Irredeemable #37 (8.5/10) Waid goes out with a smile

May 23, 2012

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Issue: Irredeemble #37
Writer: Mark Waid
Pencils: Diego Barreto
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Release Date: May 2012

THE FINAL ISSUE OF MARK WAID’S SEMINAL SUPERHERO SERIES! Can the Plutonian, seemingly IRREDEEMABLE, find his salvation? What is the true definition of a hero? And can a world, ravaged by loss and carnage, ever believe in such an idea again? The stunning, breathtaking conclusion to Mark Waid’s Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated superhero saga. DO NOT MISS THIS FINAL ISSUE OF A MASTER WRITER’S TOUR DE FORCE!

Story: 9.5/10 • Artwork: 7.5/10 • Overall 8.5/1o
How does one wrap-up an idea that is as big and bold as Irredeemable in one issue, hero to villain, you don’t try! What Mark Waid does is execute a plan that was in place since 2009. If you read Waid’s introduction from Irredeemable #1 he talks about “Kingdon Come” and “Empire” are just two-parts of a trilogy of superhero philosophy. Irredeemable #37 is about connecting all those ideas and coming full circle.

A finale issue should bring closure to a series and give you hope for the future. In a very obvious way Waid wraps up the book and gives the reader a smile with the last page. The first half of the issue is a very generic superhero story, WE HAVE TO SAVE THE WORLD! The second half is divide into parts, the wrap-up and the look to the future. The wrap-up is organic and not forced. Waid gives the reader a complete story and huge philosophical nut to chew on for the rest of the day.

As an eternal kid at heart that loves super heroes and what they stand for, the last two pages gave me the biggest smile in the world. The Irredeemable storyline is complete and I look forward to Waid’s next philosophical super hero tale.

Diego Barreto’s artwork is solid but nothing ground breaking. The splashed page worked really well to convey emotion and the magnitude of the situation. What didn’t work was the color of the book, it was too bright. If you compare the last issue to the first issue it is extremely bright. A darker tone would have worked better. What would have taking the book over the top is if the book progressively went from dark to light.

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Marvel’s 30-seconds on ABC’s The View = Gay Batman & Robin – Really?!

Matthew Sardo

May 22, 2012

Whoopi Goldberg made the announcement about Norhstar’s proposal to Kyle from Marvel Comics Astonishing X-Men #50 on the View Tuesday morning. Here is the 30-second video and bad Batman and Robin humor by Joy Behar. On one hand Goldberg is defending gay marriage and comic books and then Behar makes a cheap gay Batman & Robin joke. You feel that you’re making ground and then you realize how far you still need to go.

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Dead Reckoning: Contagion issue #2 – Review

Matthew Sardo

May 21, 2012

Issue: Dead Reckoning: Contagion issue #2
Writer: Z.M. Thomas
Pencils: Cliff Richards
Publisher: Trepidation Comics
Release Date: January 2012
Pages: 28
Price: $3.99

“With the resurgence of what is believed an evolved strain of the 1918 Spanish Influenza strikes South Eastern Asia, a Chinese pharmaceutical company along with the Epidemic Intelligence Service and CDC are on a race against time to create a cure and prevent a future global pandemic. But when the new vaccine begins to bring the dead of those infected back to life, the military places the entire city of Minneapolis under quarantine.”

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5.0

WEED WHACKER HO! Contagion is back, under a new name, and it is ready to blast your balls (sorry ladies) to the wall! When the first issue ended, it left me wanting so much more, and issue #2 is here to deliver that. The artwork has been kicked up a notch, but you should be able to tell that from the cover image posted with this review. Not only do the character designs make my jaw drop from panel to panel, but the colors are to DIE for. This is one GORE-Geous book! Richards is great at depicting emotion, but I will gripe that we are not all supermen with out rock hard ab’s. Just saying, all comics do that and it bothers me. Not your fault Cliff, I promise. The story by Thomas is working on two levels. Level #1 is moving the story along. He has a great handle on getting from A to B, while still adding on what has happened and why it might be happening. Level #2 is the intensity level. Being able to move the story along while adding intense and relaxed scenes is not an easy task. Yet Z.M. does it with ease. This book is great, but I have a gripe. I need more of it faster! I think that this one would honestly work best as an OGN, or at least told in large issue chapters. At least then I am not left wanting more and more when I finish a single issue. If you find this book grab it, if you can’t find it go to the damn website because this is how horror comics are done right.

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5.0 • Story: 4.5 out of 5.0

If you would like to buy or know more about Dead Reckoning: Contagion please check out http://www.trepidation-comics.com/

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Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave #2 – Review

Matthew Sardo

May 21, 2012

Issue: Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave #2
Creators: Rick Baker, Kerry Gammill, Mike Hoffman, Sam F. Park, Jack Herman, Mike Dubisch, Joe Freire, Michael Leal, Kamil Kochanski, Neil Vokes, James Groman, Tom Smith, Nik Poliwko, Mark Owen, Linda Miller
Publisher: Monsterverse Entertainment
Release Date: May 2012
Price: $4.99

“A strange, pop-eyed sailor is released from a sunken ship after over 70 years; all who look into the eye have their souls sucked out! A masked Mexican wrestler battles a chupacabra to rescue a lady in distress. Film experts discover the horrible secret of a lost werewolf film. Dr. Vornoff builds a mechanical man to help him conquer the world. And a busboy learns of bizarre tastes working in a obscure Chinese restaurant serving dishes that are out of this world.“

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Anthologies, the life blood of the horror comics industry. The foundation to which the genre was built off of, still has such a solid base when you know that Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave is part of that great tradition. I can’t lie to you review reader, it is very difficult to review anthologies, when you figure that you are getting 3+ stories that all have a different story telling and artistic style. So not everything will appeal to everyone. Issue #2 of BLTFTG has to have been written just for me, because I enjoyed every second of every single story. The artwork in this issue starts off at such a high level thanks to the cover by Academy Award winner Rick Baker, but each story and pin-up does nothing to lower the bar. I thought that “Strange to the Finish”, “Lugosi’s Legends & Lore” and “Order In/Take Out Chaos” were the best of the bunch. Onto the stories, of those horror stories that just blew the doors off of one another. Hell I even liked the one about wrestlers! This is a great mix of monsters, that all complement one another. Personally I have to tip my head to “Order In/Take Out Chaos” and ” Claws of the Werewolf”. Everything about this issue screams old school horror meets new school approach. With the inclusion of an interview and the pin-ups this is a steal for only 5. I am beyond ecstatic that this issue is in my collection and I can not wait for more. There is a reason that Monsterverse Entertainment won a Ghastly Award and had so many nominees, they do horror right!

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5

Please note MV books are available in the UK via Hemlock Books. http://www.hemlockbooks.co.uk/

Comics from the MONSTERVERSE are NOW AVAILABLE at finer comic shops in the US and Canada and on Amazon.com! http://www.amazon.com/shops/monsterverse

MV books are also available in the US on Facebook via our Monsterverse Store at SHOP NOW. https://www.facebook.com/Monsterverse/app_135607783795

You can also download our books at iVerse, Amusedom and GRAPHICLY. Monsterverse on GRAPHICLY presents the best in modern horror stories told in the classic horror comics tradition. Publications include BELA LUGOSI’S TALES FROM THE GRAVE and the graphic novel series THE BLACK FOREST and THE FACELESS. Download now on your computer or mobile apps. http://graphicly.com/monsterverse

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Review: Flex Mentallo HC

Matthew Sardo

May 20, 2012

Stuck in perpetual limbo for over a decade-point-five from legal disputes and plagued by shipping delays, Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s Flex Mentallo is finally available to the masses in a handsome new hardcover. Highly autobiographical, this really comes through for those who saw 2010’s Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods, the four issue miniseries is an extension of Morrison’s prior work with DC’s Doom Patrol. However, how has the long gestation period treated this comic? Has the wait been repaid or does it belong to an earlier time? Was DC’s excavation of the mid-90s worth it?

Flex Mentallo may have gotten better over the long wait mainly because of Morrison’s explosion of popularity and notoriety. The writer of 1996 was in a different position re: his fame and celebrity verses the writer of 2012. Today Morrison, and Quitely too, are household names for comic readers. The same couldn’t be said over fifteen years ago. Ground breaking and innovative, yes, but not the veritable industries the two are now.

So, what does that mean exactly? Flex Mentallo is maybe the most illustrative examples of Morrison’s views on superheroes, the power of myth, and the transformative power stories possess. A large chunk of his comic output circles around the themes contained within Flex Mentallo so if you’re familiar with most of his other work, I’m thinking of JLA, Batman, Final Crisis, and All-Star Superman, you’ll feel strangely at home and possibly treading familiar ground.

Still, don’t let that push you out. There is still a patented Morrisonian plot at work here, associative and corkscrewy to boot, with impeccable art from Quietly who can take the reader from a gritty poorhouse bathroom to near-Earth orbit and into the seams of reality without missing a beat.

Consider Flex Mentallo as Morrison’s Big Bang. What you’ll seen in here, you’ve likely seen from him before, especially during the comic’s lengthy reprint hiatus. But, Flex Mentallo represents the clearest and most compact vision of what it is Morrison is constantly circling around in his other comic efforts. If the comic has aged well it is because readers have become inculcated, infected some might say, with Morrison’s ideas. Flex Mentallo is that secret germ that has multiplied and spread out to a much wider world. It begins here.

If you struggle with the writer’s more obtuse or thematically complex work, start with Flex Mentallo as your primer. For already established fans snatch up this keystone work as soon as possible.

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Zombie Chuck #2 – Review

Matthew Sardo

May 20, 2012

Issue: Zombie Chuck #2
Writer: Brian Fyffe
Artist: Brian Fyffe
Release Date: 2012
Pages: 32
Price: $5.00

“Chuck and Lily’s second adventure, in 28 pages of color printed on aged newsprint paper!”

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Zombie Chuck is back, and ready to party for Halloween! I was so excited to get my hands on the second issue of this series from Brian Fyffe, that he avoided me for 2 whole days at C2E2, just to drive up my want level. Building off of the first issue, we now get Chuck in color. This adds to the overall concept and feel of ZC in such a good way. Being a book that is directed at all ages, like Casper would be, it is important to utilize all of the tools at your disposal to try to attract an audience, so the addition of color is a step in the right direction. I really love Fyffe’s style on the entire cast, and while I thought that I the werewolves would be the coolest looking characters in this issues, I have to go hands down to the Big Blue Monster. He is awesome! The designs on the cast are classic in horror nature, but so fun in context to the story. The story itself is full of horror and comedy. I really get this old sci-fi movie vibe from it as well. Movies that were meant to be scary at the time, but when watched now have this fun monster feel to them. The story is great for everyone and anyone and added with the amazing artwork, it makes this book a clear-cut winner. I really hope that at some point we can get more than 1 issue a year, but it’s always great to know that when I go to C2E2 I can pick up the next one. Zombie Chuck is worth all 500 pennies.

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about Zombie Chuck you can find it at http://www.fyffo.com

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Product of Society #5 – Review

Matthew Sardo

May 19, 2012

Issue: Product of Society #5
Creators: Jon Michael Lennon, Leo Perez, Chris Newman, B. Alan Hubbard, Lauren Burke, Andrew Dimitt, Don Hills, Kyle Lawler, Donovan Klingal, Josh Filer, Mat Festa, Thor Fjalarsson and Sarah Hollings
Publisher: CheeseLord Comics
Release Date: March 2012
Price: $5.00

“Synopsis An anthology of Earth’s most disturbed persons. Product of Society features comics covering all known genres from a wide be selection of upcoming indie talents. It is an echo chamber for the despair within the human soul that makes us all products of society.”

Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
Dirty, Smut, Filth, Trash, Horror GOODNESS! Each word can only bring 1 oz of justice to the pages of Product of Society #5. I want to start with the cover art because that is just GORE-Geous! I want a story based on whatever is going on there. And the back cover is magnificent! Like most anthologies this book is filled with varying art and story telling styles. I really think that every single artist in this issue is amazing in what they do. They all have a unique visual voice that might not look like it’s neighbor story, but they all play together so well. Visually this book is a winner. So how do the stories hold up? What I always seem to notice in an anthology is some kind a variance in what I enjoy, compared to something that just is not for me. I highly enjoyed 6 of the 8 stories in this book. I did find that some could use a little polishing on the dialogue, but overall it is a solid collection of tales. The highlights for me were “Re:Salvation”, “Moon Shits”, and “Her Eyes”. Out of all the stories these 3 were my favorites. Product of Society may be a mature title, but what is collected inside of it, is solid comic silver. Polishing up some of the edges for future issues will easily put this book in a gold class all on its own, it is worth every penny.

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about Product of Society #5 you can find it at http://cheeselordcomics.com/

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Doctor Spektor Archives Volume 4 HC – Review

Matthew Sardo

May 19, 2012

Issue: Doctor Spektor Archives Volume 4 HC
Writer: Donald Glut
Artist: Jesse Santos
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date: February 2012
Price: $50.00

“Confronting supernatural threats and vengeful monsters, Dr. Spektor travels from Scottish lochs to cursed swamplands–and from the surreal dreamscape of the Egyptian afterlife to New York City’s Chinatown! Collecting issues #19 to #25 of The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor and a Spektor tale from Gold Key Spotlight #8, plus notes from Spektor’s secret files, including a piece on Dr. Solar!”

Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
Believe it or not review reader, I have never had a chance to check out Doctor Spektor comics before. Sure I have heard of them, but it was not until Dark Horse supplied me with this great volume that I had my first chance to really check this cast out. The artwork in this volume by Santos is fantastic. He does a great job of keeping the cast consistent from panel to panel. The man can also draw an amazing monster or two. I thought that the Leviathan and the Lurker were the highlights of the bunch, but each stories creature or villain could easily hold it’s own. The stories in this series do feel dated (70’s), but they can hold up with the horror detective tales of today. For those fans of Cal McDonald, Dylan Dog, or John Constantine you might want to check out Doctor Specktor. The same concept applies here, in that something bizarre is happening and it is up to him to solve it. Each story has it’s own tale, and they play out like a weekly television show. You have the mystery and intrigue to capture the readers from the start, but then they are wrapped up by the end. So there is a good deal of story to be had in these pages. My only downside was that I felt some of the stories we really good, but others were not able to live up to that same level. Overall this is an amazing collection, that I am very proud to have had the chance to look at. Fans of the horror detectives will easily fall in love with this book, and I think any old school horror fans will be happy to check this out as well. These stories can stand up with the best of them and this book deserves to be on your horror shelf.

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about Doctor Spektor you can find it at http://www.darkhorse.com

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Bloke’s Terrible Tomb of Terror #3 – Review

Matthew Sardo

May 19, 2012

Issue: Bloke’s Terrible Tomb of Terror #3
Writers: Jason “Bloke” Crawley, Mike Hoffman
Artists: Mike Hoffman, Rock Baker
Publisher: Mike Hoffman & Jason Crawley
Release Date: February 2012
Price: $8.95

“Another 6 tales to keep you entertained and craving more! Retro style artwork and straight to the point story telling, hosted by The Bloke and The Fearleader! The ongoing series from artist Mike Hoffman and writer Jason Crawley continues to help fill the void left behind by those classic mags we read growing up!

Miss those glory days of Horror Anthology magazines? Then look no further….”

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
6 more tales of terror are coming your way, when you pick up this fantastic horror comic magazine. Jason Crawley, Mike Hoffman and Rock Baker are not afraid to take you into the dark depths of the comic-verse within these 52 pages. The artwork is drop dead GORE-Geous. It screams out that it belongs in the horror world, with its amazing black and white image that will make your bones shiver. I really loved the look of every story, but I am a big fan of Hoffman’s style. Baker, whose work I am new to, is a perfect fit for this kind of work. The two styles combined to bring a me an eyegasm. The stories live up to what I think of as classic horror. It borders on a Twilight Zone kind of feel. Nothing is over the top gory, and they are short enough to contain the right amount of horror fun. I often think of these kind of stories to be like Aesop Fables, as you learn what not to do, to survive. My favorite stories of the bunch had to be “Green Fingers” and “Deja Grue”. This anthology can speak to old school horror fans as well as new comers. It has a great throwback feel that will easily win people over. I enjoyed this issue so much, that I am now going to start yelling at “Bloke” until I get another issue in front of me. You need to check this out, and if you get the chance to do it in person, say hi to Jason because he is there as “Bloke”.

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about Bloke’s Terrible Tomb of Terror you can find it at Bloke’s Terrible Tomb

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Rebel Blood #2 – Review

Matthew Sardo

May 19, 2012

Issue: Rebel Blood #2
Writer: Alex Link, Riley Rossmo
Artist: Riley Rossmo
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: April 2012
Pages: 28
Price: $3.50

“A mysterious infection is sweeping the land turning animals and people into blood-crazed killers! The food supply is dwindling…and you’re on the menu! How bad can things get? You’re about to find out!”

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Rats, the issue ended! Rats, are eating away at his flesh! Rat’s I need more of this series now! Riley and Alex are back with issue #2 or this Zombie-rific story and it just blows the doors off the horror comic book world. It is no surprise to me that Riley won the Ghastly Award for best artist of 2011. He shows off his skills in this issue so perfectly because even the rats creep me out. The nail in the coffin to getting a perfect score though is the way he depicts certain action scenes. Seeing a car on one page travel down a road, but being drawn 5 times and all highlighted makes this an animation sequence. Even the scene where the truck flips, just GORE-Geous. The story in this issue takes a little turn from how it was told in the first issue. With issue #1, there was a good amount of jumping back and forth to tell some back story on top of the “live” events. In this issue it’s almost all centered on current happenings, and only takes a look back once, for a nice change of pace. The dialogue is great from page to page, but it doesn’t live up to the same level as the art in this issue. I don’t want this series to end. I think that there is so much to explore within this world and it ALL needs to be presented, even if it is just to me. This book is balls to the wall horror mystery, a serious must read!

Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about Rebel Blood you can find it at http://www.imagecomics.com

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