Category: Comics

Z-View – Black Beetle: “No Way Out” #1 by Francavilla

Posted on by

The Black Beetle: No Way Out #1 in a four issue mini-series from Dark Horse Comics.

Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla

Black Beetle’s investigation of two local mob bosses is interrupted when a mysterious explosion murders them and a pub full of gangsters—taking out most of Colt City’s organized crime in one fell swoop. Who could pull off such a coup, and what danger might that murderous bomber do to Colt City and Black Beetle?

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below *** The Good

  • Francavilla has set up the Black Beetle to look and feel like an old pulp magazine or movie serial.
  • Love the cover by Francavilla.
  • Followed by an equally awesome full page splash.
  • “Wish me luck.  Not that I need it.”
  • Bonus “title cards” after the story created by Francesco Francavilla.
  • “Are you from space, Mister?”
  • “Are right, Rick.  I don’t have time for this. So…”
  • The cliffhanger last page.
  • “Okay.  You’re good.  I’ll give you that.  But this is not over.”
  • Bonus teaser images by Francavilla and a Black Beetle pinup by Mike Norton.

The Bad:

  • “K-BAOOOOOOOMMM!!”
  • “All I can think about is WHO got to them BEFORE I did… While I should really be worrying about… freefalling from an EIGHTEEN STORY BUILDING.”

The Ugly:

  • “Thudd!”
  • “Constantino.”  “Huh?  “FWWWP  FWWWP”

Black Beetle: No Way Out #1

Rating: 5 out of 5

Z-View – The Black Beetle: “Night Shift” #0 Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla

Posted on by

The Black Beetle: Night Shift #0 is a collection of three Black Beetle episodes that originally appeared in Dark Horse Presents #11–#13 and will lead into the Black Beetle: Night Shift four issue mini-series from Dark Horse Comics.

Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla

When a powerful totem of dark magic shows up at the Colt City Natural History Museum, Hitler sends his fearsome Werwolf Korps to collect the piece. Unfortunately for the führer, Colt City’s protector, the Black Beetle, is on the case!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below *** The Good

  • Francavilla has set up the Black Beetle to look and feel like an old pulp magazine or movie serial.
  • Night Shift is set in 1941 and the bad guys are Nazis.
  • Cliffhanger on page 7 leading in to full page 8 splash.
  • “I’ll take care of this.”
  • Who is the mysterious leader of Werewolf Korp?
  • Love Francavilla’s art and colors.
  • The Black Beetle’s plan to turn the tables on the Nazis.
  • The cliffhanger on the last page of the story.
  • Bonus “title cards” after the story created by Francesco Francavilla.

The Bad:

  • 1941 Nazis.
  • Black Beetle’s exposition to Dr. Howard — “It’s a long story but — due to the current situation I’ll give you the short version…” [great summary and fits the feel of the 1941 pulp comic but a bad time to be talking about it]
  • Adolph Hitler’s Werewolf Korp. Hitler, Nazi’s and the Werewolf Korp.  It doesn’t get much worse that than in 1941.  Ulp – it just did.  Who is their hooded leader?

The Ugly:

  • Being around to hear a Nazi say, “Keine Zeugen.” <“No witnesses.”>

Black Beetle: Night Shift #0 was a blast. 

Rating:

Z-View: Rasputin #4 by Grecian and Rossmo

Posted on by

Rasputin is an on-going series created by Alex Grecian & Riley Rossmo published by Image.

Writer: Alex Grecian

Artist: Riley Rossmo

Colorist: Ivan Plascencia

Letterer: Thomas Mauer

BETRAYED! Rasputin’s life changes forever when he’s asked to save the prince’s life. But first the mad monk has to let someone else die. His road to infamy begins here.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • “I know how I will die and this is not yet the time.”
  • Tsarina Alexandra’s test for Rasputin.
  • Rasputin’s repeated reactions to the doctor after helping the pet dog.
  • “He eats like a dog.”

The Bad:

  • “No, I became the animal.  Only a little bit, but… I didn’t like it.”

The Ugly:

  • The “little soldier” in bed when Rasputin meets him.
  • Rasputin at the dinner table.

 

I enjoyed Rasputin 4 and look forward to future issues.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Z-View: Winter World #7 by Dixon and Giorello

Posted on by

Winter World created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino.

Winter World #7 published by IDW Publishing.

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Artist: Thomas Giorello

Colorist: Diego Rodriguez

Letterer: Robbie Robbins

 

“The Stranded,” conclusion! A confrontation decades in the making! Scully and Wynn are re-united with the truck that’s been their rolling home across two seas, only to find themselves in more danger than ever. What promised to be a sanctuary turns out to be a slaughterhouse as Skitters and the feral Monkey Boy finally catch up with Scully and Wynn in a place where there’s nowhere to run.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Thomas Giorello and Diego Rodriguez continue to impress.
  • The interplay between Scully, Wynn and Trina.  The sneer on Wynn’s face.
  • “We’ll find them.  Won’t we Scully?”  “Damned right we will.”
  • Rah-Rah to the rescue!
  • Preview of Tommy Lee Edwards’ art for next issue!

The Bad:

  • “Where’s Wynn?”
  • Told to throw his gun down, Scully does just that.

The Ugly:

  • Wynn to the rescue!
  • Trina to the rescue!

 

Winter World #7 is for mature readers due to violence.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Z-View: Winter World #6 by Dixon and Giorello

Posted on by

Winter World created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino.

Winter World #5 published by IDW Publishing.

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Artist: Thomas Giorello

Colorist: Diego Rodriguez

Letterer: Robbie Robbins

 

Snowblind! Scully is sightless and must rely on Wynn to survive in a world that seeks to kill them at every turn. Their stolen vehicle is carjacked in turn by even more dangerous lowlifes. And their oldest enemy, Skitters, has stalked them across two frozen oceans and two icy continents and is now within striking distance. It’s a cruel world populated by crueler people where each day, each moment, might be your last.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Thomas Giorello and Diego Rodriguez continue to impress.
  • “HaHaHaHa!  Didn’t know it has a hundred gallon reserve tank?”
  • “You not run?”  “I knew you lied.”  “You not scared?” “I’m scared.”  “You not RUN.”  “I’ll choose how I die.  It won’t be by getting shot in the back.”

The Bad:

  • Scully is still snowblind!
  • Being left naked in the barren, freezing cold.

The Ugly:

  • The poor baby polar bears.

 

Winter World #6 is for mature readers due to violence.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Z-View: Escape from New York #2 by Selba and Barreto

Posted on by

Escape From New York is an on-going series published by Boom Studios.

Writer: Christopher Sebela

Artist: Diego Barreto

Colorist: Marissa Louise

Letterer: Ed Dukeshire

Between the escalation of World War III and being Number One on America’s most wanted list, Snake Plissken jumps borders and finds himself in the seceded nation of Florida. While he may have escaped the USPF, Snake finds himself in the middle of a whole new level of political corruption.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Dan Panosian’s variant cover [see bottom of this post] rocks!
  • “That’s not him.  Look how short he is, Erick.”
  • “Morrell, Look under the eye patch.”  “How much you give me Rip?”
  • “What happens after that?”  “Ask someone who cares.”

The Bad:

  • I’m not a fan of the cover at the top of this post.
  • I have no interest in Romulus and Remus.  I realize EFNY characters are always extreme but the characters in this series seem to be written for little kids.
  • Being held prisoner in four submarines welded together.

The Ugly:

  • Meemaw.

 

Escape from New York #1 should appeal to fans of the movie, Escape from, oh, you know.

Rating:

Z-View: Shaft #2 by Walker and Evely

Posted on by

Shaft is an on-going series published by Dynamite. Shaft created by Ernest Tidyman.

Writer: David F. Walker

Artist: Bilquis Evely

Colorist: Daniel Miwa

Cover Shown: Denys Cowan, Bill Sienkiewicz & Ivan Nunes

Every great detective has their first case. For John Shaft, that first case seems simple enough. But tracking down a missing person for his girlfriend quickly turns into a matter of life and death. With the bodies piling up, Shaft realizes he’s in over his head. But can he stay alive long enough to figure out what is going on, or will his first case be the death of John Shaft?

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good:

  • Still diggin’ the art by Bilquis Evely.
  • “Could spot a booster from a mile away.  That’s ’cause I used to be a booster.”
  • Double page splash showing Shaft’s relationship deepening.
  • “Keeping her safe is the most important thing.  That’s the only thing keeping the four-eyed ************ alive.”
  • “It was like someone opened a cage and let the animal out.”
  • Evely gets the feel of the period down pat.

The Bad:

  • “The fact that they’re following us this close says a lot.  First, they don’t care if we know.  Second, if they don’t care that we know, they don’t think we’re a problem.”
  • “They were either cops or gangsters…”

The Ugly:

  • The last page of the issue… and I can’t wait for #3!

 

Shaft #2 should appeal to fans of the Shaft movies and is for mature audiences due to adult language.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Rating:

Z-View: Conan Red Sonja #1 by Simone/Zub and Panosian

Posted on by

Conan Red Sonja is a mini-series published by Dark Horse.

Writer:  Gail Simone, Jim Zub
Artist:  Dan Panosian
Colorist:  Dave Stewart
Cover Artist:  Dan Panosian

In a story spanning multiple eras in the lives of these classic characters, Conan and Red Sonja become comrades to take down a sorcerer-priest hell bent on creating a dark new age in Hyborian warfare!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Great cover by Dan Panosian!
  • The first scene with Conan!
  • Panosian’s scenes have a great feel of depth to them – see page 11, panel 3.
  • “Well, THAT seems excessive.”
  • “Yes, it is my burden in life.  Over- Confidence.”
  • “You fight good. For a Cimerian I mean.”
  • Preview of the next cover by Panosian!

The Bad:

  • If Sonja finds you are “murdering beasts for money.”
  • Some fans find this young Conan too pretty, too fancy.  I look at it as just another take on a classic character.

The Ugly:

  • If Conan has to silence you.
  • The last page of this issue’s story.

 

Conan Red Sonja #1

Rating: 4 out of 5

Ron Salas has that Phantom Vibe!

Posted on by

That’s Ron Salas’ variant cover art for The Phantom #1.

Bleeding Cool posted a slightly larger version of it along with a black and white version with this comment:

Now this issue has the Darwyn Cooke cover as do the others and it has a Rob LIefeld cover, but this one also has a very cool looking Ron Salas cover which we have here both colored and uncolored. Honestly, of the three I think this is the one I’d grab because it has such a cool Phantom vibe.

Wow!  High praise indeed!

Z-View: Men of Wrath #4 by Aaron and Garney

Posted on by

Men of Wrath is a five issue mini-series created by Jason Aaron & Ron Garney published by Marvel.

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Ron Garney

Colorist: Matt Milla

Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher

The last living men of Rath face off, as Ruben comes gunning for Ira to protect the life of his unborn child. With father and son standing poised to kill each other, will the Rath curse come full circle?

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Nice cover!
  • Ira’s grocery store run-in with the Sheriff.
  • The last page is a shocker.

The Bad:

  • Ruben proving to himself he’s a “man.”
  • Going from wanting to kill your soon to making him wealthy.
  • “She’s out in the backyard. Buried under a sycamore.”

The Ugly:

  • The way Ira talks to his son.
  • The way Ruben let’s his gun answer back.

 

Men of Wrath #4  is for mature readers due to mature language and violence.

Rating:

The Mercenary Sea #8 by Symons and Reynolds

Posted on by

The Mercenary Sea is an on-going series created by Kel Symons & Matthew Reynolds published by Image.

Writer: Kel Symons

Art and Colors: Matthew Reynolds

Letterer: Pat Brosseau

“ON TREASURE ISLAND” The second of a two-part story: On the hunt for Koji Ra, Jack and the crew of the Venture explore ancient ruins on a deserted island and run into an old adversary. This issue also includes a bonus short story just in time for Christmas.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below *** The Good

  • Matthew Reynolds kicks things off with another impressive cover.
  • Kel Symons sets the table with a race against time [an unstable volcano about to blow] and an old adversary hunting for the same treasure.
  • Regular readers will be surprised by this one: I like the blur effect on page 6, panel 3.
  • The splash on page 11.
  • “Can we go again?”
  • The bonus Christmas story!

The Bad:

  • “The room is flooding!”
  • “There’s too much water pressure.”
  • “No good, Skipper.  No way out up here.”

The Ugly:

  • The centipede’s path.

The Mercenary Sea #8 should appeal to all who old time action and adventure.

Rating: 4 out of 5

The Mercenary Sea #7 by Symons and Reynolds

Posted on by


The Mercenary Sea is an on-going series created by Kel Symons & Matthew Reynolds published by Image.

Writer: Kel Symons

Art and Colors: Matthew Reynolds

Letterer: Pat Brosseau

“JOHNNY ONE-NOTE” The book BuzzFeed calls one of the top indie comics you should read returns with an all-new adventure. Jack Harper, captain of the Venture, tracks down clues about the legend of Koji Ra from an antiquities dealer in occupied China.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Bottom panel page 7 – simple but effective
  • Abbott and Costello would have been proud – page 9, panel 1
  • “I owe that guy a drink.”
  • Last page splash.

The Bad:

  • Usually I lead off The Good with praise for another Matthew Reynolds‘ cover.  This one isn’t bad, but it isn’t up there with my other Mercenary Sea favorite covers.  Any guesses why?  Yep, the background blur effect.

The Ugly:

  • Not a thing this issue.

The Mercenary Sea #7  should appeal to all who old time action and adventure.

Rating:

Z-View: The Mercenary Sea #6 by Symons and Reynolds

Posted on by


The Mercenary Sea is an on-going series created by Kel Symons & Matthew Reynolds published by Image.

Writer: Kel Symons

Art and Colors: Matthew Reynolds

Letterer: Pat Brosseau

“TOP HAT, WHITE LIE, AND TALES” Jack and Evelyn, a.k.a. “Top Hat,” are captured by Tono, locking the outclassed Venture into combat with a top-of-theline Japanese destroyer.

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The Good

  • Another excellent cover by Matthew Reynolds
  • Symons comes up with a great and ingenious way for Jack to get word to his crew.
  • Page 14  is really nicely done.

The Bad:

  • “We took a direct hit aft, sir!”
  • “Feels like I just cut in on another girl’s dance.”  “I don’t take spins around the floor with my crew.”

The Ugly:

  • Still not a fan of the out of focus/blur effect — see page 19.

The Mercenary Sea #6  should appeal to all who old time action and adventure.

Rating: