few pages of the comic was William Harper Littlejohn, Johnny, one of Doc’s regular crew. So there’s a lot of ties to the original Doc Savage series.The Spirit’s plot line takes him into the path of the Blackhawks, and I’m certain all of this is going to tie up somewhere. Azzarello is a dedicated plotter and master of twists, so I’m enjoying the different takes on various aspects of the mythos.I’m going to enjoy the series as its own construct, but I can’t help feeling the shadow (pun intended) of the old pulps hanging over this series. I’m glad I’m going to be surprised and occasionally (I’m certain) offended, but part of me (that 12 year old boy) still wishes someone would take a run at Doc in a pure vein. I’m waiting to see what the Doc Savage monthly title springing out of this six-issue mini-series is going to do.This First Wave feels very much like a roller coaster ride, and I’m looking forward to/dreading each hairpin curve and torturous descent.

More info:

Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by Rags Morales

Publisher:

Title: Atomic Robo Real Science Adventures (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Brian Clevinger (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: admin (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" I enjoyed the heck out of it!"
Review: REAL SCIENCE ADVENTURES #1

The only thing that makes me happier than Atomic Robo is more Atomic Robo! Atomic Robo: Real Science Adventures makes me very happy! AR:RSA is a second ongoing series for the titular hero.

Real Science Adventure is an anthology book in the vein of the old Marvel Comics Presents. There are five total stores, three of which are “done in one” and two which are ongoing.

The opening story, To Kill A Sparrow, is arguably the strongest in the book. . . and Robo doesn’t even appear in it! Brian Clevinger creates an interesting spy dynamic and plenty of intrigue that has me chomping at the bit for more. Ryan Cody’s art has a Michael Avon Oeming flavor to it (always a good thing) that enhances the mood. He is one to keep an eye on!


The Revenge of Dr. Dinosaur had me laughing out loud. Then again, I laugh every time I read Dr. Dinosaur. He is the perfect counterpoint to Atomic Robo. He needs his own ongoing a’la Super-Villain Team-Up!

The other three stories were good as well. I must confess I have no idea where the other serialized story is going. But, it is strong enough and ends with a cameo that made me smile, so I will be curious to see what happens.

This book will be good for fans who, like me, cannot get enough Atomic Robo. It may be a difficult entry point for new fans as there is next to no information about Atomic Robo himself. As such, it will be difficult for a casual reader to really understand what is going on or who some of these people are. Luckily I am not one of those people, so I enjoyed the heck out of it!

Atomic Robo: Real Science Adventures is in comic shops today (as is Atomic Robo and the Ghost of Station X TPB which should be on everyone’s must-read list!)

More info:

Writer: Brian Clevinger
Artists: Ryan Cody, Yuko Oda, Chris Houghton, John Brogliz, Joshua Ross
Colorist: Matt Speroni
Letterer: Jeff Powell
Editor: Lee Black

Publisher:

Title: The Fourth Power (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Juan Gimenez (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Juju (Review 1) and Sergio (Review 2) (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" Juan Gimenez's art is the reason to pick this up. "
Review 1:

Juan Gimenez's art is the reason to pick this up. The Metabarons series, with Gimenez's amazing work, was one of the reasons I started reading comics again, so I have had a persistent curiousity about this book. I find the premise kind of stiff and it took me a while to get through the first half of this. The second half of the book is where it gets good and weird. Gimenez can draw some gorgeous shit, but he is really best when he's going batshit crazy.

Review 2:

The drawing is superb, the story is where this one falters. It's kind of confusing ar first. The second half is much better although it feels kind of rushed and trivial. In other words , it's not unreadable and the art is well worth the time invested.

More info:

Juan Gimenez story, art, pencil

Publisher:

Title: The 120 Days of Simon (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Simon Gardenfors (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: shabbir (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" The subject matter is of an adult nature but the visuals have the look of a children’s book."
Review:

Simon Gärdenfors cartoonist/rapper in Las Palmas sets out on 120 day road trip across Sweden. The rules are that he can not spend more than two nights in any one place, and he can’t go back to his apartment for 120 days. Simon sets up a website where people who want to offer him shelter and food can contact him. He keeps track of the trip by updating his travel schedule on his website.

The trip from start to finish is full of drugs, sex and lots of alcohol. In his travel across Sweden he meets some great characters and gets involved in some tricky situations. One of the strangest seem to be, after having some Mescaline Cactus he goes on a bad trip and believes he is overdosing. Some of his other exploits include getting death threats, getting beaten up badly by teenagers and pranking a TV crew with his friend, who follow him believing he is at a strangers house. Simon packed a lot in with just four months on the road. Along the way he learns a lot about himself and about the love of his life.


The art is very cute; we get two planes per page. Everything is simple and clear.

There was a lot of controversy when the graphic novel was released in Sweden. The first reason for this is the all the drugs in the story and the negative image that it brings with it. The second reason would be that Simon got a grant of 40,000 dollars for a high cost artistic project. Simon on the other hand does not really help himself. Some of the situations he finds himself in and some comments he makes, do not really put him in the best of light. As a graphic novel the subject matter is of an adult nature but the visuals have the look of a children’s book. The story has it all love, great characters, funny situations and lots of emotion. The graphic is very entertaining and you never know what’s coming next.

More info:

Written and drawn by Simon Gardenfors

Publisher:

Title: Ronin (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Frank Miller (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Andy (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" Ronin is a groundbreaking piece of graphic literature..."
Review:

Frank Miller is considered to have helped change the face of comics with his ground-breaking Batman story The Dark Knight Returns . However, this would never been possible had he not been provided with the opportunity to hone much of the style so evident in the Dark Knight before embarking on it. And the stomping ground he used to try out his ideas was Ronin.

Set in a bleak future, Ronin brings together many common aspects of dark science fiction, from the giant untouchable corporation to the artificial intelligence with an agenda of its own. Interspersed with this is a traditional Japanese story of a fallen Samurai looking to restore his honour by avenging the death of his master, clearly inspired by Koike and Kojima‘s Lone Wolf and Cub.


RoninThe weight of its influences are many, which can lead to an almost clichéd feel to some of the plot developments, though it’s easy to let these float past as you’re whisked away by the beautiful artwork. Miller uses as much space as he needs to tell the story, whether it’s a dramatic full spread showing off a simple image of a vast cityscape, a fast-paced samurai combat scene with manga’s characteristic speed lines, or a single panel crammed with essential dialogue. There’s plenty of room for all of these to live and breathe, yet barely an inch of space is wasted.

Next to The Dark Knight Returns, this isn’t as tightly plotted, though the artwork more than stands up on its own. Science fiction fanatics are likely to get more out of this than those more interested in the samurai side of things, but it’s the Frank Miller fan who’s going to get the biggest thrill of all. Ronin is a groundbreaking piece of graphic literature, bringing together a wide variety of influences and gelling ancient heroes with futuristic technology. But by paving the way for The Dark Knight Returns, all graphic novel fans owe its existence a debt of gratitude.

More info:

Frank Miller cover, art, story
John Costanza letterer
Lynn Varley colorist

Publisher:

Title: Ferals (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): David Lapham (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Troy Osgood (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" Why hasn’t this guy gotten more work before?"
Review: Ferals #1

I have a feeling that Werewolves are going to become the new zombies. For awhile everyone was doing a zombie story, and still are, but I’ve seen more and more werewolf stories coming out. That’s not a bad thing, as long as they’re good.

And Ferals is good.

Lapham’s story is strong, with the werewolf making only a brief appearance. But we see it’s handiwork to start off with. Lapham doesn’t pull any punches with the characterization. This is a messed up bunch of people, but in a way they are completely real. I get the feeling that Cypress is in Alaska or somewhere like that, and the actions/reactions of the people in Ferals come across as those in a small isolated town.

Dale Chesnutt is one of three cops in the town and he’s called in to the scene of a murder. The man, Mark, was ripped to shreds. Mark is Dale’s best friend, the ex-husband of Jackie, who reported the murder. She had come by Mark’s trailer to rob him, because the deadbeat never paid alimony or child support. Dale is also sleeping with Jackie. Messed up characters. Not to forget the strange girl, who I have a feeling will play a bigger role, that Dale picks up and has sex with before he goes and sees Jackie.


Messed up, but strangely they come across as more real then most characters in comic books. The dialogue and the way they talk to each other sounds real and true. Jackie matter of factly telling a drunk Dale that she’s on birth control because she got tired of him forgetting to bring condemns is a good example. There’s something white trash about all of them, but at the same time they come across as real.

And then the werewolf shows up and the real story begins. Where Lapham takes this should be interesting.

The art by Andrade is excellant. He’s very detailed and his figures are well done. Why hasn’t this guy gotten more work before? He’s very sound technically. He does a good job with a couple of the gory scenes and the background details are well done. He puts alot into the pages.

Ferals #1 receives
4.5 out of 5

More info:

Written by: David Lapham
Art by: Gabriel Andrade
Colored by: Digikore Studios
Cover Art: Gabriel Andrade
Managing Editor: Jim Kuhoric
Editor-In-Chief: William Christensen

Publisher:

Title: Mighty 7 (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): STAN LEE (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Jason Bowles (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" This book is too stupid to be real."
Review: STAN LEE’S MIGHTY 7 #1

Stan Lee, legendary co-creator of The Fantastic Four and Spider-Man among countless others, returns almost five decades later with a new super hero team concept. This issue introduces the cast, cosmic peace keepers from the Star Marshals, the winged Asoara and super strong Vallor, who are attempting to capture an apparent former Star Marshal, the laser slinging Blastok. The two factions battle and talk (a lot) for several pages, before the two heroes subdue Blastok and lock him up with a bunch of other cosmic crooks: the super fast Mercuria; the rotund Ovalax; the telekinetic Telepan; and his brother, the size-changing Faidout. The crooks combine their very basic super powers to get free. Vallor and Asoara battle them, once again spewing loads and loads of dialogue, until they crash land on Earth. And who happens to be sitting nearby, soul-searching? None other than Stan Lee, who is grappling with a bit of writer’s block, after the publishers of Archie comics ask him to come up with a new super hero concept.

There’s another subplot about a science experiment gone wrong that will introduce the book’s major villain, but it’s left open. (That’s him on the cover, though.)

I guess this book is written for children. At least I hope so. It was really awful. The characters names are worse than some of those from ‘Masters of the Universe’ and they had names like Castaspella and well, He-Man! In fact, these names and concepts are sillier and more simplistic than those employed by the contestants on Stan Lee’s gone and not-nearly-forgotten-enough reality TV show ‘Who Wants To Be A Super Hero!’ Seriously, Asoara… and she can soar! Blastok… and he fires energy blasts! It’s like a five year old came up with this! And did they really need a Bouncing Boy knock-off?


The art isn’t the worst I’ve ever seen, but it’s SO 90s! When Vallor and Asoara first appear, they are wearing navy jumpsuits with loads and loads of 90s-style accessories, padded shoulder pads, knee pads, utility belts, useless straps on legs and arms, bandoliers, wrist gauntlets and chunky work boots. (But judging by the cover, that will be alleviated once Asoara switches over to her new costume a leotard, bare legs and plunging neckline. Because that’s progress!) You also get the 90s staples of jackets and vests over spandex suits and so forth. Other than that, the storytelling is fine. The style isn’t my favorite, but it may have its fans. Last week, I praised ‘The Ray’ #4 for its innovative lighting effects. You’ll find none of that here. Just old school “impact bubbles” and drawn crackle effects.

I also don’t get the “World’s First Reality Comic Book” blurb on the cover. Is this supposed to be based on reality TV? Because this isn’t the first comic to do that. In 2003, Image published Todd Nuack’s ‘Wildguard’ which allowed readers to vote on which characters out of dozens would make the final team. Also, Marvel’s New Warriors adopted a reality TV theme which ultimately led to their deaths in ‘Civil War.’ Are we then expected to believe that the events in this comic are real that that Lee is revealing these tales to us after they had been covered up? Because this book is too stupid to be real.

This may or may not have been written for kids, but I have too much respect for the intelligence of any kid I know than to waste their time on this book.

Verdict: Burn

More info:

Scripted by Tony Blake, Paul Jackson with Stan Lee
Art and Cover by Alex Saviuk and Bob Smith

Publisher:

Title: Grimm Fairy Tales presents The Jungle Book (Click to go to the release post)
Writer(s): Mark L. Miller (Click to see other books from this writer released on this site)
Review source: Arcee (Don't click it, read the review here... )

" This book is about as close to perfect as Zenescope has come."
Review: Issue Number: 1

If you know a bit about me, you know that I am a bit of a purist when it comes to adaptations of properties from one medium to another. I understand a thing or two being changed to incorporate some of the adapter’s personality to come through in the work being done, but for the most part I prefer things to stay as close to the original source as possible. However, I tend to lend a lot more flexibility to the people over at Zenescope and the way they adapt and present classic works of literature in their comics. Not only do they completely spin some stories 180 degrees, they work in their own brand of horror and mystery into the stories they present – something successfully making them completely their own. That being said, I am happy to see that the changes they have made to Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book are well presented in their latest title, Grimm Fairy Tales presents The Jungle Book.


Right from the start, you see that the changes they make are somewhat drastic. The first and most important change is that of the main character, Mowgli. Mowgli has been changed to be a female character rather than a male. It is my belief that this change is actually for the better in this comic. One reason is that Zenescope has a strong reputation for creating strong and independent female lead characters. And if the gender change plays into the strengths of the writers, why not. Also, considering the agility and prowess Mowgli possess in the books, making him a leaner and more agile female makes sense. But I am stereotyping.

The second and also very noticeable change is that Mowgli isn’t the only human to happen upon the jungle world as a child. For a yet unexplained reason, three other children were kidnapped the same night as Mowgli was from her home and have crashed their way into the jungle the same day Mowgli did. This presents an interesting and unexplored twist in the series. As the children are seen as an omen for the jungle animals to end their war, one group of dominant animal species take one of the children to raise as their own at the insistence of Bagheera. The Tigers, the Chimpanzees, the Meer Kats and the Wolves each take one of the children and it is the wolves that take in Mowgli.

Other than the fact that the book ends with Mowgli challenging the bear Baloo, nothing more is explained in the first issue. Indeed, it does feel a bit light when it comes to dialog or narration, but the characters and scenery presented by artist Carlos Granda do a well enough job of telling the story without words. Seriously, Granda’s art in this issue is amazing. His art on Grimm Fairy Tales and Charmed have impressed me before, but he really ups his game for this series. This is the best art from him that I have ever seen. And they perfectly compliment Mark L. Miller’s scripting and writing skills in this issue. Indeed it seems as if this pair is in perfect tandem – at least for this issue.


I can’t wait to see what come in issue 2 of Grimm Fairy Tales presents The Jungle Book. This first issue, while a bit short on reading, really did a great job of setting up the stage, themes and characters that we should expect to see as this series progresses. Other than being a short read, this book is about as close to perfect as Zenescope has come.

More info:

Written by Mark L. Miller
Pencils Carlos Granda
Colored by Liezl Buenaventura
Lettered by Jim Campbell

Publisher: