Supergirl #35 hits your local comic book store next week, but thanks to DC Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has a five-page preview for you.
About the issue: As Supergirl gets drawn deeper into Leviathan’s plans and the search for her foster parents, the newly sentient Brainiac-1 drone realizes the one thing he needs to unlock the power of millennia of Kryptonian science is the Girl of Steel herself! With her focus on her Earth family, will the distraction make her an easy target for the mad A.I.? And how will Leviathan respond as she gets closer and closer to their plans?
Supergirl #35 is written by Marc Andreyko, with pencils by Eduardo Pansica, Julio Ferreira inked the issue, Fco Plascencia dropped some colors, and letters by Tom Napolitano. Jesus Merino and Plascencia worked on the cover, and Drew Edward Johnson gave us the variant cover.
Check out the Supergirl #35 preview below:
Are still onboard with ‘Year of the Villain?’ Comment below with your thoughts.
Postal: Deliverance #4 hits your local comic book store next week, but thanks to Image Comics and Top Cow, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive four-page preview for you.
About the issue: Mark has a reckoning with the sociopath he maimed, the monster he may have just created. Laura creates her own monster in the mind of young Pascal, and both Mark and Laura will have to accept the horror—and the power—of their own natures.
Postal: Deliverance #4 is by writer Bryan Hill and artist Raffaele Ienco, with letterer Troy Peteri.
Check out the Postal: Deliverance #4 preview below:
Animosity #24 hits your local comic book store next week, but thanks to AfterShock Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive four-page preview for you.
About the issue: The cruelest weapon is not a knife, or gun, or sword, or bow. The cruelest weapon…is a cage.
The series tells the story of a world where animals suddenly gain the ability to think and speak like humans…and they begin their revenge.
Animosity #24 is by writer Marguerite Bennett and artist Elton Thomasi, with Rob Schwager on colors and Taylor Esposito on letters. The cover is by Rafael De Latorre with Marcelo Maiolo.
Check out the Animosity #24 preview below:
Are you reading Animosity? What’s your favorite AfterShock title? Sound off in the comments below!
Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #3 hits your local comic book store next week, but thanks to Marvel Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive five-page preview for you.
About the issue: THREATS WITHIN AND WITHOUT! A serial killer released from Ravencroft, the commands of Carnage, J. Jonah Jameson, and SILVER SABLE! Miles must wrestle all of these while his mind is not his own! Will a connection to the Cult of Carnage’s collective subconscious give him an edge that pays off in the greater war? Or will that two-way connection compromise Spider-Man–fatally?
Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #3 is written by Saladin Ahmed, with art by Federico Vincentini, Clayton Crain is the cover artist, Erick Arciniega is the color artist, and Cory Petit is the letterer.
Check out the Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #3 preview below:
What do you think of Absolute Carnage so far? Comment below with your thoughts.
New York Comic-Con starts today, and DC Comics dropped a five-page preview of DCeased #6 this afternoon, the final issue of Tom Taylor’s tale.
“In this book, anyone can be taken off the table,” said Taylor.
About the issue: DCeased, DC’s brutal blockbuster, reaches its chilling conclusion! Humanity is on the brink of extinction, and only a few remaining members of the Justice League stand between life and annihilation. As the remnants of humanity make their last gamble for survival, will there even be a planet left to call home when all is said and done?
DCeased #6
Written by Tom Taylor
Art by Trevor Hairsine, Neil Edwards and Stefano Guadiano
Cover art by Mark Brooks
Variant cover art by Francesco Mattina and Yasmin Putri
In Shops: Oct 30, 2019
Final Orders Due: Oct 07, 2019
SRP: $4.99
According to the PR Department at DC Comics, there are spoilers in here if you look hard enough. Be careful if you don’t want the story spoiled for you.
A story about scientists having sex with aliens for the glory of mankind-and money.
Have you ever wondered what sex with creatures from outer-space would be like? Look no further, Vault Comics’ sex-filled space adventure—Money Shot #1 hits comic book shops on October 23.
Warning: Some sex-related and inappropriate jokes/thoughts may follow.
Some Foreplay (Story)
Money Shot #1 has a simple premise, “A story about scientists having sex with aliens for the glory of mankind-and money.” But Writers Tim Seeley and Sarah Beattie make it anything but simple. They could’ve had Money Shot read as just a silly sex adventures in space, which would have sold well. Instead, they develop characters that are fun and relatable. All while keeping the silly sex adventures in space.
The opening page of a comic will hook the reader. It is essentially giving the audience a quick sample of what’s in store. Be it with humor, awe, violence, an opening crawl explaining the plot, or shock. Money Shot #1 has an opening crawl giving all the necessary history, but the first page with art is the real ‘money shot.’
Artistic qualities aside, Money Shot #1’s opening page does its job perfectly. The art and dialogue are in harmony and stick the landing of a gotcha page. Check it out below.
The Kink Made With Ink (Art)
For a story that deals with humans having sex with aliens, Rebekah Isaacs’ art makes it seem plausible. Now, we don’t condone that. While Isaacs’s pencil work looks realistic, she keeps parts cartoonish. This bodes well with its grounded characters while making the aliens feel out of this world.
On the subject of aliens, the designs are great. Hopefully, several planets are explored, so more species can be exposed.
Keeping the colors akin to those seen on earth, colorist Kurt Michael Russell spices it up once on an alien planet. By giving the planet an overall orange/yellow tint, Russell makes it feel different to earth.
Writing on The Body (Lettering)
Relying on visuals for laughs and story beats, the lettering by Crank! never obscures the art. Whenever there is more dialogue than usual, Crank! maneuvers it as not to cover up the naughty moments. Crank! adds some unevenness to the aliens’ lettering, helping the sense of another language. It’ll be great in future issues of Money Shot if this theme continues, with each species letters/bubbles reading differently.
The Climax (Money Shot Conclusion)
The series title may scare some people away, or even the synopsis. But if comedy, drama, and hot alien sex is your thing, Money Shot #1 will have you coming back for more.
Memorable Quote: “I want you to fuck me, sexy fish-man.” – Dr. Ocampo
Money Shot #1 is filled with quotable moments. But for the opening page, this line throws you headfirst into how far this story will go.
Readers From Earth
Was Money Shot #1 your type of fetish? If so, let us know down below!
If Money Shot isn’t your cup of tea, check out our reviews for Vault Comics’ other fantastic series.
Even the most die-hard mall haters will be shocked by the revelations presented EVERYTHING #2, which releases this Wednesday from Dark Horse Comics. Sometimes corporate greed is a good enough reason to hate mega shopping centers. And then, there are days where you wish that were all that was wrong.
This cover makes you wonder what’s about to happen.
***SPOILER WARNING***
Things have been strange ever since the new mall moved in…and not in the way one would expect. Everything takes every dark thought and horror a person can have and mashes it into a consumer environment. The end result is something odd and disturbing.
Everything #2 continues to take the everyday items and turn them into something more sinister. While it may be a series full of bright colors – it is surely anything but a happy and cheerful tale. The real question on readers’ minds is: what exactly is happening here?
There is a lot of information stuffed into the second issue in the series, leaving plenty for us readers to pick up between the lines. Or between the panels, as it were. There are still many answers to be found. And the characters within the series are not doing much better, in regards to figuring things out.
Something seems a little bit broken about her…
Just by looking at the cover of Everything #2, it’s clear that things are about to take a more surreal turn. And believe us, this issue more than keeps to that promise. The leaning towards the weird and inexplicable is getting stronger, as is our fascination with what is happening.
Christopher Cantwell’s storytelling style is a unique one – merging multiple perspectives and tales alongside mock brochures; the result is something mildly off-putting. And there’s no doubt that this was the intention the whole time.
Each of the characters and perspectives in this tale has a purpose – but that seems to be varying dramatically. Some seem to be naive victims; others are coming off as significantly more sinister. It’s impossible not to theorize how all of their stories will end up tying together.
Actually, all of the perspectives seem to be having trouble in this issue…
With a plot as strange as this one, it’s probably no surprise to hear that the artwork can be a bit psychedelic at times. The surreal elements mash together with vibrant colors, creating something that’s both fascinating and perturbing.
I.N.J. Culbard was the artist for this issue, and he nailed the details in this issue. Some of the characters were indescribably and undeniably off in their behaviors and movements. It’s the sort of off that once you notice, you can’t stop noticing. And that single element sets the tone for the entire issue.
Steve Wands provided the lettering for this issue, and his work complemented the artwork and the story nicely. The lettering in the retro ads was exceptionally well done, but even the more minor elements were efficient and elegant.
There is something oddly enchanting about this scene, isn’t there?
Everything #2 was an eerie and fascinating tale – proving that horror can come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. The mystery inside what is happening has continued to expand, leaving readers more curious than ever.
The living island becomes home to a thriving mutant society in House of X #6 out this week from Marvel.
Jonathan Hickman is the man behind the charts. Pepe Larraz is the young gun artist helping shape the world of Hickman’s X-Men. Marte Garcia and David Curiel add the pearlescent purples and beautiful blues to the Krakoan oasis. The celebration on Krakoa radiates off the page as any mutant with visual powers are showing off what they can do. There’s probably a reason this issue uses multiple color artists; it looks like it was an absolute BLAST! (hehe)
VC’s Clayton Cowles reigns over the letters in House of X #6. This chapter is mostly a voice over, so Cowles doesn’t have much to do here except word bubbles, and lots of them. His standout moment is providing a fantastically drawn scream swirling down a pit into exile.
While this issue takes place mostly on Krakoa, the art team was able to flex and show us just how breathtaking the living island is. If you’re a living island, I would hope for some beautiful landscapes and lush terrain, and Krakoa is precisely that. It looks like a place that will make the world jealous that they can’t visit for summer vacation. Jealousy never leads to anything great.
No society functions without rules, laws, and ideals. House of X #6 establishes the basic goals and beliefs of mutants moving forward. The Quiet Council of Krakoa is made up of mutants with all different motivations, and each group appears to get an equal voice. The excitement I have for a future with a council consisting of the likes of Sinister, Apocalypse, and Sebastian Shaw is just indescribable. The guaranteed tension during debates that Hickman has opened the door for is going to be some must-read material.
After the first meeting of the council, the celebration of everything they have created begins. In scenes reminiscent of Return of the Jedi, mutants are throwing the party of their lives. Fireworks and other visual spectacles provided by the powers of overjoyed mutants light the skies above Krakoa. Old friends embrace and join together in laughter, children gather around the fire for tales of wonder, libations are shared amongst past enemies, and everyone seems to be embracing the new path that has been laid out before them.
Apocalypse does not look like someone that has just accomplished his life’s work. He sits alone in the darkness while everyone else celebrates. Is he rethinking his stance? Is he plotting for when the humans inevitably come to destroy what they have? Has he simply spent so much of his life causing others pain that he just has no one that cares about him? Is it all of the above? We will have to wait to find out. I hope the future sees Apocalypse asking Wolverine how to make friends.
As we have learned through this series, Powers of X shows us the outcomes of the events in House of X. Xavier and company have implemented their plan and have begun the transition into the new order, but what awaits them? Will the plan bring them the utopia they dream of, or will it unravel right in front of them?
With the last Powers of X issue heavy with information about machine societies, it only seems fitting that the finale will be right after mutants have established their lives on Krakoa. I think nano sentinels will infect Krakoa, and since “Make More Mutants” is one of the three laws, mutants will reproduce omega sentinels at alarming rates, and the machines will implode into a black hole.
What did you think of the end of House of X? What do you think will happen in the Powers of X finale? Let us know in the comments below.
Though Hulu might not have been on board with the story, fans are thrilled to see Marvel returning to the tale of the Ghost Rider. To bring the Spirit of Vengeance roaring out of the events of Damnation and Absolute Carnage, Marvel has commissioned one HELL of a team in writer Ed Brisson, artist Aaron Kuder, colorist Jason Keith and letterer Joe Caramagna. But like a giant, flaming motorbike, Ghost Rider is sure to be a difficult machine to operate. With a complex history and high fan expectation, does the Ghost Rider team stick the landing, or do they go up in smoke (er, in a bad way)?
Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Are Jumping On Here
If, like many of the people picking up this book, you’re not aware of Ghost Rider’s most recent activity in the Marvel Universe; here’s a quick primer: Mephisto is being held in the Sanctum Sanctorum. Johnny Blaze is King of Hell. Danny Ketch is swapping a mournful attitude for as much whiskey as he can drink, and the city of New York has gone a decent amount of time without demonic invasion.
Of course, that changes at the beginning of this issue, when Johnny stops a troop of demonic jailbreakers trying to flee into our world. To figure out their purpose, Johnny travels to Earth and teams with the liquored-up Danny, stopping a monstrous escapee before catching up with his brother/fellow Ghost Rider. But while Johnny’s on Earth, another force is building in the world below. Pretty soon, Mephisto won’t be the only challenger for the throne of Hell.
Ghost Rider #1, Page 4. Published by Marvel Comics.
You Look Like Hell
Fans of Ghost Rider’s unique look as opposed to the rest of the Marvel universe will definitely be pleased by Ghost Rider #1. In fact, Aaron Kuder’s characters are the absolute strongest part of this book. Kuder is to comics what Hieronomous Bosch is to classical paintings: the denizens of his Hell help build out a world that is entirely nightmarish, but in kind of a fun, circus-ey way. Kuder also nails the look of the Ghost Riders, portraying an aged, weathered Johnny Blaze and a morose, brooding Danny Ketch in a way that’s both respectful of the characters’ origins and different enough to tell a new story.
Of course, Kuder’s work wouldn’t read nearly as well without the madness of Jason Keith’s colors filling it in. Keith makes Hell a feverish, red place, far from the gloomy and cold underworlds of Sandman. Plus, Kuder’s work on our own spiritual plane isn’t bad either. Native New Yorkers will take note of the distinctions in tone that Kuder applies between Manhattan and Brooklyn, affecting not just the setting of the story, but the mood of the scenes told within. Maybe that’s because Kuder’s spent a lot of time in NYC, or maybe it’s just because drawing Times Square and drawing the Ninth Circle of Hell aren’t that different.
Ghost Rider #1, Page 5. Published by Marvel Comics.
Devil’s in the Details
Marvel familiar Ed Brisson brings humor and humanity to the world of Ghost Rider, ensuring this comic doesn’t lag as the reader goes through it. He handles Danny Ketch especially well; even if you’re not familiar with the character, you’ll end up liking him by the end of this issue. Johnny Blaze, too, is expertly handled in the story. He’s got a tough, “I’m getting to old for this shit” kind of vibe that’s refreshing in a book that could have easily starred brooding, over-monologuing anti-heroes.
However, the plotting of this first issue is a little thin. We can definitely tell there’s something huge coming to the supernatural corner of the MCU (fans will love the chart of underworlds found in the back of this book), but there’s very little actual information as to what that threat might be. Of course, this book is the beginning of a mystery, so the pilot issue shouldn’t contain too many reveals. Still, the structure of this issue might leave a little too much out, making the reader wonder what’s going on by the end. Basically, we shouldn’t be sure of much heading into Chapter 2 of a mystery, but we definitely need to know what the mystery is.
All that said, Brisson definitely gives hints of a larger mythos contained within the pages of Ghost Rider #1. Similar to what Marvel did with the Immortal Hulk and Venom, Brisson is working to retool a fan-favorite character into a horror-leaning antihero. For many fans of this trend and of the character itself, this will be a really exciting development. If that sounds like you, then absolutely pick up this book. There are big things ahead for Ghost Rider, and even if they aren’t 100% clear in this issue, you won’t want to miss where this story begins.
Ghost Rider #1, Page 3. Published by Marvel Comics.
Overall Thoughts
Ghost Rider #1 is not the strongest introduction to a series that Marvel has recently put out, but one can’t read it without thinking that something huge is coming out of it. With Johnny facing threats both internal and external and Danny questioning the purpose of his powers, there’s a lot for a good villain to use against the heroes in pursuit of the Throne of Hell. And when that Hell is drawn by Aaron Kuder and colored by Jason Keith, it’s absolutely worth pursuing. Pick up Ghost Rider #1 in your local comic book shop on October 2nd.
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Join DC Comics this Wednesday on a gorgeous trip through time in Legion of Superheroes: Millennium #2; no Rip Hunter time machine necessary.
You may not need a time machine, but if you need a refresher, check out the previous issue’s review!
Booster Gold Era Interior Art
Plot of The Ages
Writer Brian Michael Bendis concludes Rose/Thorn’s time-spanning trip through the DC Universe, ending in the 31st-century; the thriving era of the Legion of Superheroes team. This is no surprise, as it’s literally called Legion of Superheroes: Millennium #2. Plus, toted as a lead-up to the new series. That in mind, it’s more about the journey, not the destination.
Sadly this journey isn’t near as diverse, or mystery driven as the first issue.
With the introduction of Rose/Thorn’s immortal mystery in the first issue, Legion of Superheroes: Millennium #2 takes that plot nowhere. Bendis has Rose/Thorn aimlessly moping around time. As a character, she is so bland that any other person would have worked as well, or better. It seems she was used to not mess with other well-known characters. Or, showing DC still cares for their characters from varying futures.
Essentially Rose/Thorn has given up finding out why she is immortal, or what’s transpiring. But she does seek out the Legion. Hopefully, these questions are the reason.
Booster Gold Era Interior Art
Legion of Colorists
Legion of Superheroes: Millennium #2 features a multitude of artists and colorists, but not which page they worked on. Like the first, DC Comics lists their names in order they appear. But, the number of colorists aren’t equal to the artists. So, sadly we aren’t able to match who’s with who, instead here are the two colorists name: Tomeu Morey, and Jordie Bellaire.
The Art/Colors of The Future
Each artist/colorist brings their absolute best pencil (or digital pen) to Legion of Superheroes: Millennium #2. The art carries the pace and weight of the story throughout, hitting harder than any of the dialogue/story.
Nicola Scott’s art fits magnificently with Booster Gold’s Space Museum story. Her story is dialogue-heavy, but she makes the most of it. Having the characters conversation take place as a walkthrough of the Museum, Scott showcases holograms of past memorable DC Comics moments. The colors for this era are bright and popping, mimicking the stories they portray.
Bursting into the scene is Jim Cheung’s OMAC era. Cheung beautifully illustrates this opening double-page spread. Cheung is able to make OMAC look corny like his initial debut, yet terrifying at the same time. Color-wise, the OMAC era relies more on grays, while keeping OMAC bright blue.
As great as the other artist pencils are, Jeff Dekal’s pages should be printed, laminated, framed, and put upon your wall. Dekal’s double-page spreads should have more than the four pages allotted. Each page feels like a work of art between the sublime moments being showcased, and out of this world colors. The dialogue for these pages changes colors for Rose/Thorn when either is talking, which looks impressive.
For the 31-century is 2019’s Legion of Superheroes artist—Ryan Sook. The five pages dedicated to this era show why Sook was chosen as the ongoing series artist and designer. As his work is easy to follow, yet has a myriad of details.
Booster Gold Era Interior Art
Letters Seen in The Futures
As with most Bendis stories, there is a lot of words. Seriously, a lot. Letterer Dave Sharpe does his best to help guide the reader through the dense moments. But, in some cases it’s hard to follow, or it covers up the art.
Welcome Back Legion of Superheroes
The story does has a few fun moments, but Legion of Superheroes: Millennium #2 overall plot lacks. When reading through it it reads like a grocery list, alas, the art makes it worth the look through.
Memorable Quote: “I hope she poops my panties and goes catatonic.” – Rose
This was one of the only moments Rose/Thorn’s character shined through. Which, is a bummer, as she is a fun character that can be played in fun, interesting ways.
Reader of The Future
What have you thought of the lead-up story to the Legion of Superheroes series? Let us know below!
