Dustin Cabeal 6/21/17 Dustin Cabeal 6/21/17

Review: Shirtless Bear-Fighter #1

By Dustin Cabeal

The punctuation for Shirtless Bear-Fighter is very important. I could just type examples over and over, but that would probably only amuse myself since no one that’s read a comic book for joy has every thought about grammar. If they did, then they would see the abysmal state of the English language in comics. We’re not here to talk about that or how I contribute to that statement weekly, but rather we’re here to take an early look at Shirtless Bear-Fighter from Image Comics.

Wes Jones 6/20/17 Wes Jones 6/20/17

Review: Condo Heartbreak Disco

By Wes Jones

Eric Kostiuk Williams’ Condo Heartbreak Disco is a superhero book that feels very little like a superhero book. We’re introduced to our amorphous, genderfluid, ancient deity heroes Komio and The Willendorf Braid in a near future Toronto. The bizarre couple attempts to save their city from very real and timely villainous force: gentrification, unaffordable housing, and an increasing class divide.

Patrick Wolf 6/20/17 Patrick Wolf 6/20/17

Review: The Girl in the Midnight Gown

By Patrick Wolf

Years ago I watched M. Night Shyamalan’s first bad movie: The Village. What’s interesting about The Village is that the film isn’t terrible in-itself. Had the movie been marketed honestly, I’m sure it would’ve received better reviews. The problem was The Village was advertised as a horror when really it was a romance, and that sat poorly with viewers. In many ways, The Girl in the Midnight Gown suffers from a similar fate.

Patrick Wolf 6/20/17 Patrick Wolf 6/20/17

Review: Untold # 1

By Patrick Wolf

There are two kinds of horror stories: masterworks that move us and filth that sickens us. While Untold doesn’t fit smoothly into any of these categories, it definitely leans more towards the latter. So, if you’re into smut stories like The Human Centipede or I Spit on your Grave, this is probably right up your lane. If you’re looking for something more akin to The Shinning or Aliens, however, I’d keep looking.

Jonathan Edwards 6/15/17 Jonathan Edwards 6/15/17

Review: Justice League of America #8

By Jonathan Edwards

No, this book still isn't any good, and no, I won't leave it alone. This issue feels like a whole new low in the perpetual suck that is this series. On top of characters being dumb, inconsistent, and poorly written, loads of development happening offpanel, a shitton of sloppy exposition telling us about said development, as well as an entirely artificial and manufactured conflict regarding the "hypocrisy" of Batman, Justice League of America #8 has the most convoluted train wreck of a story to date. Makson is a shit-tier villain, an even worse character, and the "twist" is flimsy and contrived at best. The fact that DC currently lists five more issues of JLA, all still written by Orlando, is insanity and could be used as proof for us living in an unfair world.

Shawn Warner 6/15/17 Shawn Warner 6/15/17

Review: Briggs Land: Lone Wolves #1

By Shawn Warner

Brian Wood has always been one of those writers that all I needed to see was his name on the cover and that particular book would not only ended on the counter with that week's new books, but inevitably on my pull list. Briggs Land was no different, I grabbed the first issue and raced home to read it as I had done with his Star Wars, DV8 and so many other great series, but Briggs Land was different and not at all in a bad way. Woods, for as good as he already was, was growing into an even better writer/ storyteller with this series.

Ashley Gibbs 6/15/17 Ashley Gibbs 6/15/17

Review: Heavenly Blues #1

By Ashley Gibbs

Heavenly Blues #1 is the start of a new series focusing on an unlikely pair of misfits as they deal with the trials and tribulations of the afterlife. I first heard about this series at a local convention where I met the creator, Ben Kahn. A cheerful fellow, he sold me on what this work. I fully admit this isn’t my usual cup of tea, however the story is unique to me and I also enjoyed the humorous dialogue for a story literally set in hell. I do warn readers that there is some violence and crude language present here, however, this first issue does a good job of setting up the adventure that’s about to unfold and draw you in for the next book.

Daniel Vlasaty 6/15/17 Daniel Vlasaty 6/15/17

Review: Normandy Gold #1

By Daniel Vlasaty

Hard Case Crime is one of my favorite publishers. They put out some great classic crime novels as well as modern day pulps. Recently, they have teamed up with Titan to release comic books, pairing crime writers with artists. I think this is awesome. And when I saw Megan Abbott’s name attached to this book, I was immediately pumped. I’ve read a few of her novels and think she’s a great writer. And I was interested to see her try her hand at writing a comic. Normandy Gold is co-written with Alison Gaylin, another crime writer. Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with her work, but will most likely be checking it out now after reading this comic book.

Levi Remington 6/14/17 Levi Remington 6/14/17

Review: Kill the Minotaur #1

By Levi Remington

Skybound has a new take on the classic myth of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth and it's delivered with impressive results. Elements of horror and adventure come together for an entertaining, heavy, and shocking story about the mad King Minos, the foul minotaur, and Theseus, the hero who can put an end to it all.

Jonathan Edwards 6/14/17 Jonathan Edwards 6/14/17

Review: Helena Crash #4

By Jonathan Edwards

I find it funny that even though this issue literally says "end" on the last page, signifying that this is the last issue in this limited series, some sources do still list this as "4 of 5." That being said, this is indeed the last issue (at least until they go and make and sequel series, that is). The three previous issues were all a fast and fun ride, and this one keeps right in line with that all the way up to an ending that ties everything up quite nicely. Honestly, as easy as it would be for Helena's story to be followed up upon, a part of me hopes they just leave it at the way it ends here.

Comic Bastards 6/14/17 Comic Bastards 6/14/17

Group Review: Dark Days: The Forge #1

By The Comic Bastards

Welcome to another Comic Bastards group review. In case this is your first group review on the site, here’s how it works. Each of the participating writers will give their brief thoughts and score on the book. Everyone’s score and opinion are their own, and there are no averages! Up today is the first issue of DC’s non-event, event book Dark Days: The Forge.

Benjamin Snyder 6/14/17 Benjamin Snyder 6/14/17

Review: Black Cloud #3

By Ben Snyder

Delivering a solid issue, Latour seems content with slowly unspooling a story that is getting noticeably more convoluted. Black Cloud #3 picks up directly after the second issue, with the main character Zelda drowning herself to get to the other world. However, in this instance, we are treated to some of glimpse Zelda’s history in this other world. In issue #3, we find out that Zelda was an elder of the other world and had to flee for reasons explained.

Dustin Cabeal 6/14/17 Dustin Cabeal 6/14/17

Review: Godshaper #3

By Dustin Cabeal

There are quite a few things I enjoy about this issue of Godshaper, but there’s this nagging feeling that the big reveal should have been hinted at better before this issue. We’ve got to know Ennay and Bob pretty well over the last two issues, but like all relationships, there are new things to learn and discover about each other and sure, there’s the occasional bombshell to be dropped.

Daniel Vlasaty 6/14/17 Daniel Vlasaty 6/14/17

Review: Regression #2

By Daniel Vlasaty

Life has not gotten any easier for Adrian. If anything, it’s actually gotten worse. After his past-life regression therapy in issue #1, his nightmares are worse and his life around them is starting to fall apart too. There are more bugs and more visions and the horror is getting more and more real for our main boy. Cullen Bunn and Danny Luckert are building something here and it’s creeping and violent. The second issue of Regression is a strong follow up to what I thought was a great first issue and I am looking forward to continue reading this series.

Dustin Cabeal 6/14/17 Dustin Cabeal 6/14/17

Review: Jimmy’s Bastards #1

By Dustin Cabeal

This is an interesting comic to describe. There’s a hook to the first issue that is basically the selling point of the series. With that, it’s also all right there in the title, “Jimmy’s Bastards.” The title character’s name is Jimmy and using “Bastards” in the traditional sense means a child born out of wedlock. That’s all I’ll give you really about the hook, but it's humorous. It reminded me of another comic that tried something similar but failed miserably at it.

Ben Boruff 6/13/17 Ben Boruff 6/13/17

Review: Josephine

By Ben Boruff

In a time of social media grandstanding and generally hollow conversations about urgent topics, perhaps a silent story is the best way to discuss concepts like racial prejudice. Josephine, a 132-page black-and-white graphic novel, is Kevin Sacco’s semi-autobiographical account of life in Manhattan’s Upper West Side in the 1960s, and it addresses issues like inequality and materialism with a style that is both delicate and direct.

Patrick Wolf 6/13/17 Patrick Wolf 6/13/17

Review: Unholy Grail # 1

By Patrick Wolf

We live in a generation that’s constantly craving new stories. We’ve all heard the tale of Hercules, Macbeth, and Cinderella so many times, we can practically recite them. So, if someone’s going to retell a classic, it better have a fresh spin on it if it’s going to pique our interest. Well, I’m happy to say this is exactly what Cullen Bunn does in his dark reimagining of the legend of King Arthur.

Patrick Wolf 6/12/17 Patrick Wolf 6/12/17

Review: The Six Swords # 1

By Patrick Wolf

I normally have a soft spot for indie comic producers. I respect and admire such people, and so I naturally want to give them a good review. That said, I’m also a critic and I have a duty to provide my audience with an honest report—no matter how much I want the team behind the project to succeed. The Six Swords is, unfortunately, one of those projects that I just can’t get behind. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the worst thing I’ve read, but it definitely needs a lot more polish before I’m prepared to recommend it to the public.

Ashley Gibbs 6/12/17 Ashley Gibbs 6/12/17

Review: Wonder Woman: Steve Trevor #1

By Ashley Gibbs

The world is feeling the Wonder Woman fever as her solo movie takes over the box office, what better time to have new comics that readers can jump into without much need for knowing years of her background. That’s what I was looking for from Wonder Woman: Steve Trevor #1, an action-packed story that would shed more light on Steve Trevor and show why he’s important to Diana. What I ended up with were mixed emotions and sadly a sense that this comic will have no lasting impact on me. While Steve Trevor does get to fight bad guys and save the day all on his own, it’s weighed down by a lot of internal monologuing and dialogue moments that ruined my sense of immersion.

Ashley Gibbs 6/10/17 Ashley Gibbs 6/10/17

Review: Game of Thrones: A Clash of Kings #1

By Ashley Gibbs

Game of Thrones: A Clash of Kings #1 is a comic book adaptation of the second book in George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire, A Clash of Kings. Though there is also a television adaptation, this comic isn’t an adaptation of the HBO television series. While I have yet to read the books by Martin, I have seen the show so I was interested in reading this comic. I was hoping for a simplified version of the large books that focused on the important parts and used artwork to express Martin’s loquacious writing style. I enjoyed reading this issue, while some things came up from the book, there are many moments that I do recall from watching the television show.