Dustin Cabeal 1/31/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/31/18

Review: Infidel #1

By Dustin Cabeal

With a title like Infidel, your comic is going to get a lot of looks. Not necessarily positive ones because I mean do I really have to explain the landscape of society in a review for a comic book? I don’t think so either. At any rate, I recall getting a few comments about this book when I posted the press release, and the concern was how the subject matter was going to be handled.

Dustin Cabeal 1/31/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/31/18

Review: Bonehead #2

By Dustin Cabeal

Bonehead is one of those comics that I’m merely glad it exists. It has some rough edges for sure, but setting and design of the world is intriguing. The plot is still alluding us; sure we have the basic idea of everything, but the presented end goal is far in the future barring the question of where’s this arc going?

Kelly Gaines 1/31/18 Kelly Gaines 1/31/18

Review: Black Crown Quarterly #2

By Kelly Gaines

Does your mom want you to stop conducting interrogations in her kitchen? Have your disco days put you at serious risk for throwing out your back? If so, you’re not as alone as you may think.

Let me start by saying that I have never experienced a comic book quite like The Black Crown Quarterly before. That may say more about my need to branch out than it does about the book, but this issue was a ridiculously fun read with a unique and well-executed format. Imagine a mix of short, well-written articles surrounded by intermittent stories ranging from hilarious comedies to crime noir- all of which have top quality writing. As a comic book reader, it’s easy to pick up on when a writer is just phoning it in to reach a deadline, and when they’re dedicated to delivering high-quality work regardless of the subject matter or page count. As of issue #2, Black Crown is still delivering strong.

Dustin Cabeal 1/31/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/31/18

Review: Gideon Falls #1

By Dustin Cabeal

There are points in some creator’s careers in which they hit a point of almost superstardom in the industry. They can do no wrong with their fan base, and their fan base buys a lot of comics. You can likely think of countless creators like this, some of them are still at that level while others have fallen from grace. I have stopped this practice after years of over-inflating comics that didn’t deserve it because the writer or artist was, “really good.” It’s a dangerous practice, and it’s one that I, unfortunately, see that happening to Jeff Lemire more and more. That’s not to say that he doesn’t make good comics. He actually has a couple out at the moment that are better than good, but that doesn’t mean everything he releases is gold.

Cat Wyatt 1/31/18 Cat Wyatt 1/31/18

Review: Harley Quinn #36

By Cat Wyatt

You may remember from the last issue that our beloved Harley Quinn has been turned into a bat woman (is here a good point to make another vigilante joke?), if you don’t it’s likely that the cover would quickly spark your memory of this. This whole plot still feels a bit on the silly side, but I have to admit I absolutely adore this cover. The bat ears on Harley remind me of Anubis’ ears, which is actually pretty cool.

Dustin Cabeal 1/31/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/31/18

Review: Quantum and Woody! #2

By Dustin Cabeal

Quantum and Woody is just weird. It’s a comedy full of drama that fits perfectly with the rest of the Valiant Universe, but then also feels horribly out of place at the same time. It’s the curse of the comedic superhero book. Recently there’s been a lot more attempts at humor in superhero comics, and most of them have frankly sucked ass. The whole ass. This isn’t a meme, no one’s getting points for eating ass, it just sucks. But, it makes you appreciate comics like Quantum and Woody all the more. Comics that manage to find that balance of humor, drama, and action without feeling like a hollow shell of its former self. That’s all my review should be, but that’s now how I roll, so I’ll just keep going and hope that my sentiments are destroyed by my own words. Oh wait, I said suck and eat ass a lot already, so I’m sure it’s all uphill from here.

Cat Wyatt 1/31/18 Cat Wyatt 1/31/18

Review: The Silencer #1

By Cat Wyatt

The Silencer is a new DC series, based in the Dark Nights Metal universe. Honor Guest (yes, that really is her name) is one of the world’s deadliest assassins, and the description for the series felt the need to point out that this is true, even though we’ve never heard of her. Personally, I feel that the best assassins would be the ones that keep their names from being mentioned all of the time, and thus I’m willing to consider that further proof, rather than a reason to question the validity of the series.

Benjamin Snyder 1/31/18 Benjamin Snyder 1/31/18

Review: Dread Gods #3

By Ben Snyder

Three issues into Dread Gods and it finally seems like the story will fulfill on the promise of the original issue. Throughout almost the entirety of Dread Gods #3, I gave up on the series. Nothing new or exciting happened. The supposed plot revelation felt cliché and the writing was adequate at best. But the ending opened up a whole new element for future issues that I never would have expected.

Writer Ron Marz’s series hasn’t been a groundbreaking piece with biting socio/political commentary. If anything the series has simply served as a way to see ancient Greek Gods adorned like modern-day wrestlers duke it out. And this isn’t a bad thing as that is an awesome premise that would have most readers hooked. It simply becomes an issue because Marz is so intent on forcing it away from entertainment. Marz seems predetermined to draw obvious parallels between the Gods World and Carver’s.

Cat Wyatt 1/31/18 Cat Wyatt 1/31/18

Review: Motherlands #1

By Cat Wyatt

This is the first issue in a new series by Vertigo; it appears it’s only going to be six issues long, so it’s not a huge investment for any of the fans. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty willing to give anything by Vertigo a try (but then again, they published Y: the Last Man, so of course I feel that way). Tabitha (AKA Tab) lives in a world where multiple parallel earths are interconnected to one another. Sounds like pure chaos, right? It pretty much is, and that chaos seems like it would be a bounty hunter’s dream come true. Which makes it pretty fortunate that Tab is a bounty hunter.

Dustin Cabeal 1/31/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/31/18

Review: Mata Hari #1

By Dustin Cabeal

There is absolutely no joy in giving a bad review to the first issue of a new imprint. Frankly, it sucks to do that, but that’s what I’m here to do. At its core, the story here is fascinating. The era and setting are all things that are fairly new to American comics, at least from the vast majority of titles I’ve read. It’s just that Mata Hari actively makes it difficult for the reader to understand what exactly is going on in the story. Reading the first issue feels more like a punishment than something joyous or entertaining.

Cat Wyatt 1/31/18 Cat Wyatt 1/31/18

Review: The Flash Annual #1

By Cat Wyatt

Whenever I see an annual issue, I always assume that the creators are setting up for a major event in a series (or two). The Flash Annual is no exception to this, which just further affirms that belief for me. From the title (Who Remembers Wally West) it’s pretty clear that this is going to be a Wally heavy issue, though likely the other Flash’s will be making their appearances as well (especially since they are setting up for a major event).

Dustin Cabeal 1/30/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/30/18

Comic Bastards Podcast - 028

By Dustin Cabeal

Click to listen!

028 - This week on the show I'm keeping it to just four books, but I did read a few more releases than that. The problem is, I need to hear from you! What are you looking forward to releasing, but want a review for before you pick it up? Let me know in the comments. In the meantime, enjoy two advanced reviews for some upcoming Image Comic releases!

Comic books covered in this episode:

The Silencer #1
Bonehead #2
Gideon Falls #1
Infidel #1

Dustin Cabeal 1/30/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/30/18

Fucking Finally! WB Announces Deep Blue Sea 2... Stronger. Wiser. Deadlier... Deeper!

By Dustin Cabeal

It is rare that a press release gets me to comment on it anymore. Mostly because after seven years of this gig everyone knows I'm going to shit on whatever I talk about. It's all jokes people, sure, some are really mean jokes, but I don't think we have to be positive about every damn thing every created. Do you like every painting and picture you've ever seen? What about that one in the dentist's office? Okay, my point is, I don't have to like everything, but you better believe your ass that part of me is really excited for what I'm sure is a terrible sequel to a terrible movie. That's right, plot twist motherfuckers, I'm excited as fuck for this film!!!

Press Release 1/30/18 Press Release 1/30/18

The Final Arc of the Acclaimed Series by Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook Hits Shops In March

Press Release

In May 2015, readers from across the world accepted an invitation to visit a town called Harrow County. And despite countless haints, witches, monsters, and murderers, we hope you’ve had a pleasant stay.

Press Release 1/30/18 Press Release 1/30/18

Aspen Announces Jirni vol. 3

Press Release

Aspen Comics is excited to announce the return of one of their best-selling titles this spring with the release of Jirni Volume 3 debuting this March 21st, and continuing their 15-Year Anniversary plans to bring back classic Aspen titles all year-long. Fans of the critically acclaimed series created and written by J.T. Krul will also have several other Jirni-related items releasing in March to help catch them up to the upcoming series. Creator J.T. Krul discusses the return:

Press Release 1/30/18 Press Release 1/30/18

Filmmaker Dan Mintz Acquires Valiant Entertainment

Press Release

Filmmaker and DMG Entertainment Founder Dan Mintz announced today that the company has acquired Valiant Entertainment, the third largest universe of superhero characters in entertainment, sitting alongside Warner Bros.’ DC Comics and Disney’s Marvel.

Mintz has held a significant stake in Valiant since 2014. By taking complete ownership of Valiant's library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, Ninjak, Faith and more, Mintz looks to further secure his filmmaker-run studio with a treasure trove of world-class intellectual properties and establish DMG as one of the most valuable and innovative media companies in Hollywood.res

Press Release 1/30/18 Press Release 1/30/18

All-Ages Monster Hunters Return in GHOUL SCOUTS: I WAS A TWEENAGE WEREWOLF!

Press Release

2016 introduced comic fans to the all-ages adventures of Action Lab’s GHOUL SCOUTS. The fan-favorite series pitted the misfit scouts against a zombie outbreak in their hometown of Full Moon Hollow. The kids return in March 2018 as a new menace threatens them in I WAS A TWEENAGE WEREWOLF!!

Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18

Review: Umami #3

By Dustin Cabeal

As I said on my podcast, if Umami had released just one more issue in 2017, it would have likely ended up on my best of list. The inner debate with myself was non-stop about this book a one or two more that were also very close to making the top five. What Umami has going for it above all other comics, is the overwhelming feeling of happiness that it fills you will. That is the main dish that Ken Niimura’s two characters are cooking up, joy and happiness.

Smrithi S 1/29/18 Smrithi S 1/29/18

Review: The Water Dragon's Bride Vol. 1

By Thea Srinivasan

This is going to be really strange to say, but seeing a child growing up within a matter of one volume makes enjoy this manga even more. It’s a really bad thing to say when everything is falling apart for one character, but I think that brings more emotion within the reader themselves. It’s almost like they’re a spectator for the godlike author. But really, what I’ve read in one volume makes me hope for more to come.

Cat Wyatt 1/29/18 Cat Wyatt 1/29/18

Review: Theatrics vol. 1

By Cat Wyatt

If you've taken a look at the description for Theatrics, you’ve probably noticed that it’s pretty vague and short. Don’t let that put you off from the series. Despite the description, Theatrics is a deep and intriguing study of human nature; the good, the evil, the flexibility and ability to recuperate and recover, and everything in between.