Savage Dragon #234
Writer: Erik Larsen
Artist: Erik Larsen
Colourist: Nikos Koutsis
Letterer: Ferran Delgado
Publisher: Image Comics
I’m a big fan of Savage Dragon, and that’s why I picked this issue to review, but this will most likely be my first and last Savage Dragon review.
That isn’t because I didn’t like it the art of Larsen and his team are terrific and the story which is a blend of funny, dark, violent, and sexy is very satisfying. It’s not because of the nudity, which this issue has a lot of, but as an adult is just not that shocking anymore. No, the reason is that I can’t tell you anything about this series without dumping decades of lore/spoilers on you.
This is an ongoing series in which every issue builds upon the next. It’s a great issue and I recommend it but only after playing catch up.
Overall: 9/10
Green Lanterns Annual #1
Writer: Andy Diggle
Artist: Mike Perkins
Colourist: Andy Troy
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Publisher: DC Comics
This annual was a blast! Green Lanterns Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz are called to the remain of the Vaikean homeworld which had been destroyed millions of years ago to make a speech honoring the Lost Lantern. Yeah, I know this doesn’t sound super exciting, but there is more than meets the eye.
The art is fantastic, and the story reminds me of a great episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I also really liked how nuanced the personalities of Jessica and Simon were. I have never really read much on them and now I really like them.
Overall: 10/10
Bane Conquest #11
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artist: Graham Nolan
Colourist: Gregory Wright
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Publisher: DC Comics
I don’t really know what’s going on in this book as the first issue is #11 and I’ve read exactly zero before it, but I can tell you it’s pretty fun. Bane is leading a Secret Six type group hunting for something. Batman is working to stop him but not overtly leaving Bane super paranoid and he’s taking it out on his crew who are doing shady stuff in their own self interest as well.
Bane is in classic form in this book both smart and strong and the art is kind of retro which is fun. I definately want to learn more.
Overall: 8/10
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2018 Annual #1
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Anthony Burch, Adam Cesare, Caleb Goellner
Artist: Marcus To, Dylan Burnett, Patrick Mulholland, Hyeonjin Kim
Colourist: Matt Herms, Jeremy Lawson, Raul Angulo, Joana LaFuente
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
This annual has a whole check of a lot going on. Multiple teams spread across time and space all of which have their own story of fighting Lord Dakkon. It has big action, big twists and lovely art.
There are a lot of cliffhangers to it felt more like a lot of teasers than anything else, but that said.
Overall: 9/10
Weird Romance #24
Writer: Various
Artist: Ted Galindo, Warren Broderick, Fred Bell, Joe Sinnott, John Rosenberger
Colourist: Various
Letterer: Various
Publisher: IDW Publishing/ Yoe Books
A collection of weird romance comic shorts from the fifties. So if you like that kind of thing ( which I do) it delivers as promised.
Overall: 10/10
James L. Sarandis is a husband of one, father of two, and writer in three fields (comics, books, and film). Want to see my current labor of love? Check out EYE HAND VOICE at www.eyehandvoice.the-comic.org.
