Levi Remington 4/12/17 Levi Remington 4/12/17

Review: Vampirella v4 #2

By Levi Remington

No, it wasn't the umpteenth revamp that captured my attention, nor was it the creative team. Instead, what finally led me to read a Vampirella title was the character herself. I had many questions. Why has she persisted for so long? What's her story? Is this title fueled by schlock, or has it gotten by for so long because its founded on a beloved, complex character? Well, after getting three issues deep into Dynamite's most recent run (don't forget the zero issue), I can safely say – with a tinge of sadness and regret – that this book does little to justify Vampirella's longevity. "You can't take the vampire out of the girl," the titular character so wisely observes, but at least you can take Vampirella off your pull list.

Dustin Cabeal 4/12/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/12/17

Review: Immortal Brothers: The Tale of the Green Knight #1

By Dustin Cabeal

I enjoy the Archer and Armstrong side of the Valiant Universe, particularly for Armstrong and his brothers which are a great concept. Each of them being an Immortal, but living out the ages differently. This issue covers once such journey and is a reimagining of Gawain and the Green Knight or better yet an infusion of the story into the Valiant Universe.

Jonathan Edwards 4/12/17 Jonathan Edwards 4/12/17

Review: The Once and Future Queen #2

By Jonathan Edwards

Okay, so, I honestly kind of forgot this book existed. It goes without saying that that's not great and doesn't bode well for the first issue's ability to leave a lasting impression. Although, when I did see this second issue listed on the spreadsheet, and took the second to register and remember it, I wasn't opposed to checking it out. If anything, I was actually interested to see what this issue did and, hopefully, how it was improved from the previous one. And then, as I started reading, something that probably should've occurred to me last time (but didn't) clicked, and I grew somewhat concerned. See, The Once and Future Queen is branded as a "retelling of Arthurian Legend." However, Arthurian Legend is comprised of a whole lot of material, and this is a 5-issue limited series. It's always possible that the creators are planning successive limited series to follow this one, but that doesn't really stop me from wondering if we're really getting what it says on the tin. And unfortunately, The Once and Future Queen #2 only reinforced this concern.

Dustin Cabeal 4/12/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/12/17

Review: Seven to Eternity #5

By Dustin Cabeal

Never thought I’d be here again, reviewing Seven to Eternity, but it was a busy week, and none of the other reviewers picked it up. Everyone is going to wish that they did because I’ve never been a fan of this series and this issue didn’t make me one.

Daniel Vlasaty 4/9/17 Daniel Vlasaty 4/9/17

Review: Grass Kings #2

By Daniel Vlasaty

Grass Kings is back with its second issue. If you read my review for issue #1, you’ll know that I loved it, and that I have high hopes for this book moving forward. I was excited to see this title come up on the review list and jumped at the opportunity to get back out to the Grass Kingdom. Second issues are tricky things, I think. These are the issues that really set the tone for a book, because first issues are all about hooking the reader. But second issues have to slow it down a bit and give readers something to latch onto. Usually second issues will take a step back and spend some time on character development. And that’s exactly what issue #2 of Grass Kings does.

Dustin Cabeal 4/8/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/8/17

Review: Ominous Press – World Premiere #1

By Dustin Cabeal

Preview issues and zero issues always present an interesting challenge when reviewing. They’re essentially an issue made to entice a new reader into picking up the full issue. In a way, the review then is more about how successful the issue is at that than it is about the quality of the stories and art.

Dustin Cabeal 4/7/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/7/17

Review: Godshaper #1

By Dustin Cabeal

It’s not hyperbole to say that Godshaper is one of the most unique comics I’ve ever read. Whereas a lot of Simon Spurrier’s work at BOOM! has been fringe sci-fi stories, this one is much more grounded. The reason it works though is that the artist is so fucking talented. This story lives or dies by Jonas Goonface’s artwork.

Levi Remington 4/6/17 Levi Remington 4/6/17

Review: Shade, the Changing Girl #7

By Levi Remington

For an issue that's been marketed as "stand-alone," this week's Shade, the Changing Girl is surprisingly reliant on context. It may not be new-reader friendly, but it's a must for anyone following the series. Read ahead for my thoughts as we dive deep into Loma's past and prepare for the annual winter dance.

Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17

Review: The Courier: From The Ashes #1

By Dustin Cabeal

Listen if we all make it to the dystopian future I’m going to give you a piece of advance, use in-house couriers. There’s a lot of reasons to do this, but the biggest is that it’s cheaper in the long run. It makes someone in your crew feel like a vital part of the team, and you don’t have to give out money to strangers. The second reason is that anytime there’s a courier, be it dystopian or otherwise, they eventually pick a side in a confrontation, and that could bite you in the ass.

Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17

Review: Zombie Tramp – Easter Special

By Dustin Cabeal

I was always a fan of the holiday specials when growing up. I remember a DC Christmas special with particular fondness. These days, they’re making a bit of a return, and much like when I was growing up some are good, and some are shit. I rank the Zombie Tramp specials in the former as the series has always found creative ways to tie into the theme of the holiday, without it being annoying, point in case the Easter special.

Jonathan Edwards 4/5/17 Jonathan Edwards 4/5/17

Review: Mighty Man #1

By Jonathan Edwards

As much as I've heard about Erik Larsen (which is admittedly not a ton, but enough to be generally familiar with his work), I don't think I've ever actually sat down and actually read something from him. So, I figured a one-shot focusing on one (with several others being present) of his characters seemed as good a place as any to start. And to its credit, I nothing about the characters and world lost or confused me. It was all pretty straightforward or easy enough to infer.

Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17

Review: Infinite 7 #3

By Dustin Cabeal

The story of Infinite 7 is finding its stride, but the problem I continue to have with the series is that each issue has a lengthy backstory for one of the seven members. While that’s not terrible, it doesn’t leave much room for the rest of the story.

Jonathan Edwards 4/5/17 Jonathan Edwards 4/5/17

Review: Darkness Visible #3

By Jonathan Edwards

This was an odd direction to go with the third issue. We'd just finished setting the stage for Daniel Aston's story to really kick off. But now, instead of doing that, we're being yanked back in time to World War II so we can learn how the Shaitan came to co-exist with humans in modern Britain. It's not like that an inherently bad or uninteresting concept, I just don't see any good reason for doing it now. Especially when there doesn't appear to be any real connection to the main story. It's just "yep, this is how it happened." That being said, it's not a bad issue in and of itself.

Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17

Review: Beast Wagon Finale

By Dustin Cabeal

Beast Wagon has been a hell of a ride. A story set in a zoo in which all the animals talk like people in their thirties but then filled with so many political, social and cultural comments that it’s hard to digest everything in one reading.

Daniel Vlasaty 4/5/17 Daniel Vlasaty 4/5/17

Review: Black Cloud #1

By Daniel Vlasaty

Black Cloud is a book where I really have no idea what’s going on. I read it twice and I still feel like I’m just barely starting to understand. Like I’m just starting to kind of maybe get it. Black Cloud is about storytelling. It’s about how life is a story. It’s about the story that’s all around us, the one we’re living in right now. It’s also about dreams and magic and fear and history and adventure. Jason Latour and Ivan Brandon have created something really special here. Because, even though this is a complex and difficult first issue, it’s also beautiful and welcoming and invigorating.

Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17

Review: Deathstroke #16

By Dustin Cabeal

Goddamnit, I’m back again for Deathstroke. One day I’ll take a break from these reviews just to catch a breath from my perspective, but as long as Power Girl is in this series, I’m there. Speaking of which, this was almost a very different review because of something that happened in the issue. It was almost a, “How dare you” type of review. Not really, but I would have been very sad.

Daniel Vlasaty 4/5/17 Daniel Vlasaty 4/5/17

Review: Rock Candy Mountain #1

By Daniel Vlasaty

I know of Kyle Stark through his amazing and ridiculous and fantastic Sexcastle. That book hit me out of nowhere. I had never even heard of it until I saw it on the shelf in the shop I was working in at the time. Just seeing the title on the spine, I knew I was buying that thing immediately. And I finished it in like an hour. It was so good. An homage to all the so-bad-they’re-actually-kind-of-good action/comedy movies of the 80s. I loved it. Anyway, what I mean to say is that Kyle Starks has a new book! And this is my review of the first issue!

Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17

Review: Brave Chef Brianna #2 (of 4)

By Dustin Cabeal

The plot for this second issue was lost on me. It seems to be manufactured to bring Brianna and Suzan together on a united front, but the biggest question that the series has presented continues to go unanswered. Is Brianna breaking the “monster rules” and cooking with flour and sugar and other things that make food tasty?

Levi Remington 4/5/17 Levi Remington 4/5/17

Review: Eleanor and the Egret #1

By Levi Remington

In John Layman and Sam Kieth's eclectic and surreal ode to classic European fables, Eleanor and the Egret #1 tells the story of Eleanor, a woman who steals art from all across Paris with the help of her magical pet bird, an Egret, who eats the stolen art and consequently expands in size by a significant degree, as birds do. Read ahead for my thoughts on the delightful beginnings of this bizarre miniseries. In the meantime, I'll be pondering the origins of a feather with Cheswick the cat, lamenting the absence of my Bird-Identification specialties, and picking advanced locks with the beak of a mystical heron.

Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17 Dustin Cabeal 4/5/17

Review: Savage Things #2

By Dustin Cabeal

There is a lot to enjoy about Savage Things as long as serial killers being used as terrorist agents is your cup of tea. In a lot of ways, Savage Things is either the American answer to James Bond or Jason Bourne with psychopaths. Take your pick on which sounds more appealing to you.