Category: Comics

Z-View: Escape From New York #3 by Sebela and Barreto

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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

Are you ready for…General Plissken? The independent state of Florida has forced Snake to train their troops for the inevitable war with the United States. But you know Snake, he’s not exactly “Employee of the Year.” He’s just trying to find his freedom, and may anger two warring factions in the process!

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

The Good

  • The Snake Plissken character is what keeps me buying this book.  I’m starting to wonder if I’m not part of the audience they’re looking for.

The Bad:

  • I’m not a fan of the Declan Shalvey cover shown above.
  • The story isn’t working, at least for me.  Neither is the art.  Perhaps it’s because I want a grittier more mature Snake Plissken story.
  • Being unable to suspend by disbelief that any adults would follow Romulus and Remus.
  • Snake can break in and out of the compound easier than Hogan and his heroes.

The Ugly:

  • Trying to escape in broad daylight by climbing a high fence topped with barbwire and in direct line of sight to a guard tower.  Ugly and stupid.

Escape from New York #3 

Rating: 2 out of 5

Z-View: Men of Wrath #5 by Aaron and Garney

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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

“Jason Aaron and Ron Garney pull no punches in this darkly magnetic read” – IGN “This is one messed up comic book that I took sheer delight in reading” – Comics Beat “These are talented creators telling a gut punching tale” – Comicosity Bear witness as JASON AARON (Southern Bastards, Original Sin) & RON GARNEY (Wolverine:Weapon X, Thor: God of Thunder) bring the story of the Raths to a bloody conclusion. It all started with some sheep. It won’t end until everyone is dead.

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

The Good

  • Another nice cover!
  • “There’s somethin’ else I sure hate to tell ya…”  “Then don’t.”
  • Love the last panel on page 10.
  • Being smart enough to build your house to withstand bullets — you’re a killer after all.
  • “Molotov cocktails.  Shoulda done that first, ya morons.”
  • Page 17 – panels 2 and 3 are sweet.
  • Saying grace before a meal…
  • Nice twist at the end of the scene in the hospital between Rath and his daughter-in-law.
  • Final page is Rath true to form.

The Bad:

  • Read the first bullet to “The Ugly” and then jump back to read the rest of this…. “Oh wait, … we’re already in a hospital.”
  • Being the cop that shows Rath his son has been killed.
  • Not knowing Rath is behind you with a gun to your head as you finish saying grace before a meal…

The Ugly:

  • The opening splash.  “Oh my God! Somebody get this man to a hospital!”
  • Finding Rath’s bear trap when you’re on your way to kill him.
  • When the last thing you see says “Front Towards Enemy.”
  • What happens when Rath is behind you as you finish grace before a meal.

 

Men of Wrath #5 is for mature readers due to mature language and violence.

Rating:

Z-View: Shaft #3 by Walker and Evely

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Shaft #3 is part of 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

John Shaft didn’t go looking for trouble; it came looking for him, and in the process, a lot of people died. Devastated by the murder of a friend, Shaft wants answers and revenge-though not necessarily in that order. With vengeance on his mind and cold steel in his hand, Shaft finds himself caught up in a brewing gang war that threatens to consume the city. Everyone from the Mafia to the police wants Shaft to do their dirty work, but no one realizes that’s all part of his plan.

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

The Good:

  • “This guy Shaft is a bad…”  “Vic, What would Mama Anderozzi say if she heard you talkin’ like that?”
  • “I’m going to regret this.”
  • The construction site used to dispose of bodies.

The Bad:

  • The cover isn’t as cool as the two previous [but not many rise to that level].
  • Returning to Arletha’s apartment.
  • Wedding nightmares.
  • Compared to the first two issues Shaft #3 felt a little slow.  I look forward to #4 kicking it back up a notch or two.

The Ugly:

  • What they’ve done and what they do to Jimmy Style.

 

Shaft #3 should appeal to fans of the Shaft movies and is for mature audiences due to adult language.

Rating:

Z-View – Red: Eyes Only by Cully Hamner

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Red: Eyes Only is part of a one-shot published by Wildstorm Comics.

Writer: Cully Hamner
Artist: Cully Hamner
Colorist: Val Staples
Cover Artist: Cully Hamner


Cully Hamner writes and draws the prequel to the Red mini-series that he co-created with Warren Ellis.

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

The Good:

  • Cully Hamner on the art and writing!
  • Nice misdirection on page 2.
  • Wanting to get out of “the business.”
  • Silent but deadly page… when Paul Moses comes calling.
  • The final line of the comic has a great payoff.

The Bad:

  • Disowned by family because “You’re a murderer.”
  • Finding out that getting out isn’t easy.
  • “You’ll be assassinated, sir.  Today.”
  • “I have information!”
  • “What…what… my God… What did I just do?”

The Ugly:

  • Trapped in a moving elevator with an assassin.
  • Thinking you always had a choice but finding out you were wrong.

Red: Eyes Only

Rating:

Z-View – Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #4 by Niles and Mitten

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Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #4 is part of a four issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics / IDW Publishing.

Writer: Steve Niles
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Cover Artist: Justin Erickson


With Alice Blood in Eben’s hands, Cal will do anything—including using voodoo—to help fight the vampires. But that might not be enough as the ghouls and the vampires clash in an all-out brawl to the death—with Cal and Eben smack dab in the center.

Will it be Cal or Eben who survives?

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

The Good:

  • Steve Niles and Christopher Mitten are worth the price of admission.
  • “So he needs… What, brains?”  “What good would that do, Officer?”  “I don’t know I’m just trying to keep up here.”
  • The body language of the detective willing to give some of his blood to [hopefully] save Cal.
  • “Never felt better.”
  • “What are you doing? Let me stop him.”  “No… we stay.”

The Bad:

  • “Blargh!”
  • “Not enough.”
  • “Enough talk!  ATTAAAACK!”
  • “They’ll be back.”

The Ugly:

  • The Ugly starts on page one: “I’m right Fl–ere…”
  • The Ghoul, er, bloodbath.
  • Vampire attacking the fine folks on Sunset Blvd.
  • SHRIP on page 18.

Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #4

Rating:

Z-View – Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #3 by Niles and Mitten

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Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #3 is part of a four issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics / IDW Publishing.

Writer: Steve Niles
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Cover Artist: Justin Erickson


Eben Olemaun is on the hunt and he’ll rip both human and vampire limb from limb to get to the person who took everything from him—Federal Agent Alice Blood. Can Cal fight off the hordes of new vampires in time to save her?

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

The Good:

  • Steve Niles and Christopher Mitten are worth the price of admission.
  • Cal’s bravado at having to fight vampires… “Yeah, well I’ve yet to meet a vampire that wasn’t a whiny little – ”  BOOM!
  • “It can’t end like this.”
  • “You’re all going to die.”

The Bad:

  • Page 2: “Sweet Christ” indeed.
  • The “Blarrgh!” continues.
  • “The future of the ghouls is very bleak indeed.”
  • “You should have done more research, vampire…Fire can kill us… but it is not very fast.”
  • “I think turning you would be much better than death.”
  • “Where’s Cal?”

The Ugly:

  • What happens when you don’t tell Eben what he wants to know.
  • What Eben does to Cal three times on page 18.
  • Page 21.
  • Mo’ Lock losing it on the vampires.

Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #3

Rating:

Z-View – Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #2 by Niles and Mitten

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Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #2 is part of a four issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics / IDW Publishing.

Writer: Steve Niles
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Cover Artist: Justin Erickson


Cal has always wanted the Feds to focus on vampires, and now they are, one in particular—Eben Olemaun, now on a quest to bring mankind to its knees. But the FBI is up to more than tracking down Eben. Will Cal and Alice figure it out before it kills them both?

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

The Good:

  • Steve Niles and Christopher Mitten are worth the price of admission.
  • “Bad time?”  “Always.”
  • “What are you smiling about?”  “Stuff.”

The Bad:

  • The “Blaarggh!” continues.
  • What happens when you tell Eben “There is no coming back.”
  • SCRAATCH SCRATCH “Something on the roof.”

The Ugly:

  • What happens to Unit 14 on page 2.
  • The effect Mo’ Lock has on people.  “Gah!”
  • The last page of the issue.

Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #2

Rating:

Z-View – Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #1 by Niles and Mitten

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Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #1 is part of a four issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics / IDW Publishing.

Writer:  Steve Niles
Artist:  Christopher Mitten
Colorist:  Michelle Madsen
Cover Artist:  Justin Erickson


In this epic crossover with IDW, Steve Niles’s greatest characters come together in a final showdown.

Cal McDonald only wanted a beer, but what he got was a jaded federal agent and a story about vampires up in Barrow, Alaska. There’s a new vamp in LA, and he’s hell bent on escalating his attacks. When Mo’Lock’s sometimes ghoul-friend is murdered, Cal’s on the hunt . . . for Eben—the longtime protagonist/antagonist of 30 Days of Night.

 

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

The Good:

  • Steve Niles and Christopher Mitten are worth the price of admission.
  • “Been a while.”  “I’ve been busy fighting everybody.”

The Bad:

  • Barrow Alaska – Hometown buffet for vampires.
  • Vampires seem to be gathering forces…
  • “The fall of Los Angeles begins.”

The Ugly:

  • “Blaargh!”
  • What was done to Shaw’na.
  • Lord Westminster aka John.

Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #1

Rating:

Z-View – Criminal Macabre / The Goon: When Freaks Collide by Niles, Powell and Mitten

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Criminal Macabre / The Goon: When Freaks Collide is a one-shot published by Dark Horse Comics.

Writers: Steve Niles, Eric Powell
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Cover Artist: Fiona Staple

Cal McDonald, the drug-fueled paranormal private dick, goes head to head with Lonely Street’s zombie-pulverizing Goon, in a weird in-between world full of monsters, horror, and humor!

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

The Good:

  • Nice cover by Fiona Staple.
  • Chris Mitten‘s art is a treat.
  • Having Steve Niles and Eric Powell co-write their creations is a plus.
  • “Talking like that just makes me want to kill you twice.”
  • “Don’t touch me. Seriously.”
  • The guest appearance on the last page.
  • Bonus pinup by Ben Templesmith.

The Bad:

  • When you say, “Hey Mo, Check it, The Little Rascals did steroids like Carrot Top” to the Goon and Frankie.
  • “This is a LOT more than I expected.”  “Yep. Me too.”

The Ugly:

  • Wooden stake to the eye.

Criminal Macabre / The Goon: When Freaks Collide

Rating: 5 out of 5

Z-View: Bullet to the Head #6 by Matz and Wilson

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Bullet to the Head #6 is part of a six issue mini-series from Dynamite Comics. Originally printed in France as Du plomb dans la tête (which roughly translates to Lead in the Head), the story was later optioned and adapted into a Sylvester Stallone movie.

Written by Matz
Art by Colin Wilson
Colors by Chris Blythe
Letters by Colin Wilson

The final chapter of the critically acclaimed masterpiece arrives this November! All of the violence, mayhem, and carnage of the previous issues come together in an intensely suspenseful and violent issue. Written by Matz and drawn by Colin Wilson (Ed Brubaker’s Point Blank), enjoy the exciting conclusion of the best crime noir masterpiece in today’s comics!

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

  • The art by Colin Wilson and colors by Chris Blythe continue to impress.
  • Carlisle: “You can’t go home Kate…”  Kate: “Until when?”  Jimmy: “Until we kill them all.”  Carlisle: “Don’t worry Kate.  He’s just kidding.”  Kate: “They asked for it.”
  • “I don’t regret a thing.”
  • “Don’t move, Jimmy.”  “I look like I’m going anywhere?”
  • Matz provides a punchline to a running joke and it works.
  • Matz also ties up the mini-series with an ending that not only satisfies but leaves the door open for a sequel.

The Bad:

  • “I’m bleeding out.  I won’t make it.”

The Ugly:

  • Eating your gun as a way out.

Bullet to the Head #6 is for mature audiences due to violence, adult language and situations.

Rating:

Z-View: Bullet to the Head #5 by Matz and Wilson

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Bullet to the Head #5 is part of a six issue mini-series from Dynamite Comics. Originally printed in France as Du plomb dans la tête (which roughly translates to Lead in the Head), the story was later optioned and adapted into a Sylvester Stallone movie.

Written by Matz
Art by Colin Wilson
Colors by Chris Blythe
Letters by Colin Wilson

The penultimate chapter of the critically acclaimed masterpiece arrives with Bullet to the Head #5! All of the violence, mayhem, and carnage of the previous issues come together in its most horrifyingly bloody issue yet! Written by Matz and drawn by Colin Wilson (Ed Brubaker’s Point Blank), Bullet to the Head distinguishes itself as the best crime noir masterpiece in today’s comics!

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

  • The art by Colin Wilson and colors by Chris Blythe continue to impress.
  • Matz creates one of my favorite covers ever.
  • “Who do you think you are? A cop?”  “Don’t insult me.”
  • “Single or double?”  “Double. –” “–Single.”
  • “Be careful.” “It’s too late for that.”
  • “For a guy who can’t sleep, you’re doing okay.”

The Bad:

  • What happens when you don’t tell an angry cop with a gun to his head who killed his partner.

The Ugly:

  • Thinking you’re well hidden in a trash dumpster… when you’re not.

Bullet to the Head #5 is for mature audiences due to violence, adult language and situations.

Rating:

Z-View: Bullet to the Head #4 by Matz and Wilson

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Bullet to the Head #4 is part of a six issue mini-series from Dynamite Comics. Originally printed in France as Du plomb dans la tête (which roughly translates to Lead in the Head), the story was later optioned and adapted into a Sylvester Stallone movie.

Written by Matz
Art by Colin Wilson
Colors by Chris Blythe
Letters by Colin Wilson

The crime noir masterpiece continues, written by Matz and drawn by Colin Wilson (Ed Brubaker’s Point Blank)! The book centers on a pair of assassin buddies and a pair of cop buddies, with a body count that grows as the story progresses and each pair trying to figure out what is happening! In this 4th issue of the award-winning crime saga, the violence intensifies and with a pulse pounding last page!

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

  • The art by Colin Wilson and colors by Chris Blythe continue to impress.
  • The hitman and the cop deciding to join forces.
  • “A killer… and he knows that I know?”  “Yeah.”  “I think I’m going to scream.”
  • “How much do you trust him?”  “As much as I trust you.”

The Bad:

  • Another cover made by enlarging and combining panels from the interior art.
  • “For crying out loud!  They didn’t wait up?!”
  • Picking up a hitchhiker who happens to be a hit man… who isn’t fly at all.

The Ugly:

  • Set up for a hit and taken out with a tire iron.

Bullet to the Head #4 is for mature audiences due to violence, adult language and situations.

Rating:

Z-View: Bullet to the Head #3 by Matz and Wilson

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Bullet to the Head #3 is part of a six issue mini-series from Dynamite Comics. Originally printed in France as Du plomb dans la tête (which roughly translates to Lead in the Head), the story was later optioned and adapted into a Sylvester Stallone movie.

Written by Matz Art by Colin Wilson Colors by Chris Blythe Letters by Colin Wilson

Bullet to the Head, the crime noir masterpiece continues, written by Matz and drawn by Colin Wilson (Ed Brubaker’s Point Blank)! The book centers on a pair of assassin buddies and a pair of cop buddies, with a body count that grows as the story progresses and each pair trying to figure out what is happening! In this third issue of the award-winning crime saga, the pair of assassins strike again! But why?

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

  • The art by Colin Wilson and colors by Chris Blythe continue to impress.
  • Nice cover by Matz.
  • During a meeting with Slide, Steve takes a call on his cell.  While Steve is on his cell, Slide makes a call on his cell.  When they both finish and conclude there meeting, Slide tells Steve he needs to keep his cell phone off when meeting with important people.
  • “Why me?”  “I didn’t shoot them did I?”
  • “So you’re not mad I did this, Slide?”  “At least this way, Johanssen will know we mean business.”
  • “I don’t think I’m going to have a choice, Jimmy.”

The Bad:

  • Telling hitmen who have come to your house that you’re alone when you’re not.
  • “He’s unconscious, but there was a glitch.”
  • “The Governor?  You want to take the Governor out?”
  • “I’m right here, but I don’t like this.”

The Ugly:

  • When your wife and daughter surprise hitmen thinking you were alone in the house.
  • “I sense trouble.”
  • What Jimmy has in his hand in the 2nd panel on the 2nd to last page of the issue.

Bullet to the Head #3 is for mature audiences due to violence, adult language and situations.

Rating: