Category: Comics

Z-View: Winter World #5 by Dixon and Giorello

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Winter World created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino.

Winter World #4 published by IDW Publishing.

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Artist: Thomas Giorello

Colorist: Diego Rodriguez

Letterer: Robbie Robbins

 

Great Jumping-on Point! Scully, Wynn and Rah-Rah are on foot without food or shelter in a brutal world where death stalks their every step. Their vehicle has been stolen by a mystery woman and killing cold, starvation, giant predators and a mountain range won’t stop them from getting it back! A new arc begins with the rich, illustrative artwork of Tomas Giorello! Bring your woolies, it’s going to be a long, cold winter!

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

The Good

  • Thomas Giorello is an excellent choice for the artist for the next story arc.
  • Rodriguez’s colors continue to complement the art.
  • “Hate keeps Skitters warm.”
  • Rah-rah is one brave badger.
  • Pages 15, 19 and 20 especially shine.

The Bad:

  • What toll collectors get instead of candy.
  • What Scully finds instead of thieves and liars.

The Ugly:

  • Scully’s situation.

 

Winter World #5 is for mature readers due to violence.

Rating:

Z-View: Winter World #4 by Dixon & Guice from IDW

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Winter World created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino.

Winter World #4 published by IDW Publishing.

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Artist: Butch Guice

Colorist: Diego Rodriguez

Letterer: Robbie Robbins

 

Scully and Wynn learn that the promise of paradise is a lie. Chuck Dixon and Butch Guice bring the first arc of this new ongoing to an explosive finale. What they thought was a sanctuary proves to be a death trap. The two friends are separated by their captors and Wynn faces a primordial horror on her own. The world is cold but the grave is colder as events race toward a deadly conclusion!

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

The Good

  • Gerardo Zaffino provides a cover [shown above] that is the best of the series so far.
  • Each issue I’ve complemented Guice [art] and Rodriguez [colors] for their beautiful art — this issue is no exception.  What a great team!
  • “All right Nino. Let’s have a look at you. And please don’t have legs.”
  • Page 16 – Scully’s arrival was as welcome as Burt Reynold’s in Deliverance.

The Bad:

  • TANG – TANG -TANG – TANG
  • “Someone was lying.”

The Ugly:

  • Wynn’s situation.

 

Winter World #4 is for mature readers due to violence.

Rating:

Z-View: Winter World #3 by Dixon & Guice from IDW

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Winter World created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino.

Winter World #3 published by IDW Publishing.

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Artist: Butch Guice

Colorist: Diego Rodriguez

Letterer: Robbie Robbins

 

Chuck Dixon and Butch Guice take you deeper into the next ice age as Scully and Wynn find a refuge of sorts in the last place on Earth that’s warm. It’s a communal paradise of farmers and fishermen who have made heaven from hell. But is all what it seems to be or, as Scully believes, is it way too good to be true?

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

The Good

  • Chuck Dixon breaks the norm and takes us to an area that isn’t barren and frozen — with a reasonable explanation.
  • “We are not a cruel people.  It is only that resources are limited.”
  • Guice and Rodriguez continue to impress with the interior art and colors.
  • “I’ve never seen a stockpile like this.”
  • “The book is very clear on this.” [Love the book used.]
  • Scully’s response when Wynn says, “I like it here” while looking at some boys her age.
  • “Well, ask yourself one question, sister… Where’s Rah-Rah?  Why’s he still hiding from them?”

The Bad:

  • I’m not a fan of the cover above.
  • “Then just let me go.”
  • Wynn is getting too comfortable in La Nina.

The Ugly:

  • “We need you to be there to be this year’s La Nina.”
  • “Then you will wear the bell.  And take the blessings of us all with you.”

 

Winter World #3 is for mature readers due to violence.

Rating:

Z-View: Winter World #2 by Dixon & Guice from IDW

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Winter World created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino.

Winter World #2 published by IDW Publishing.

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Artist: Butch Guice

Colorist: Diego Rodriguez

Letterer: Robbie Robbins

 

The saga of Scully and Wynn continues as they search for a fabled village by the sea where rumors tell of a warm heaven in this cold hell. Wynn is still in search of her parents and the village of La Niña may be the place they were heading when she was abandoned as a child. Scully just wants to find enough fuel to keep their new vehicle on the move. But will they find death at the end of the icy road?

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

The Good

  • Chuck Dixon continues to write a story that moves.
  • Butch Guice’s art coupled with Diego Rodriguez’s colors is as Burgess Meredith would say, “a ting of beauty!”
  • Wynn is a kid who has had to grow up too fast and Dixon never loses sight of that.

The Bad:

  • I was expecting more action at the canal crossing, but Dixon is good at keeping us guessing.
  • Stepping into a trip wire when you’re sneaking in a place.
  • “The man is of no use to us.  We might use the girl…”

The Ugly:

  • “Scully tell me you have a plan.  I want to hear it.  I bet it’s good.”  “Sorry.  I’m so very sorry Wynn.”

 

Winter World #2 is for mature readers due to violence.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Z-View: Winter World #1 by Dixon & Guice from IDW

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Winter World created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino.

Winter World  #1 published by IDW Publishing.

Writer: Chuck Dixon

Artist: Butch Guice

Colorist: Diego Rodriguez

Letterer: Robbie Robbins

 

Winter is coming early! All new stories based on the Chuck Dixon/Jorge Zaffino classic! The apocalyptic international comics sensation of an Earth turned to an icy hell is back with Dixon returning to script and Butch Guice doing some of the best work of his illustrious artistic career as they take on the bleak and frozen future. Follow Scully and Wynn from their icy home of Wintersea into a killing wasteland where the coldest place is the human heart.

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

The Good

  • The writing by Chuck Dixon is on point.
  • Butch Guice’s art has never looked better.
  • Diego Rodriguez’s colors enhance the art without being showy.

The Bad:

  • “No one remembers not being hungry.  Not being cold.”
  • “The motor is cooked.”
  • The attack at the bottom of page 17 is beautiful to look at and scary as anything you can imagine.
  • “Here comes the dead end I was talking about.”

The Ugly:

  • “We’re on fire, Scully.”

 

Winter World  #1  is for readers twelve and up due to some violence.  It should appeal to fans of Mad Max, Apocalyptic movies, and lovers of great art and writing.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Z-View: Quatermain – Ghosts of the Nzadi #2 by Davis and Silva

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Quatermain: Ghosts of the Nzodi #2 was published by Blue Water Comics.

Writter: Scott Davis

Artist: Hoyt Silva

Letterer: David Hopkins

Myth, magic and reality start to blur as Quatermain continues his quest to find the body of his son, and faces his greatest foe; his own guilt. But time is running short and Quatermain must track down a powerful shaman that might hold the key to the mysterious were-creatures… or might be there creator. This is Chapter 2: Usiku Viumbe (“Night Creatures”) of new epic adventure serial featuring the original “super” hero-Allan Quatermain.

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

The Good

  • Hoyt Silva was the selling point for me. Hoyt did the pencils, inks and colors.
  • Nice twist on the last page.

The Bad:

  • There’s too much myth and magic for my taste.  I wanted Quatermain to be action and adventure!
  • “I’m so sorry.  I failed you… I failed you both.”  Later in the story, “… And I would do it all the same again.” Huh?

The Ugly:

  • That big, face-painted native that looks like Kamala sure speaks English well.

Quatermain: Ghosts of the Nzodi #2 is for readers twelve and up due to some violence.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Gravedigger by Mills and Burchett Going to Action Lab Entertainment!

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Chris Mills announced this week that Gravedigger, the brilliant crime comic that he does with Rick Burchett will begin appearing from Action Lab Entertainment‘s Danger Zone later this year.

Regular readers know that I am a huge fan of both Mills and Burchett [separately] and Gravedigger is one of my all-time favorite comic characters.  Hopefully Action Lab will get enough sales of  two existing Gravedigger sagas – The Scavengers and The Predators to call for a nice hardcover and more Gravedigger yarns.

You can believe that I will keep you posted.

Z-View: Quatermain – Ghosts of the Nzadi #1 by Davis and Silva

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Quatermain: Ghosts of the Nzodi #1 was published by Blue Water Comics.

Writter: Scott Davis

Artist: Hoyt Silva

Letterer: David Hopkins

 

While travelling on a somber mission to bury his recently deceased son, legendary hero Allan Quatermain is forced to confront both inner demons…and bestial undead ones too. When the body of his son disappears, he jumps headlong on a quest to reclaim the body and unburies several secrets some believe best left hidden. Woven into historical landscape of the brutal Belgian rule of the Congo, this new Quatermain adventure travels into the heart of darkness and remains true to the exploratory spirit of the original HR Haggard novels.

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

The Good

  • Hoyt Silva was the selling point for me.  Hoyt did the pencils, inks and colors.
  • Nice cover!
  • “Oi Frenchy! The lady has an opinion.”
  • Mixing fictional characters with historical characters.
  • “Reality is a lot less flattering.”

The Bad:

  • Henry Morton Stanley.
  • Finding your son’s casket is empty and there is a lot of zombie talk going around.

The Ugly:

  • “He’s lost a considerable amount of blood.”

 

Quatermain: Ghosts of the Nzodi #1  is for readers  twelve and up due to some violence.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Z-View: Men of Wrath #3 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

Ira Wrath is ready to pull the trigger on the last remaining member of his family, and bring the story of his bloodline to a violent end.

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

The Good

  • Ron Garney’s art.
  • Love the cover!
  • “I still never seen no ocean.”
  • “Now tell me little lady… was I lyin’ then?”
  • “Wasn’t always a preacher. Not in Phu Bau in ’68.”

The Bad:

  • Ira Rath is so bad he is willing to kill his own son for money.
  • It’s a long time since ’68.

The Ugly:

  • The history of the Rath family.

 

Men of Wrath #3 is for mature readers due to mature language and violence.

Rating:

Z-View: Rasputin #3 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

Young Rasputin has the power to heal people, to give them energy, and to make them feel better than they ever have before. The ladies do not complain.

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

The Good

  • Riley Rossmo’s art continues to impress.
  • “You do not only give life, you exchange it.”

The Bad:

  • Not knowing what the giant monk did to your friends and agreeing to take him with you on your journey.
  • This issue was a little too supernatural/metaphysical for my tastes.

The Ugly:

  • “I have always known what my friends would do to me… and how this would end.”

 

I enjoyed Rasputin 3 and look forward to future issues.

Rating: 4 out of 5 

Z-View: Men of Wrath #2 by Aaron & 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

Dig deeper into the bloodstained history of the Raths, an Alabama family caught in a generational cycle of violence. Are all members of this clan of killers cursed to live and die by the sword, or can one of them break the chain?

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

The Good

  • Ron Garney’s art.
  • Milla does an especially nice job of coloring the night scenes.
  • “I’d much rather bury one body than two.”
  • “Kid… I’m sorry.”

The Bad:

  • Catching rabies.
  • How Reuben Rath can earn some extra money.
  • The cover shown above is boring.

The Ugly:

  • Being put down like a dog… a “bad dog.”

 

Men of Wrath #2 is for mature readers due to mature language and violence.

Rating:

Z-View: Deep State #2 by Jordan and Kristantina

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Deep State is an on-going series created by Justin Jordan published by Boom Studios.

Writer: Justin Jordan

Artist: Ariela Kristantina

Colorist: Ben Wilsonham

Letterer: Ed Dukeshire

Harrow and Branch’s investigation of the long-lost Soviet lander’s crash site leads them to a small town in rural Pennsylvania. Before the mysterious force is able to take control of the townspeople and enact its full plan, the Agents of Control must isolate the town from the world and eliminate the menace.

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

The Good

  • Opening line: “It’s already too late.”
  • The storytelling used to show Harrow and Branch clearing a house.
  • The rapidly spreading virus/plague/alien infestation makes for a fun story.

The Bad:

  • The rapidly spreading virus/plague/alien infestation makes for a bad situation for the characters in the story.
  • How Harrow helps when he is “entire and effective.”
  • The art/coloring doesn’t gel as well as in the first issue.

The Ugly:

  • What happens when you meet someone who has met the alien.

 

Deep State #2 should appeal to fans of The X-Files and the Twilight Zone.  I’ll be back for more!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Darwyn Cooke’s Revengeance

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Darwyn Cooke was an amazing artist. He was always kind and humble in my interactions with him.  But that was the way he was with his fans.  Cooke was one of the few artsits that I’d seek out anything he worked on.  Sadly he left us far too soon.

Before Darwyne Cooke died, a new mini-series by him was in the works…

Darwyn Cooke’s Revengeance has been announced and I can’t wait…

REVENGEANCE is a psychological thriller with darkly humorous overtones. When Joe Malarky is faced with a criminal tragedy, he sets out to make things right on his own. What follows is Joe’s odyssey through the underside of the city and the madness that seems to drive his crazy world. REVENGEANCE takes place in Toronto in the mid-eighties and is part crime story, part psychotronic melodrama, and a wholly fond look back at the author’s hometown.

Man, that sounded so cool.  Of course everything Cooke created fit that category.

Source: Almost Darwyn Cooke.