Dustin Cabeal 6/28/17 Dustin Cabeal 6/28/17

Review: Blood Brothers: Hermanos de Sangre #1

By Dustin Cabeal

Since starting Comic Bastards, I have read more comics than I will ever remember in my life. Things tend to fall into categories, and I’m not referring to drama, comedy, superhero. Instead, it’s things like, an event happens, and everyone has superpowers. Which is where I would place Blood Brothers. This is by no means a bad thing, and it’s often a genre I enjoy because the only way the story is successful is by having interesting characters. The world is by default interesting, but that doesn’t necessarily ensure there’s a story to read.

Benjamin Snyder 6/28/17 Benjamin Snyder 6/28/17

Review: Secret Weapons #1

By:0Ben Snyder

Secret Weapons #1 does a good enough job of setting up an interesting premise of a bunch of teenaged reject super heroes escaping a hulking brute programmed to kill them.

Dustin Cabeal 6/28/17 Dustin Cabeal 6/28/17

Review: Kull Eternal #1

By Dustin Cabeal

I don’t know anything about Kull. It’s a name that seems familiar, but other than that; I have no idea. That doesn’t matter though because this is the first issue. I’m pointing this all out early because often when a property is rebooted old fans like to make excuses saying that new readers “didn’t get it” and so on. Simply put a first issues job is to make sure everyone gets it, so let’s see how Kull Eternal stacks up?

Patrick Wolf 6/28/17 Patrick Wolf 6/28/17

Review: Girrion #1-6

By Patrick Wolf

Not too long ago, a friend of mine introduced me to the popular webcomic series: Unsounded. What immediately struck me about the franchise was not just its gorgeous art, but also the incredible realization that it was illustrated, colored, lettered, and written by the same person. It was like watching a sailor be a captain, first-mate, oarsman, and engineer all at the same time. How could someone be so talented? Unfortunately, when I read the book, this question was answered all-too-quickly: nobody’s that talented. I believe Girrion suffers from a similar fate.

Daniel Vlasaty 6/28/17 Daniel Vlasaty 6/28/17

Review: The Dregs #4

By Daniel Vlasaty

I have a love/hate relationship with miniseries. I love them because they’re easily digestible, four or five or six issues of story. Nothing too huge or time consuming. There’s no twenty or fifty or, shit, one hundred plus issue commitment. And I hate them because when they’re good I don’t want them to end. When they’re good I want them to keep going, with more and more issues. But only if they keep that fire burning. Anyway whatever. Issue #4 is the final issue of The Dregs. And if you’ve been reading my reviews then you’ll know how I feel about this book. And if you haven’t, I’ll tell you. I fucking love it. The Dregs is easily the best series I’ve read this year, at least. Every issue has been great in both story and art. And issue #4 is no different. I thought this was the perfect ending to a pretty goddamn close to perfect book.

Patrick Wolf 6/28/17 Patrick Wolf 6/28/17

Review: X-O Manowar #4

By Patrick Wolf

X-O Manowar is a very difficult comic to review. The problem is there’s almost nothing wrong with it. Every time I read the latest installment, I just want to say: “It’s awesome. Read it. Leave me alone.” This time, though, the story isn’t perfect, so I’ll have a little more to say.

Wes Jones 6/26/17 Wes Jones 6/26/17

Review: Children of Saigo #1-3

By Wes Jones

Home is where the heart is… and the samurai swords. Mini-series Children of Saigo from publisher AAM-Markosia follows the remaining members of the Iwanaga clan, a family of modern samurai living in Chicago. Ben, Shiro, Zoe and Teron are the young adult children of police officer, Mike Iwanaga. The family are descendants of Koji Iwanaga, sole survivor of the Battle of Shiroyama. Koji was tasked by actual historical figure Saigō Takamori with the mission of retreating and ensuring the samurai way of life and Bushido code survive. The Iwanaga’s background comes at a price, however. Due to their unique pedigree, a yakuza boss’ daughter wants their heads as trophies. The cover and synopsis may lead you to believe this to be a testosterone-fueled, katana and handgun murder fest, and some of it is. It becomes clear in the first issue however, that family and tradition, not bloody revenge, are by far the most prevalent themes.

Patrick Wolf 6/23/17 Patrick Wolf 6/23/17

Review: Curse of the Vessel #1 & 2

By Patrick Wolf

Curse of the Vessel is a solid paranormal thriller that offers an interesting premise coupled with a set of exciting revenge stories. While the series suffers from some recycled plotlines and absent characterization, it’s still entertaining enough to warrant a read So, if you’re looking for a gritty noir blended with some cool spirit-revenge, look no further: Curse of the Vessel was made for you.

Ashley Gibbs 6/21/17 Ashley Gibbs 6/21/17

Review: Destroyer #2

By Ashley Gibbs

Destroyer #2 picks up with Frankenstein's monster still continuing his journey to man’s world after his solitude in the arctic was disturbed. However, most of the issue is spent with two government agents as they try to find an important scientist whom the government needs to stop the monster. This issue has good pacing and artwork though there isn’t much in the way of deep story telling being told as it’s more about moving the pieces into the right places. While less intense than the first issue, if you’re into this series then you’ll enjoy reading this one.

Ashley Gibbs 6/21/17 Ashley Gibbs 6/21/17

Review: Injustice 2 #4

By Ashley Gibbs

While Superman was detained in the previous issue, the prison break did succeed in its mission to release Damian Wayne. In Injustice 2 #4 we find out why and if his mother’s appearance in the previous issue was a tip-off, then you know what to expect. While this book isn’t filled with as much action we do get some good story that moves the plot forward for Harley and her situation. We also get some tender memories from Batman though not too much in the way of moving the plot forward with him, but I enjoyed the story told nonetheless. This was a pretty good read that really helps flesh out the characters involved.

Ashley Gibbs 6/21/17 Ashley Gibbs 6/21/17

Review: Injustice 2 #3

By Ashley Gibbs

The prison where Superman and other members of the Regime are being held is under attack by the Suicide Squad led by the false Batman in Injustice 2 #3 but the real Batman has prepared for everything -or has he? This issue is filled with a lot of action during this full on prison break but also some nice reunions. While this issue isn’t filled with a whole lot of character development, it helps move the story forward as the chess pieces begin to fall into position. While the Regime was once the biggest threat this earth had to face, new powers are coming into place from the rubble of the broken world.

Daniel Vlasaty 6/21/17 Daniel Vlasaty 6/21/17

Review: Grrl Scouts: Magic Socks #2

By Daniel Vlasaty

Issue one of Grrl Scouts: Magic Socks had a frenetic energy like nothing else I’ve read in a long time. I thought it was a really great and nice and special book. And now Jim Mahfood and his badass Grrl Scouts are back for issue #2 of this revenge/drug-fueled/psychedelic nightmare of a book. I am pretty sure in my entire life I’ve never sincerely called anything a tour de force, and don’t get me wring I’m still not going to because I think that’s a lazy, stupid, clichéd thing to say. But I think if I ever were to call a book a tour de force, it would be this book. Anyway, Grrl Scouts: Magic Socks is a crazy and insane and awesome book, and here’s my review for the new issue.

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

Review: The Wild Storm #5

By Dustin Cabeal

The Wild Storm always feels as if it’s going to a commercial break when the issue ends. I sit there just expecting more, realizing eventually that another month will need to pass in order for that to happen. Granted this all happens in seconds while I’m reading, but it still happens. I have the strong feeling that when The Wild Storm is collected, it’s going to be a tremendous continuous read, one that I will look forward to digesting again.

Jonathan Edwards 6/21/17 Jonathan Edwards 6/21/17

Review: Royal City #4

By Jonathan Edwards

I've been championing this book since pretty much the get go, and as far as I'm concerned, it's been doing a pretty good job of consistently living up to that hype. However, with the next issue marking the end of Royal City's introductory story arc, it seems that Lemire has slowed down his momentum a touch for this fourth installment. Mind you, it's by no means a bad issue. The priority is just different. Rather than following in the footsteps of the last couple issues by introducing new plot threads, we see those that already exist start to get pulled together. Although, Lemire still leaves us with the lingering question of who exactly is the young woman that Patrick keeps running into? And perhaps more importantly, how does she fit into what all's going on with Tommy and Royal City?

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

Review: Archie #21

By Dustin Cabeal

First and foremost, I’m not going to tell you who is the person injured in the drag race that happened in the last issue of Archie. Frankly, when I read the solicit I knew who it would be and I wasn’t wrong. It’s obvious given the trio involved, and only one of those characters would actually “change everything” as they’re billing the next issue.

Benjamin Snyder 6/21/17 Benjamin Snyder 6/21/17

Review: I Hate Fairyland #13

By: Ben Snyder

Writer Skottie Young delivers many laughs and some disturbing imagery in I Hate Fairyland #13, in what is other an otherwise unremarkable issue.

I Hate Fairyland continues to be one of the more frustrating books out there. What started out as clever spin on the typical tale of a young girl having to find her way out of a happy-go-lucky Candy land, has become drawn out and entirely inconsistent. Following last month’s twisted issue of mushroom samurai and irony is an issue, which focuses entirely on Larry, the fly guide of Gertrude.

Benjamin Snyder 6/21/17 Benjamin Snyder 6/21/17

Review: Crosswinds #1

By Ben Snyder

In a novel twist on a “Freaky Friday”/ Trading places swap, Crosswinds #1 sets up an interesting premise in which a mysterious and reluctant gangster and a trapped miserable and harassed housewife mystically trade places.

Writer Gail Simone is one of the more accomplished comic book writers out there with successful runs on Batgirl, Wonder Woman, and her brilliant horror series Clean Room. Crosswinds #1 is unique among these titles, as this book tends to be the most realistic. Besides the magical twist at the end, most of the drama is human in nature.

Daniel Vlasaty 6/21/17 Daniel Vlasaty 6/21/17

Review: Batman #25

By Daniel Vlasaty

Batman’s back and he’s fighting in a new “war.” This poor guy, he just can’t catch a break. He just goes from one villain to the next. One war to the next. And when he runs out of villains to go through, the cycle just starts itself over again. This time around it’s the War of Jokes and Riddles. So obviously the two villains he’s going to go face-to-face with are the Riddler and the Joker. I know a lot of people hate the Joker as a character, and I’m wondering if that’s just because he’s getting kind of played out. If that’s the case, I can understand. Because I can see that. Personally, I’ve always liked the Joker. But I can see how he’s getting overused in storyline after storyline after storyline. There is an interesting (kind of) twist to his character here so I am going to hold off judgement on how his part in this “war” is going to play-out. I used to review every issue of Batman for this site. And I’ve always read Batman. Sometimes it’s bad and sometimes it’s good. Although after issue #18 I stopped reviewing it because I was basically just writing the same review over and over again every month. But I didn’t stop reading it. And now we’re back with issue #25 and here’s a review of it.

Shawn Warner 6/21/17 Shawn Warner 6/21/17

Review: Cave Carson has a Cybernetic Eye #9

By Shawn Warner

Cave Carson has a Cybernetic Eye is possibly the best comic book on the racks today, the only problem is that it is most likely one of the most consistently overlooked offerings from DC. Now to be fair it is part of their Young Animal group of more eclectic books, however unlike the Vertigo titles that came before them and dominated the 90’s pre-hipster comic book era with such series as the legendary Sandman by Neil Gaimen, The Preacher by Garth Ennis and countless mind-blowing mini-series by the great Grant Morrison, Young Animal and its leader the uber-cool Gerard Way seem to be stumbling in the dark to find its target audience. In fact, the flagship title, Doom Patrol also penned by Way has just recently been all but officially cancelled. Things seem bleak indeed for Way and his Young Animal cohorts, but that’s the ironic thing here, these books are darn good reads, all of them. However, we are here to speak of Cave Carson so, shall we begin?

Jonathan Edwards 6/21/17 Jonathan Edwards 6/21/17

Review: Plastic #3

By Jonathan Edwards

Ever since initially glimpsing the preview pages at the end of the last issue, I've been both excited for as well as a little apprehensive about this one. Why? Because, I knew going in that the first scene (or at the very least, one of the first scenes) would involve sexual assault. It's a very serious subject matter that can very easily be mishandled and used exploitatively, even when the creator doesn't intend it, simply by way of not being familiar enough with how to responsibly look at and talk about it. Now with that being said, how does Plastic #3 handle it? Well, first let me note that I am by no means an expert on this, so everything I'm saying should be taken with a grain of salt. Anyway, while I'm honestly not convinced that its inclusion was entirely necessary to tell this story, I do see why Wagner did it. Furthermore, I personally found something quite powerful about how Edwyn reacts to and talks about it throughout the issue. To me, it's the final proof that this book is earnestly exploring themes of love, good, and evil through a lens that is so commonly associated with the perversion of, or in some cases the outright disagreement with, those same themes. What we're ultimately left with is a story that's romantic in the same way that Palahniuk is romantic. And, I love it.