John Flood #1
Boom Studios 2015
Created & Written by: Justin Jordan
Illustrated by: Jorge Coelho
Coloured by: Tamra Bonvillain
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Review: Uhm.. Okay, wow, I am extremely intrigued it’s an interesting premise and John himself is quite the unexpected character and the whole is just off and oddball enough to grab your attention without it feeling like its too absurd to believe. There’s a fine line between enough and going too far and Justin is definitely skirting it here but in such an entertaining way kudos to him because this really is fun and has much more depth to it than you think it does even after reading the first issue.
Jorge and Tamra have their work cut out for them here and they bring it. Seeing the world through John’s unique vision is something we’ll never get used to so hopefully we won’t get a whole issue devoted to that or I’ll need dramamine. His eyes are incredible and the story behind them is one I can’t wait to have explored. The introduction of Berry and Lyta have a more traditional and classic look to them which is strong and make them very attractive. Berry is such a handsome and haunted man and they make him this blonde classic leading man.
When Lyta brings Berry to meet John I like that he’s depicted as himself visually so that the difference in how they seem comes across extremely well. Plus the dialogue here is frakkin' wonderful. John’s condition has made him seem to be crazy and unable to contain one strain of thought without veering off into different tangents but then somehow you’re still able to understand all that’s happening with him and what he’s trying to convey. I’m almost sad that Lyta isn’t going to be around as much and that is why Berry is needed by John but hopefully this will become something of a trio in business together and not just a duo.
Yeah what John does don’t even try to understand or work to figure it out it’s not worth the time just go with it. This is the best instance of roll with it that I have EVER seen. How he lives in his house, how he has money for what he does, I have no clue but I do know that the answers will trickle out as he rambles on and on.
Something about what John is currently working on has to do with the other thing we see in this issue. Now this to me is classic horror movie stuff with a man in the woods with a hatchet killing people at night in the dark. Yeah it’s creepy, it’s fun, and the man’s narration along with it? Well it adds an element to this that’s also very unexpected, thrilling, and honestly isn’t something you wanna read at night before bed. That it’s this well portrayed in the writing and the interior artwork makes me an incredibly happy camper.
Horror, mystery, & comedy all rolled into one could add a little intrigue as well since things are clearly spelled out what’s happening make this really more genre defying and definitely something that when you finish reading you immediately go back and read again. This could be the year's IT book.
Boom Studios 2015
Created & Written by: Justin Jordan
Illustrated by: Jorge Coelho
Coloured by: Tamra Bonvillain
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Review: Uhm.. Okay, wow, I am extremely intrigued it’s an interesting premise and John himself is quite the unexpected character and the whole is just off and oddball enough to grab your attention without it feeling like its too absurd to believe. There’s a fine line between enough and going too far and Justin is definitely skirting it here but in such an entertaining way kudos to him because this really is fun and has much more depth to it than you think it does even after reading the first issue.
Jorge and Tamra have their work cut out for them here and they bring it. Seeing the world through John’s unique vision is something we’ll never get used to so hopefully we won’t get a whole issue devoted to that or I’ll need dramamine. His eyes are incredible and the story behind them is one I can’t wait to have explored. The introduction of Berry and Lyta have a more traditional and classic look to them which is strong and make them very attractive. Berry is such a handsome and haunted man and they make him this blonde classic leading man.
When Lyta brings Berry to meet John I like that he’s depicted as himself visually so that the difference in how they seem comes across extremely well. Plus the dialogue here is frakkin' wonderful. John’s condition has made him seem to be crazy and unable to contain one strain of thought without veering off into different tangents but then somehow you’re still able to understand all that’s happening with him and what he’s trying to convey. I’m almost sad that Lyta isn’t going to be around as much and that is why Berry is needed by John but hopefully this will become something of a trio in business together and not just a duo.
Yeah what John does don’t even try to understand or work to figure it out it’s not worth the time just go with it. This is the best instance of roll with it that I have EVER seen. How he lives in his house, how he has money for what he does, I have no clue but I do know that the answers will trickle out as he rambles on and on.
Something about what John is currently working on has to do with the other thing we see in this issue. Now this to me is classic horror movie stuff with a man in the woods with a hatchet killing people at night in the dark. Yeah it’s creepy, it’s fun, and the man’s narration along with it? Well it adds an element to this that’s also very unexpected, thrilling, and honestly isn’t something you wanna read at night before bed. That it’s this well portrayed in the writing and the interior artwork makes me an incredibly happy camper.
Horror, mystery, & comedy all rolled into one could add a little intrigue as well since things are clearly spelled out what’s happening make this really more genre defying and definitely something that when you finish reading you immediately go back and read again. This could be the year's IT book.
Grimm Fairy Tales #112
Zenescope Entertainment
Writer: Pat Shand
Artist: Luca Claretti
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Coming off of the events from last issue, the Mad Hatter brings true devastation to Arcane Acres through the psyche of one tormented Violet. The Convergence has been released, and the Horde can sense from thousands of miles away. This is what the kids have been training for.
[SPOILERS!!]
Review: Wow. I... I wasn't expecting any of that. Pat Shand, my hat's off to you for really throwing me for a loop this issue. After last time, I was expecting things to get heavy, but I wasn't expecting a near-slaughter.
This issue brings most of the story threads Shand and Co. have been building since issue #101 to a climax as the truth behind the Convergence and the Prophecy is revealed. All the while, Violet has been manipulated by the Mad Hatter to bring about the end of Arcane Acres, and Malec's horde descends upon our heroes while their at their most vulnerable. Anyways you look at it, there's no way they can win.
And if it isn't for the mercy handed to them at the end of the issue, they wouldn't have. This is something I appreciated when reading this issue. The story obviously has to keep moving forward, and I'm curious to find out later on WHY they were granted mercy exactly, but Shand doesn't play down the fact that our heroes are greatly outnumbered and nothing they can do physically will stop evil from winning this day.
But Malce isn't the one to tear them apart, as the greatest of lies is revealed, and an even more powerful evil “returns” to the Earth to bring devastation to the realms. I'm not sure who this new evil is, as we're not given a name, but I like his design and I like that there is now an a more confrontational reason for these kid', who up to this point have kind of been blowing off this whole Realm Knights thing as not that big of a deal, to finally get in gear and learn their crafts so that they can bring him down.
The low points of this chapter were that I felt there were more questions at the end of this issue than there were answers, but that's okay as there's still much more to come and more answers to discover. And of course, there is the mercy bit at the end, where the new bad guy gives the age old “I need them alive to win,” motive to let them stay alive. Personally, I've never understood that in any story, as wouldn't killing them while they're vulnerable just make everything easier?
Either way, I'm sure the answer will be worth it, so we'll just have to wait and see for now.
Claretti's artwork is as solid as usual, and I'm still really enjoying their style. The action is just as fluid as it was in previous issues, and they have a way of making heavy moments really stick in your head.
I really enjoyed this issue, one of the strongest I've read yet. It was unexpected, violent, emotional and fun. I'm really excited for what's all coming next.
Final Score: 4.5 Evolving Big Bads out of 5
Zenescope Entertainment
Writer: Pat Shand
Artist: Luca Claretti
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: Coming off of the events from last issue, the Mad Hatter brings true devastation to Arcane Acres through the psyche of one tormented Violet. The Convergence has been released, and the Horde can sense from thousands of miles away. This is what the kids have been training for.
[SPOILERS!!]
Review: Wow. I... I wasn't expecting any of that. Pat Shand, my hat's off to you for really throwing me for a loop this issue. After last time, I was expecting things to get heavy, but I wasn't expecting a near-slaughter.
This issue brings most of the story threads Shand and Co. have been building since issue #101 to a climax as the truth behind the Convergence and the Prophecy is revealed. All the while, Violet has been manipulated by the Mad Hatter to bring about the end of Arcane Acres, and Malec's horde descends upon our heroes while their at their most vulnerable. Anyways you look at it, there's no way they can win.
And if it isn't for the mercy handed to them at the end of the issue, they wouldn't have. This is something I appreciated when reading this issue. The story obviously has to keep moving forward, and I'm curious to find out later on WHY they were granted mercy exactly, but Shand doesn't play down the fact that our heroes are greatly outnumbered and nothing they can do physically will stop evil from winning this day.
But Malce isn't the one to tear them apart, as the greatest of lies is revealed, and an even more powerful evil “returns” to the Earth to bring devastation to the realms. I'm not sure who this new evil is, as we're not given a name, but I like his design and I like that there is now an a more confrontational reason for these kid', who up to this point have kind of been blowing off this whole Realm Knights thing as not that big of a deal, to finally get in gear and learn their crafts so that they can bring him down.
The low points of this chapter were that I felt there were more questions at the end of this issue than there were answers, but that's okay as there's still much more to come and more answers to discover. And of course, there is the mercy bit at the end, where the new bad guy gives the age old “I need them alive to win,” motive to let them stay alive. Personally, I've never understood that in any story, as wouldn't killing them while they're vulnerable just make everything easier?
Either way, I'm sure the answer will be worth it, so we'll just have to wait and see for now.
Claretti's artwork is as solid as usual, and I'm still really enjoying their style. The action is just as fluid as it was in previous issues, and they have a way of making heavy moments really stick in your head.
I really enjoyed this issue, one of the strongest I've read yet. It was unexpected, violent, emotional and fun. I'm really excited for what's all coming next.
Final Score: 4.5 Evolving Big Bads out of 5
Malevolents: Click Click
Thom Burgess 2014
Creator and Writer: Thom Burgess
Artist: Joe Becci
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: So you like a ghost story...
What of the true life tales spoken in hushed tones. tales of evil, malevolent characters hiding in walls, and the darkest shadows. People who should be dead but instead come back to torment the living. Always demanding your attention
The Malevolents
Four school friends, dared to spend the night in London's most haunted house. recounting the story of the last boy who dared to do so...and the price it cost him.
Review: Well I can tell ya one thing right now, at 32 pages this is a good and creepy book that serves as a cautionary tale in why messing about with an Ouija board is just a very, very bad thing to do. Cause you never know what you might pull out from the otherside. This would also serve pretty nicely as an episode for Tales From The Crypt too in my view. The black and white pages in this title also help sell the creepy vibe too. Especially when it comes to Mr. Click Click as that dude himself one scary son of a gun that even a mom couldn't love. And Joe Becci's art sells the creepyness very well I might add. I am liking how Thom has the events of the past being told to us through a view point of someone else as she relates the story to her friends. A definite classic move for Horror films too, granted considering my limited exposure to the genre I could be wrong.
Another lesson to be learned here is that taking dares related to scary old houses is just not a good idea. Something ol' Billy Blore unfortunately learned the hard way. This story also serves as why you and your friends shouldn't be in said house and telling stories that ol' Billy was in when bad things went down. And despite all of what Billy tried to do as we readers have seen, he couldn't really stop the inevitable. But he put up a damn good fight for as long as he could however! I honestly think this would make for a perfect new episode of Tales From The Crypt as it would be neat to see how well this would be brought to life on television. And I think with Thom involved, it would be pretty faithful too!
You can also honestly tell that Thom is of the British persuasion cause the dialogue pretty much screams it, and that's not a bad thing at all cause it makes it that much more interesting then it likely would be if it were American. I wonder though if Billy had explained things to his parents that they might have left the salt alone? Then again perhaps they wouldn't have even believed him, which would have been highly unfortunate. I'm also liking the lack of speech bubbles in this comic, as its not often something you see in comics. Personally, the final pages of this book is damn creepy in my view and I have to mention again that Joe Becci's work here just really comes to life.
So… Can you hear the clicking yet?
Editor's Note: If you're ready to take on the creepy vibe of this here title, head right here to get it!
Thom Burgess 2014
Creator and Writer: Thom Burgess
Artist: Joe Becci
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: So you like a ghost story...
What of the true life tales spoken in hushed tones. tales of evil, malevolent characters hiding in walls, and the darkest shadows. People who should be dead but instead come back to torment the living. Always demanding your attention
The Malevolents
Four school friends, dared to spend the night in London's most haunted house. recounting the story of the last boy who dared to do so...and the price it cost him.
Review: Well I can tell ya one thing right now, at 32 pages this is a good and creepy book that serves as a cautionary tale in why messing about with an Ouija board is just a very, very bad thing to do. Cause you never know what you might pull out from the otherside. This would also serve pretty nicely as an episode for Tales From The Crypt too in my view. The black and white pages in this title also help sell the creepy vibe too. Especially when it comes to Mr. Click Click as that dude himself one scary son of a gun that even a mom couldn't love. And Joe Becci's art sells the creepyness very well I might add. I am liking how Thom has the events of the past being told to us through a view point of someone else as she relates the story to her friends. A definite classic move for Horror films too, granted considering my limited exposure to the genre I could be wrong.
Another lesson to be learned here is that taking dares related to scary old houses is just not a good idea. Something ol' Billy Blore unfortunately learned the hard way. This story also serves as why you and your friends shouldn't be in said house and telling stories that ol' Billy was in when bad things went down. And despite all of what Billy tried to do as we readers have seen, he couldn't really stop the inevitable. But he put up a damn good fight for as long as he could however! I honestly think this would make for a perfect new episode of Tales From The Crypt as it would be neat to see how well this would be brought to life on television. And I think with Thom involved, it would be pretty faithful too!
You can also honestly tell that Thom is of the British persuasion cause the dialogue pretty much screams it, and that's not a bad thing at all cause it makes it that much more interesting then it likely would be if it were American. I wonder though if Billy had explained things to his parents that they might have left the salt alone? Then again perhaps they wouldn't have even believed him, which would have been highly unfortunate. I'm also liking the lack of speech bubbles in this comic, as its not often something you see in comics. Personally, the final pages of this book is damn creepy in my view and I have to mention again that Joe Becci's work here just really comes to life.
So… Can you hear the clicking yet?
Editor's Note: If you're ready to take on the creepy vibe of this here title, head right here to get it!
Mythic #3
Image Comics 2015
Written by: Phil Hester
Illustrated by: John McCrea
Coloured by: Michael Spicer
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Summary: Science is an illusion, a balm for humanity's bone-deep ignorance. It adequately describes our observable world in a manner which brings us comfort: An opiate for the masses. But magic makes the world go 'round. Mythic Lorre Services is a global organization dedicated to keeping the hidden gears of our world turning, and keeping the veil drawn tight between what we think we know, and what we should never learn.
After succeeding in ending a drought in the southwestern United States, Mythic Lore Services Field Team 8 receives news that every other field team in the organization has gone missing.
Review: Phil hasn’t wasted any time getting this series underway and honestly I like that, it’s nice to see that we aren’t going to spend a lot of time with a set-up to what’s going to happen as instead we’re pretty much in it now. Of course there’s room for growth and change and evolution so this is how you expertly craft a story.
Now I do wish we’d gotten more background about the giant baby and the lizard when the team was investigating Australia and what happened to the team there. Still there is something remarkable about seeing a kid in a diaper wrestling a lizard or what looks like a monitor lizard. Oh yeah and the kid has a foul mouth so be warned but I guess if you are a giant baby running around in a diaper you can do whatever you want. So what the team learns here is a nice bit of work actually and we soon learn that these global attacks are well organized.
I look forward to learning more about the organization, or person in charge thereof, that has been able to do such a well coordinated attack. I mean who has the wherewithal to create an army of fake butterflies to use as a distraction to wake up the lizards? Though only one is there and as for what happened to his brother I’m unsure of.
So the whole thing in Switzerland was fantastic. Not only do we get some great characterization from these two but it’s a unique experience and one that well, kind of leads to a reveal of sorts that’s to be somewhat expected. Well what with everything else thats happened recently around the world. Speaking of characterization in Ireland we get some more that’s rather unexpected. So old is “Gramps” I mean really so old that the family he started once upon a time have now ten thousand years of kids and grandkids.
Love the vision of Venus here too I mean that took me by surprise but it’s hella fabulous! Plus she’s sassy and i’d love to see her actually do what she threatened to knock a dude up I mean what else is a fertility idol for? Why isn’t there an openly gay person on this team or am I missing him this issue?
Okay the end of the issue with massive worm and the cute woodland type Dwarves yeah I don’t want them to die even if the blurb says they will. This series is out there enough that it’s instantly intriguing, the characterization keeps the characters fresh and interesting and the artwork well that keeps your eyes glued to the page. John’s imagination that’s on display here is amazing, from the individual characters to the gods and idols we see around the world to the dwarves and the worm yeah this takes a lot of wonderful imagination and skill to bring to life like he does.
There’s a reason Image is home to so many incredible books, they’ve really become the go to place for me to find those stories that push your mind and imagination to a new place you never knew you wanted to go!
Image Comics 2015
Written by: Phil Hester
Illustrated by: John McCrea
Coloured by: Michael Spicer
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Summary: Science is an illusion, a balm for humanity's bone-deep ignorance. It adequately describes our observable world in a manner which brings us comfort: An opiate for the masses. But magic makes the world go 'round. Mythic Lorre Services is a global organization dedicated to keeping the hidden gears of our world turning, and keeping the veil drawn tight between what we think we know, and what we should never learn.
After succeeding in ending a drought in the southwestern United States, Mythic Lore Services Field Team 8 receives news that every other field team in the organization has gone missing.
Review: Phil hasn’t wasted any time getting this series underway and honestly I like that, it’s nice to see that we aren’t going to spend a lot of time with a set-up to what’s going to happen as instead we’re pretty much in it now. Of course there’s room for growth and change and evolution so this is how you expertly craft a story.
Now I do wish we’d gotten more background about the giant baby and the lizard when the team was investigating Australia and what happened to the team there. Still there is something remarkable about seeing a kid in a diaper wrestling a lizard or what looks like a monitor lizard. Oh yeah and the kid has a foul mouth so be warned but I guess if you are a giant baby running around in a diaper you can do whatever you want. So what the team learns here is a nice bit of work actually and we soon learn that these global attacks are well organized.
I look forward to learning more about the organization, or person in charge thereof, that has been able to do such a well coordinated attack. I mean who has the wherewithal to create an army of fake butterflies to use as a distraction to wake up the lizards? Though only one is there and as for what happened to his brother I’m unsure of.
So the whole thing in Switzerland was fantastic. Not only do we get some great characterization from these two but it’s a unique experience and one that well, kind of leads to a reveal of sorts that’s to be somewhat expected. Well what with everything else thats happened recently around the world. Speaking of characterization in Ireland we get some more that’s rather unexpected. So old is “Gramps” I mean really so old that the family he started once upon a time have now ten thousand years of kids and grandkids.
Love the vision of Venus here too I mean that took me by surprise but it’s hella fabulous! Plus she’s sassy and i’d love to see her actually do what she threatened to knock a dude up I mean what else is a fertility idol for? Why isn’t there an openly gay person on this team or am I missing him this issue?
Okay the end of the issue with massive worm and the cute woodland type Dwarves yeah I don’t want them to die even if the blurb says they will. This series is out there enough that it’s instantly intriguing, the characterization keeps the characters fresh and interesting and the artwork well that keeps your eyes glued to the page. John’s imagination that’s on display here is amazing, from the individual characters to the gods and idols we see around the world to the dwarves and the worm yeah this takes a lot of wonderful imagination and skill to bring to life like he does.
There’s a reason Image is home to so many incredible books, they’ve really become the go to place for me to find those stories that push your mind and imagination to a new place you never knew you wanted to go!
John Carter: Warlord of Mars #8
Dynamite
Written by: Ron Marz and Ian Edginton
Pencils by: Ariel Medel
Colored by: Nanjan Jamberi
Letered by: Rob Steen
Based on the work of: Edgar Rice Burroughs
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: John Carter and Dejah Thoris visit a remote Martian city, where residents are being terrorized by a monstrous, murderous presence. Will the Warlord and Princess of Mars be able to solve the mystery, or will they be blamed for the brutal crimes? More masterful Martian adventures from writer Ron Marz and Eisner-nominated co-writer Ian Edginton, authorized by the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate!
Review: Until now, I have never read anything related to John Carter and Dejah Thoris, I don't think I even knew about these characters until the movie was announced. Something I still need to see from the beginning as well. So with all that in mind, I decided to check out this 8th issue anyway just to see how it was, and turns out, I liked it and felt to me like a jumping on point. Of course I could be wrong on that, but oh well. We open up this issue to a bunch of folks looking rather spooked, and justifiably so if I might add. But Hell yeah on the mom there for being willing to kick some ass! Whatever the spookster is though, pleasantries are definitely not a thing it knows.
I like though that Marz and Edginton aren't all about the doom and gloom in this issue. As even though I haven't been following this story, its nice to see Carter and Dejah having a mild form of downtime and just generally enjoying one another's presence while on what is likely a wild goose chase. And while the need to find a miracle for your planet is important, you should still take the time for yourself so that things can unwind so that conflicts of any kind aren't all you know. Naturally what our loving couple is looking for is also the current troubles for the folks out in the area the two are in currently. Gotta love good timing! Or bad timing as the case may be.
Ariel and Nanjan on the art and colors bring everything to life pretty well too, especially our resident spookster who looks like he fell off a certain evolutionary line. Kudos to those who get what I'm talking about there. But this fella has got some really wrong ideas about Dejah, ideas Carter is definitely not going to take too all that well! Over all, this was a nice starting point for me and I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes next.
Dynamite
Written by: Ron Marz and Ian Edginton
Pencils by: Ariel Medel
Colored by: Nanjan Jamberi
Letered by: Rob Steen
Based on the work of: Edgar Rice Burroughs
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: John Carter and Dejah Thoris visit a remote Martian city, where residents are being terrorized by a monstrous, murderous presence. Will the Warlord and Princess of Mars be able to solve the mystery, or will they be blamed for the brutal crimes? More masterful Martian adventures from writer Ron Marz and Eisner-nominated co-writer Ian Edginton, authorized by the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate!
Review: Until now, I have never read anything related to John Carter and Dejah Thoris, I don't think I even knew about these characters until the movie was announced. Something I still need to see from the beginning as well. So with all that in mind, I decided to check out this 8th issue anyway just to see how it was, and turns out, I liked it and felt to me like a jumping on point. Of course I could be wrong on that, but oh well. We open up this issue to a bunch of folks looking rather spooked, and justifiably so if I might add. But Hell yeah on the mom there for being willing to kick some ass! Whatever the spookster is though, pleasantries are definitely not a thing it knows.
I like though that Marz and Edginton aren't all about the doom and gloom in this issue. As even though I haven't been following this story, its nice to see Carter and Dejah having a mild form of downtime and just generally enjoying one another's presence while on what is likely a wild goose chase. And while the need to find a miracle for your planet is important, you should still take the time for yourself so that things can unwind so that conflicts of any kind aren't all you know. Naturally what our loving couple is looking for is also the current troubles for the folks out in the area the two are in currently. Gotta love good timing! Or bad timing as the case may be.
Ariel and Nanjan on the art and colors bring everything to life pretty well too, especially our resident spookster who looks like he fell off a certain evolutionary line. Kudos to those who get what I'm talking about there. But this fella has got some really wrong ideas about Dejah, ideas Carter is definitely not going to take too all that well! Over all, this was a nice starting point for me and I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes next.