Category: Comics

Z-View: Bullet to the Head #2 by Matz and Wilson

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Bullet to the Head #2 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

Senator Sterling is dead – his corpse found with that of an underage hooker. But why the cover-up? That’s the question being asked not only by two of New York’s Finest… but by the killers themselves. Bullet to the Head, a crime noir tale of violence and revenge from writer Matz (Killer) and artist Colin Wilson (Ed Brubaker’s Point Blank), continues from Dynamite!

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

  • The art by Colin Wilson and colors by Chris Blythe continue to impress.
  • Matz does a great job of creating dialogue that seems real.
  • “I sense trouble.”

The Bad:

  • The cover doesn’t work at least for me.  Two panels from the comic and not the most dynamic ones at that.
  • Sometimes Matz gets wordy.
  • “I assume you didn’t mention that to the Lieutenant either, did you?”
  • “…We’ve got a leak in here somewhere, and we’re going to have to find it.”
  • The warning, “Frank! Watch out!” comes a second to late.

The Ugly:

  • What Frank finds waiting on him — in more ways than one.
  • “Stop.”  “Why?”  “He’s not going to say anything and we can’t stay here any longer.”  Oh-oh.

Bullet to the Head #2 is for mature audiences due to violence, adult language and situations.

Rating:

Z-View: Bullet to the Head #1 by Matz and Wilson

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Bullet to the Head is 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

Two cops. Two killers. A political scandal. One beautiful corpse. And a city gripped with fear. Dynamite Entertainment proudly presents Bullet to the Head – a classic crime noir tale of violence and revenge from writer Matz (Killer) and artist Colin Wilson (Star Wars Invasion)!

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

  • The art by Colin Wilson and colors by Chris Blythe work well together.
  • Nice set up by Matz – a pair of hitmen hired to kill a senator with mob ties and a pair of cops assigned to investigate the Senator’s murder are about to find out that things aren’t what they seem.
  • Page 14 — awesome writing, art and colors.  Excellent page.
  • “This ******** about buying ourselves some time by withholding everything from the press… I don’t like it, so I’m going to do things my way, just in case.”
  • “I sense trouble.”

The Bad:

  • Stepping into dog mess wearing two thousand dollar shoes.
  • Wrong place, wrong time for a young girl.
  • “… They want everything to remain secret.  For now, officially, the Senator had a heart attack, and we have one body in this room.  Is that clear?”

The Ugly:

  • Being the dog that left the mess that a hitman steps in.

is for mature audiences due to violence, adult language and situations.  

Rating: 4 out of 5

Z-View – Batman Catwoman: “Follow the Money” by Chaykin

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Batman Catwoman: Follow the Money is a one shot from DC Comics.

Written by Howard Chaykin
Art by Howard Chaykin
Colors by Jesus Aburto
Letters by John J. Hill

 

The Cavalier – that’s the Z-lister with the swords, right? So how’d he manage to frame Catwoman for a run of burglaries? And how on Earth did he manage the more spectacular crime of cleaning out the Wayne Enterprises pension fund and framing Bruce Wayne for the deed? However impressive he may appear to be, The Cavalier will quickly learn that frame-ups like that cut both ways, as both Batman and Catwoman begin tracking the Gotham City villain in this stand-alone one-shot from comics legend Howard Chaykin!

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

  • I am a huge Howard Chaykin fan and so Chaykin on the writing and art chores is absolutely good enough to get me on board.
  • “I have to say I love what I do.”
  • “…it’s when the movies overlap that the trouble starts.”
  • Catwoman arguing with Batman that he does break the law.  “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”
  • “Good call, Peter… start praying.”

The Bad:

  • Having only a T-square for defense against a swordsman with an electric sword.

The Ugly:

  • Wayne Enterprises’ massive accounting scandal leaving the pension fund broke.

Batman Catwoman: Follow the Money

Rating: 3 out of 5

Z-View – The Black Beetle: “No Way Out” #4 by Francavilla

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

Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla

The epic conclusion to Black Beetle’s first series! Colt City’s caped crusader goes head to head with the mysterious villain Labyrinto! Can Black Beetle make it out of this maze of matched wits and matched blows alive?!

*** 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.
  • Another great cover by Francavilla.
  • Last panel page 5.
  • Is that Steranko??
  • The reason Labyrinto chose his name.
  • Bonus art – Albert Hulm and more!
  • Francavilla’s coloring throughout the series has been spot on.

The Bad:

  • “All right Fierro… time’s up.”  “You got that right.”  Poor Fierro.
  • “I’m afraid I’ve been you to the punch once again, my mysterious friend.”
  • The way Jimmy Galazzo’s dad treated him.

The Ugly:

  • Poor Fierro.

Black Beetle: No Way Out

Rating: 5 out of 5

Z-View – The Black Beetle: “No Way Out” #3 by Francavilla

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

Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla

While investigating a mysterious mass murder that leveled Colt City’s mob bosses, Black Beetle gets wrapped up in a puzzling maze of clues. Could the appearance of a costumed criminal named Labyrinto be related to the destruction of the powerful organized-crime racket?

*** 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.
  • Every month I sing the praises of Francavilla’s Black Beetle covers.  This is my favorite so far.
  • Shadows fall over the Black Beetle’s face while in disguise but out of costume — could they be a nod to Will Eisner’s The Spirit?
  • “Having me outnumbered makes them confident… but it also makes them predictable.”
  • Page before “Intermezzo” — who is that mystery man watching from above in the shadows.  Oh-oh.  I thought it was him.
  • “Tonight the madness ends.”
  • More bonus art from Francavilla!

The Bad:

  • “You were asking too many questions.  We don’t like snoops around here.”
  • Yikes!  There’s a mystery man watching from the shadows above.
  • “Guess I’ll have to check the body myself… Sometimes I hate my job.”

The Ugly:

  • “Not much left of the face.”

Black Beetle: No Way Out

Rating: 5 out of 5

38 Things We Learned from the “John Wick” Commentary

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Rob Hunter and Film School Rejects present 38 Things We Learned from the John Wick  Commentary.

Here are my top five…

3. Their first “director’s cut” was two hours and twenty minutes. That’s thirty nine minutes longer than the film’s theatrical cut.

4. They acknowledge that in the real world a retired assassin probably would have changed his name, but they like they idea of this world being similar to that of a comic book.

13. They were heavily influenced by the style of graphic novels and attempted to capture some of that in the colors, framing and angles.

20. They love seeing people’s reactions to the gold coins, the cop (Thomas Sadoski) at the front door and other unexplained sequences. “A lot of people don’t give their audiences credit,” says Leitch. “You can leave it a little mysterious. They can think about it.”

18. They credit Reeves’ dedication and talent with their ability to do long takes during the fight scenes. “I think we really only cut for impact,” says Stahelski. “We didn’t really cut to get around moves, we didn’t cut to speed things up. We wanted you to see what happens before, during and after.” “You’re not using long lenses to hide bad action,” adds Leitch.

Z-View – The Black Beetle: No Way Out #2 by Francavilla

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

Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla

While investigating a mysterious mass murder that leveled Colt City’s mob bosses, Black Beetle gets wrapped up in a puzzling maze of clues. Could the appearance of a costumed criminal named Labyrinto be related to the destruction of the powerful organized-crime racket?

*** 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.
  • Another great cover by Francavilla.
  • Love the double-page splash on pages 2 and 3.
  • “But luckily no one gets hurt.”
  • “Thankfully I never leave for an ocean trip without a respirator…”
  • “I’ve learned that, in my case, ‘unlikely to happen’ is often likely to happen.”
  • Big panel on page 11.
  • “The moment I hear him… it’s a second too late.”
  • Page 14
  • “Oh, C’mon now!”
  • Darwyn Cooke Black Beetle bonus sketch!
  • More bonus art from Francavilla!

The Bad:

  • “But even with the helipack, I arrived too late.
  • “Take care of the Black Beetle once and for all.”  Yikes!
  • Who is the person lurking in the shadows behind the Black Beetle on page 9 and coming up behind him on page 10?

The Ugly:

  • “It’s a short fall… but long enough to see all those tiny hungry red eyes… waiting for me to hit the water.  They’re all over me in a second. And they keep coming.  And coming.”
  • Water rising quickly and the escape hatch is barred from the outside!

Black Beetle: No Way Out

Rating: 5 out of 5

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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: